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:

Exclusive Interview: Gary Numan on His UK Success, U.S. One-Hit Wonder, and Finding Peace Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

Up next, an interview with Gary Numan about several songs that shook radio in different parts of the world. The first one, Are Friends Electric, was a hit in the UK and it came from an out of tune instrument that was written as a science fiction story about the future one that seemed far fetched in the late 70s but one that is a reality now about android hookers… and back then it sold a million copies then the second song Cars was a hit right in middle of soft rockers like Christopher Cross, and Olivia Newton John and this song could’ve have been more different. It was strange and epic, and it came from an incident of highway anger. Gary Numan cut someone off in traffic and almost got pummeled because of it. It became his only hit in America, even though he had many other brilliant hits. He got so sick of it, he resented it. He began to detest it, and then, years later, another legend made him realize he was being a huge baby, and he was grateful for it. A great interview with a legend is next.

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FROM THE VAULT: How the Bee Gees Rose from Collapse to Conquer the 70s: Top 5 Songs of the Gibb Brothers Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

FROM THE VAULT: 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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When Kiedis Bombed Live and Loggins Got Fired—Then They Made History Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

Sometimes, taking a bold leap or making a risky move can seem like career suicide—until it isn’t. Coming up, we’ll reveal six incredible stories of artists who faced doubt, backlash, or skepticism, only to turn those moments into their greatest triumphs... including an up and coming singer, Anthony Kiedis, who had written a deeply personal song, Under the Bridge, that he hoped to release as a single. But his label execs wanted to see how it would do in concert. Then night he performed it in front of them he missed is cues and screwed up royalty. What happened next was beyond inspiration and convinced his label to put the song out, and it became his biggest hit… Then there was Kenny Loggins, who got a chance to record on the biggest movie soundtrack of the year, but he fell off a stage and broke several ribs. Kenny had to take pain meds and, in the process, sang the soundtrack songs in the wrong key and was fired from the project. But the firing allowed him to write his biggest hit, Footloose, which became a pop culture phenomenon. Our Countdown of the Top 6 Career Killers that became triumphs is NEXT, on Professor of Rock!

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The Untold Stories of 1972’s Greatest Hits: Bowie, Seals & Crofts, and The Hollies Jun 16, 2025

Show notes

Coming up, a year that was so great we had to reformat our countdown to 12 songs, truly compelling masterworks here... including the song All the Young Dudes by David Bowie, which he knew was a can’t miss smash. But he gave it to his favorite band, Mott the Hoople, who needed a hit or they were done. The song saved their career and became an all-time classic. Then there was the rookie Justin Hayward, who sent the legend Eric Burdon his demo tape, and it was rejected. But then, years later, Eric ended up covering the artist he scorned... As well as the Seals & Crofts feel good classic Summer Breeze with a melody played by a toy the singer found in the studio, that made it sound different than anything on radio… Then there were The Hollies, who were known for crafting pretty pop hits, who decided to rock out, the lead singer did his best John Fogerty impression, and the song Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress became a smash. But then he got sued by the man he mimicked and had to pay him half the royalties. It’s the countdown of the Top 12 Songs of 1972, NEXT on Professor of Rock!

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The Genius of Brian Wilson: A Farewell to Pop’s Most Profound Composer Jun 15, 2025

Show notes

Today, we have a very special episode of Professor of Rock, and I’m going to get right into it. We lost a true musical Genius recently. But Ya know.. I’ve been thinking a lot about it. And GENIUS simply doesn't cover it. For Brian Wilson, there should be a higher word or title for him that could never be bestowed up on anyone else in music history... Only him. In my opinion, He composed the highest vibrations in popular music-period. He was a light in a sometimes very Dismal world, and his music will continue to cut through the darkest times. I’ve mentioned this before, but when I started doing interviews, I made a list of 15 legends I wanted to have a deep conversation with before I left this earth, and at the top of that list was Brian Wilson.

