Music

Professor of Rock

The ultimate rock music history podcast for fans of the greatest era of music. If you’ve ever wondered about the true stories behind your favorite songs, or wanted to hear directly from the legends who made them, Professor of Rock is your new go-to podcast. Hosted by music historian and superfan Adam Reader, this show brings the golden era of music back to life with exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and deep dives into the songs that shaped our lives. This podcast uncovers how timeless tracks were made, the creative breakthroughs, the near-breakups, and the powerful moments that defined music history. Each episode is a masterclass in rock culture and nostalgia—whether it’s a chart-topping ‘80s anthem, a one-hit wonder with a wild backstory, or a candid conversation with the legends themselves. Hear the Stories. Relive the Music. Only on Professor of Rock.

Latest Episodes:

Bruce Springsteen’s Underrated 80s Gem That Became a Modern Relationship Standard Nov 27, 2020

Show notes

Bruce Springsteen has created countless standards of the great American songbook, next we go in depth on a song you may have forgotten about that is not only a modern day standard but a defining song about relationships in general . We break down the song and it’s impact in our lives and our culture.

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Eric Burdon of The Animals on Creating the Folk Rock Classic “House of the Rising Sun” Nov 23, 2020

Show notes

Was House of the Rising Sun the first Folk Rock Hit? Eric Burdon the lead singer of the Animals tells us the story of one of the greatest songs in history along with an appearance by Roger McGuinn of the Byrds.

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How the Bee Gees Rose from Collapse to Conquer the 70s: Top 5 Songs of the Gibb Brothers Nov 20, 2020

Show notes

The Bee Gees or the brothers Gibb. Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb have sold more than 220 million records over their storied career. In this Bee Gees documentary we celebrate their astonishing run as the most prolific group of the 70s and list their top 5 songs from Lonely Days to Stayin’ Alive, from Jive Talking to How Deep Is Your Love. These are the stories behind their incredible music.

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5 Hidden Gems by The Cure You Need to Hear: Deep Cuts That Define Robert Smith's Genius Nov 18, 2020

Show notes

The Cure is one of the greatest bands in the history of music. They are exquisitely unique and frankly unrepeatable. Though Robert Smith and company have influenced scores of bands that have followed they have created music that is so intensely magical and so deliciously soul invigorating it’s almost impossible to try and define it I’m sure that my story with this band is no different than your own. They were one of the musical institutions that saved me in the youthful coming of age period of deep confusion and overpowering despair that is high school. Robert Smith is one of the most gifted poets and singers of any era going back centuries. I will spend many more hours in the future, celebrating their deep and expansive collection of songs and albums but today I focus on 5 hidden Gems, from some of their greatest albums like Disintegration, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, and The Head on the Door, also non singles, album tracks, b sides, the Cure has so many that are better than their hits and I want to cover 5 today that you should either discover or re visit as they are life changing and massively essential. Let’s get into it.

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Ann Wilson on the Origins of Heart and the Story Behind Their 70s Classic "Magic Man" Nov 14, 2020

Show notes

Introducing a special interview with Ann Wilson of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Heart. If comic book movies are any indication of our culture, we are all curious about the origin story. Here we find out why Ann Wilson ended up singing and why her sister played the guitar. Because as You’ll find, Ann Wilson actually played the guitar before her sister. We find out the moments that shaped here. We also find out the story behind the classic 70s hit Magic Man. Along with Ann Wilson we get some insight from original bassist Steve Fossen and drummer Michael Derosier.

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How "Live to Tell" and "Papa Don’t Preach" Turned Madonna into a Serious Artist in 1986 Nov 02, 2020

Show notes

Talent, Vision and Ambition. Madonna had them all. It’s nearly impossible for an artists to be the biggest thing since sliced bread this early in their career and then pull a serious artistic statement at the height of their fame while continuing their peak. Well Madonna did this in 1986. After blowing up as the material girl with her multiplatinum blockbuster Like A Virgin album, she was preparing to release her follow up, True Blue which had various potential pop hits on it from the catchy title track, to Open Your Heart and La Isla Bonita all sexy love songs that would easily play to the masses. Instead Madonna went against all conventional record executive wisdom and released Live To Tell, a heart wrenching ballad about abuse as the first single and Papa Don’t Preach about teenage pregnancy as the follow up. Live to tell is a pop masterpiece that overnight elevated Madonna from pop idol to serious artist.

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The Story Behind Toto’s Underrated Ballad “I Won’t Hold You Back” from TOTO IV Oct 24, 2020

Show notes

In this episode we break down a top ten chart from may of 1983 starring Michael Jackson, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Thomas Dolby, Men at Work, After the Fire, Prince and the Revolution, Toto etc.. As we study the chart we focus in on a hidden gem from the band Toto. I Wont Hold You Back from their blockbuster album TOTO IV. Steve Lukather and David Paich tells the story about writing it and it’s impact since. A must see episode.

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Tribute Interview with Tony Lewis of The Outfield: The Voice Behind 80s Power Pop Classics Oct 22, 2020

Show notes

We lost one of the greatest voices of the 80s and beyond and when Tony Lewis the esteemed voice and bassist of the multi-platinum power pop band the Outfield passed way at just 62 years old.

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The Story Behind Glass Tiger’s 1987 Ballad “Someday” with Alan Frew and Sam Reid Oct 15, 2020

Show notes

We go back to the year 1987 to get the story of the beautiful ballad Someday by multi-platinum Canadian band Glass Tiger. Interview with Alan Frew, the lead singer and co writer and Sam Reid, the keyboardist/songwriter tell the story of recording with famed Bryan Adams producer Jim Vallance.

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Remembering Johnny Nash and the Legacy of His #1 Hit “I Can See Clearly Now” Oct 13, 2020

Show notes

Honoring the great Johnny Nash: the artist behind all of our favorite sing-a-long and feel by Johnny Nash. Johnny was a Renaissance man for sure- he was a great writer, an unheralded singer, who also was an actor and an entrepreneur. Johnny had a very interesting tone to his tenor with a velvety soulfulness.He added a Reggae flavor to his instrument when he became enamored with Reggae music in the 60s. We are grateful for his beautiful music..

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