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:

Van Halen’s 5 Greatest Deep Cuts—and the Wild Stories Behind Them May 12, 2025

Show notes

Coming up next, a crash course on the top 5 of the greatest tracks from one of Rock’s Heaviest bands, Van Halen. They had 3 different singers over the course of their tenure and in the process created some of the best hard rock of the last 50 years. Fans fight about what era was their best, but no one can deny the one powerful presence that linked all of the eras together… their Incredible guitarist Eddie Van Halen. And today we're featuring their 5 greatest songs that all should’ve been hits, but were never released as singles. It’s Van Halen's best hidden gems, including a song that Eddie was so excited about writing, he called up and woke up Sammy Hagar at 4 in the morning. Then, he coaxed him to write it half asleep over the phone… Plus another song where the guitar was so epic and all encompassing, the singer had no clue where to sing because there was no break. Plus another that made Rock and Roll dangerous again after DISCO had taken over. We have the classics and a special guest next on Professor of Rock

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How Improv Created Rock Legends—From Bon Scott to a Kid in the Studio May 11, 2025

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Coming up, we turn the spotlight on those spontaneous bursts of brilliance when rock legends threw out the script and created something historic on the spot. These are the unplanned performances that turned into moments of legend... including a kid who was traveling with his parent and wanted to see a legendary studio. He happened to play guitar and asked if he could sit in on a session. He played a riff so cool it made the cut, and the song became a classic. Then there was Incense and Peppermints, a song that Strawberry Alarm Clock was struggling to nail down the vocals. Everyone in the band tried it, but it wasn’t working. Then a random kid who was watching the session stepped to the mic and nailed it. Next thing he knew, it was a #1 hit. Then there was Bon Scott, who jumped on stage and jammed with AC/DC on a whim and became one of the most legendary singers ever! It’s a countdown of the Top 5 Moments of Improv Magic… NEXT on Professor of Rock.

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1970’s Top 10 Showdown: Beatles, Jackson 5, and a Legendary One-Hit Wonder May 10, 2025

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Coming up, we’re going to go behind the Top 10 songs of this VERY same week from the year 1970. 52 years ago. This top 10 has one of the greatest, most revered tracks gracing its ranks. Will The Beatles be crowned #1? Not if the Jackson 5, The Guess Who, or solo John Lennon have anything to say about it. Plus, we have some surprise underdogs and one of the most successful one-hit wonders of all time looking to make their mark. Find out how it all shakes down, next on our latest edition of the Hit Song Redux!

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Shawn Colvin’s “Sunny Came Home”: The Dark Story Behind Her Grammy-Winning Hit May 09, 2025

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Coming up next, an interview with the famous singer-songwriter Shawn Colvin, who’s renowned for her confessional writing and character-driven narratives... but technically only had one hit: Sunny Came Home but it was massive. It was #1 on several charts and won Grammys for record of the year and song of the year from one of the most iconic albums of the year it was released. And right in the middle of her Grammy speech, a rapper jumped on the stage and protested a rival artist winning over his group. Sunny Came Home is a classic of its time, and it actually came from this artist’s friend… Or her painting… Shawn Colvin loved her friend’s painting so much that she made it the album cover, and it sparked the idea for the classic song that was about a woman who started her own house on fire. The interview is next on the Professor of Rock.

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How “She Sells Sanctuary” Made The Cult Legends—Fights, Theft, and a Violin Bow May 08, 2025

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Today’s story has it all. A song by The Cult called She Sells Sanctuary that divides fans so much that one punched the singer Ian Astbury in the face. Then, a producer wanted to work with the band so badly that he stole their demo tape from his rival. And then The Cult's drummer stole a car on his way to the music video shoot and was arrested. And then the secret sauce of She Sells Sanctuary actually came from the ace guitarist playing his instrument with a violin bow. All of this happened with today’s hard rock classic. Today’s all-out rocker Ian Astbury launched this underground band into the international spotlight and made them one of the coolest bands of their time. Get the story of how The Cult fought back and established themselves as an iconic act for the ages. So Iconic that both New Wave kids and Metal-Heads loved them… It's the most mystical song of 1985, next on Professor of Rock.