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FROM THE VAULT: How Bon Jovi Rose to Fame with Anthems of Hope and Resilience Jun 15, 2025

Show notes

FROM THE VAULT: The thing about Jon Bon Jovi and his incredible band is the music they've created has always got your back. From "Livin' On A Prayer" and "You Give Love a Bad Name" to "Wanted Dead or Alive" and "It's My Life", their music gives us redemption and faith against all odds. Mostly it's music of hope, which is a powerful thing, especially in the times we live in. As Jon Bon Jovi says "You live for the fight when that's all that you've got". You got to keep the faith.

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The Wildest Rock Supergroups That Almost Happened: Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury, and Llamas Jun 14, 2025

Show notes

From rock royalty to wild misfires — today we’re covering the greatest supergroups you’ve never heard of… but won’t forget any time soon. We’re telling the stories of rock legends who almost joined forces but just couldn’t get it together… And others that actually made it to the stage and into the studio. Among them, there’s a soap opera-inspired band (featuring soap star Rick Springfield) that mixed reality television with arena rock, decades before it became a thing. Then there’s the band Hindu Love Gods that came together during a drunken jam session and accidentally cut an album that became a cult classic. We’re also covering two of the biggest icons in music history, the King of Pop and Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. They had a project that was thwarted by llama drama in the recording studio. That’s right — an actual llama derailed this legendary collaboration. Plus, the near-miss Beatles-Stones supergroup that could have become the biggest band of all time. It's next on Professor of Rock.

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He Lost the Bet...Then Wrote Their Biggest Hit in Minutes! Jun 13, 2025

Show notes

Coming up next, the evolution of one of the most legendary groups ever through their greatest songs…and we have all three principles here to tell the story of their sound and its impact on the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Crosby, Stills, and Nash. SO many great stories here in our Evolution series. Including their first album that blew up radio with harmonies that moved the soul, including the Suite: Judy Blue Eyes about a torrid love affair that’s break up was so painful the singer can’t even say the famous woman’s name and then there was the vinyl cover where the photographer set the band members up in the wrong order while sitting on a couch in front of a house…They were supposed to correspond with the group name that would appear above them on the album.. No big deal, he said, we’ll just go back after the weekend and re-shoot the cover shot. Problem is that when they went back to the house, and couch was gone… over the weekend, it had been demolished! And then there was the guy who bet band member Graham Nash 500 bucks he could write a song in a few minutes… Not only did he win the bet, but the tune Just a Song Before I Go became the famous group’s biggest hit. It’s an all-star episode… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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Kenny Rogers on “The Gambler”: The Song That Made Him a Legend Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

Coming up next is an interview with Kenny Rogers, a legend we lost a few years back… He was voted the greatest singer in the world several times by the people, and today’s song, The Gambler, his most famous one, is a major reason why… It’s a song that everyone knows and loves, even if they won’t admit it. It’s a song that changed the fortune of a computer programmer forever. A tech guy who was working a graveyard shift wrote the song, and in the process, he elevated a middle-aged singer whom the pundits said was done. They said at 40 Kenny was way past his prime, over the hill, they said his career was over, and left him for dead. But The Gambler launched him into superstardom. The song was so good that it became a hit TV movie and a metaphor that’s been used a million times. Up next, the making of a storybook song that grabbed an indelible piece of pop culture… in his own words. next on Professor of Rock.

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Celebrating Brian Wilson: The Musical Genius Behind The Beach Boys | Bonus Tribute Episode Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

Today, we honor the life, genius, and lasting legacy of Brian Wilson—co-founder of The Beach Boys, and one of the most visionary minds in rock history. In this special bonus episode of Professor of Rock, we commemorate Brian’s extraordinary contributions to music following the news of his passing.

Through exclusive commentary and historical perspective, we remember Brian not only as a musical innovator but as a fragile genius whose art transcended generations.

This episode is a heartfelt tribute to the man who gave the world God Only Knows, Don’t Worry Baby, Wouldn’t It Be Nice, and so many more.

Rest in harmony, Brian Wilson. Your music lives on.

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