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The Stories Behind Iconic Girl-Named Songs: From “Brandy” to “Beth” May 07, 2025

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Coming up, it's the ultimate countdown of classic crushes, heartbreaks, and unforgettable anthems. Some of these songs were written about real people, while others just needed the perfect name to make them timeless. It’s our Girl in the Song countdown, including Prince's Naughty Song Darling Nikki that Offended Every Politician’s Wife in Washington DC. And Angie, a song that Mick Jagger allegedly wrote to make peace when his buddy's wife found them in bed together. Plus Brandy (You're a Fine Girl), which made an obscure Girl’s name one of the most popular of the 70s. And another song, Beth, that Kiss hated so much, most of the key members didn’t even show up to record it, and then it became their biggest hit. Interviews and stories are NEXT on Professor of Rock.

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#1 Hits, Career Risks, and the Coolest Song Ever: The Ultimate 80s Countdown May 05, 2025

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It was a year of rock and pop magic. Today, we do our final top 10 countdown of the neon decade. It was year that saw Peter Gabriel replace his old band Genesis at #1 with the happy-go-lucky song Sledgehammer that most people still don’t know is about making whoopee. And then another #1 hit Addicted to Love that was written while its suave singer, Robert Palmer, was asleep. Plus, you had a music critic quit his big-time magazine to go write music as one half of the Pet Shop Boys… His co-workers mocked him relentlessly until West End Girls became one of the biggest hits of the year. And this is the year that included what I believe is the coolest song of all time… Something About You by Level 42. Seriously, if I could only listen to 1 song for the rest of my life… it would be this one. Can you guess the year? We have special guests and epic stories coming up next on Professor of Rock.

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From Coneheads to #1: How a Chili Peppers B-Side Became a Rock Classic May 04, 2025

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I got one for ya. Today's song Soul to Squeeze was cut from the Red Hot Chili Peppers' ground-breaking album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik. It was turned into a B-side several times, and then put on the soundtrack of one of the worst movies of its time, The Coneheads, as an afterthought… And then out of nowhere, it flew up the charts and became a #1 smash? Well, Soul to Squeeze did exactly that. The Chili Peppers had it all ready to go as a part of their famous double album, but at the last second, their label demanded they cut the double record in half. And since they’d already written a similar song, they just dropped it. They thought it was just OK anyway, so it was no skin off their noses. But as it turns out, Soul to Squeeze resonated with a lot of people who felt like outcasts. I guess everybody loves an underdog. Up next, we have the unlikely story of a second-class b-side from the soundtrack of the worst movie of the year that became a bona fide rock classic on Professor of Rock.

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Evil Anthems & Airplane Bathrooms: The Wild Origins of 80s Movie Themes May 03, 2025

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Coming up, we’re uncovering the backstories behind the greatest movie themes of the 1980s. Songs that became pop culture history. And some of these backstories are just insane. The Batman theme was recorded in the cramped bathroom of an airplane at 30,000 feet. And the former 80s frontman turned composer, Danny Elfman, had to run back to the lavatory every time inspiration struck with the next part. Another classic adventure score, The Raiders March, actually started as two separate pieces of music—but they were both so good, the director made him stitch the two songs into a single, unforgettable track. Then there was the ET Theme that was so moving that it made Steven Spielberg cry the first time he heard it, and then he actually re-cut the film to match the flow of the music. We’re telling these stories and more… Stick around as we count them down, NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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The Stylistics on Creating the Ultimate Baby-Making Classics of the ’70s May 02, 2025

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Coming up next, a conversation with The Stylistics, a band that helped carve out an Incredible Musical Movement in the 70s. One that would influence everyone from Prince to Judas Priest to Daryl Hall and John Oates with some of the best baby-making music of all time. In fact, the members of this group told me that a couple told them that they have 3 kids and all were conceived to each of their 3 hits: Like You Are Everything, You Make Feel Brand New, and Betcha By Golly Wow. Up next, they tell the story of 2 of the biggest hits ever including one that came from an old Country Bumpkin Saying that they turned into a classic and another one that has one of the most striking falsettos of all time. The story is next on Professor of Rock.

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