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:

Naked Rock Star Used Joan Jett’s Iconic Song as a Pickup Line at Her Hotel Door Oct 03, 2024

Show notes

Coming up, the story of an epic collaboration between one of rock’s most iconic rebels Joan Jett and one of the most prolific songwriters of the era Desmond Child. This rock legend had a bold, risqué song title that no one would dare play, but she had the riff to back it up. All she needed was some expert help to craft a radio-friendly title and some unforgettable lyrics. The song, eventually titled I Hate Myself for Loving You became a big ol’ hit, making waves in pop culture, with NFL fans, and even catching the attention of a fellow Hall of Fame singer who tried to use the chorus as a pickup line at her hotel door. You’re gonna love this saucy narrative…NEXT on Professor of Rock.

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Teen Forgot Lyrics to 'Hanky Panky,' Made Up His Own, and Scored a #1 Hit Oct 02, 2024

Show notes

Coming up next… an interview with Tommy James, a legend who technically recorded his first hit at just 15 years of age. He snuck into a club and heard today’s song Hanky Panky being played and noticed that the audience LOVED it. So he decided to cut the record himself. But he forgot the lyrics and made up some of his own. The recording wasn’t very good and he didn’t think it would go anywhere. The song was released and got some airplay. But it was forgotten until a few years later when it re-emerged after getting played at dance parties and then it was bootlegged and almost 100K copies of it were sold. 6 major labels picked up on this and a bidding war to sign the artist was brewing until a small label owned by a mobster threatened everyone and swooped in to sign this young artist. A short time later Hanky Panky hit #1 across America and to this day many people think the song was recorded by this now older artist. But come to find out it was the old crappy demo that many point to as the first punk rock song. The crazy story is next.

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What Happened to 80s Hitmakers Information Society and Their Sudden Disappearance? Oct 01, 2024

Show notes

Coming up. It’s a subject we’ve talked about quite a few times on here. How does an artist or band blast onto the scene and hold the world hostage for several years and then disappear as quickly as they came? Well, in 1988 the underground band Information Society took over radio with zero gimmicks and zero support from their label. It was all about their music. Their first song What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy) blew up the charts and had everyone singing along, as did their second Walking Away… Then they had another big hit and POOF, they went up in smoke and disappeared… From overnight success to commercial extinction, what led to the demise of Information Society? Find out next on Professor of Rock.

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How Dan Fogelberg’s Encounter With an Ex Inspired the 80s Classic 'Same Old Lang Syne' Sep 30, 2024

Show notes

Coming up, we celebrate Dan Fogelberg's The Innocent Age, an underrated masterpiece that deserves recognition for both its impact on the music industry and its timeless lyrics and musicianship. One of the most accomplished albums of the 80s by Dan Fogelberg, an artist whose achievements never get the credit that he deserves. In the early 80s, there were only 2 musical acts that had 4 hits from one album Same Old Lang Syne, Leader of the Band, Hard to Say, and Run for the Roses! … One was Michael Jackson and the second one may surprise you. A reluctant star who could’ve had dozens of hits had he chosen to. Get the story of the most under-appreciated artist of his time and his 1981 masterpiece next on Professor of Rock.

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The Truth Behind Rock’s Wildest Urban Legends: Separating Fact From Fiction Sep 28, 2024

Show notes

The world of rock n’ roll has many of those wild, fascinating stories. As time goes on, the stories get wilder and wilder…the myths get further & further from the truth. In this episode, we’re going to explore the Top 5 Urban Legends of Rock n’ Roll and separate fact from fiction from Mama Cass Elliot dying from choking on a ham sandwich to the Beach Boys writing a song with a mass murderer to Ozzy getting a rabies shot after some wild antics… Today we get the real stories of the stories that have been passed down forever on Professor of Rock.

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How a Toilet Brush Saved 'Dancing in the Moonlight' and Made It a 70s Classic Sep 27, 2024

Show notes

Today’s song Dancing in the Moonlight by King Harvest is one of the most beloved of the 70s. It is a happy-go-lucky singalong that no one can deny, yet it came from one from an absolutely chilling experience. The song’s writer Sherman Kelly and his girlfriend almost lost their lives in a terrifying ordeal right out of a horror movie. But the writer turned the evil event into one of the most positive songs of its time! When the band was recording it the song just wasn’t gelling. But in a strange twist, a toilet brush made the song perfect. Stay tuned for one of the craziest song stories I’ve ever heard on Professor of Rock.

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Guns N’ Roses Singer’s Sex Tape Ended Up on 'Rocket Queen'—A Controversial '87 Classic Sep 26, 2024

Show notes

Okay, we’re getting a little controversial here today. I mean, it’s unavoidable when you’re talking about the legendary and reckless Guns N Roses. As a way of introduction, let me give you their calling card: It simply reads “Sex, Drugs, and Rock N Roll.” Yeah, everybody knows this catchphrase. But GNR epitomized it. Especially on their 1987 debut album Appetite for Destruction. Which by the way is the biggest-selling debut LP ever. With their fingers hovering over the self-destruction button, these guys wrote bad-ass song after bad-ass song. Two of which we’re diving deep into today: Paradise City and Rocket Queen. And one of these, I tell ya, it may be the most controversial track of the 80s. Let’s just say it contained some explicit extra-curricular vocals. It’s pretty shocking. You’ll see why coming up… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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How Steve Miller’s Biggest Hit 'Abracadabra' Ended His Career—And a Fluke Revived It in 1990 Sep 25, 2024

Show notes

Coming up….the story of a hall-of-fame rocker Steve Miller of the Steve Miller Band who found inspiration for the lyrics of his last BIG hit Abracadabra when he saw another superstar Diana Ross take a MAD tumble on the ski slopes in Idaho. At first, he was solely concerned about whether one of the diva was OK from the fall, but, later, the incident triggered the words for a song that he had shelved for years! It’s a song that brought us pop-rock sorcery with a hook that’s impossible to shake, with one of the longest words in a chorus of the time… AbracadabraThat most would find difficult to rhyme to, but it caught fire around the world Even thought the record label offered no support and had given up on him since they thought he was turning into a dinosaur. but in a strange turn of events, the #1 hit didn’t really move the needle and he left music for 6 long years. find out what happened NEXT…on Professor of Rock.

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The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of Pablo Cruise: From Yacht Rock Hits to Stepbrothers Fame Sep 24, 2024

Show notes

Coming up, I have an interview with a real blast from the past band, Yacht Rock sensation Pablo Cruise… They had 6 hits in the late 70s into the early 80s, a few of which we hear all the time, including Whatcha Gonna Do, Love Will Find A Way, and Cool Love. But then they disappeared! Would they be forgotten… Not exactly. There were two major events that brought this band back to the masses…two major things that brought about their resurrection into pop culture. .. When the term Yacht Rock was invented they blew up again, as one of the foremost purveyors of the genre. And then at about the same time in 2008 one of the world’s #1 comedian/actors Will Ferrell wore their band t-shirt in his movie Stepbrothers and put them back in our collective conscience. Up next the two principals from the band Cory Lerios and David Jenkins tell us the story of their biggest hit including singing their song to someone at an airport to see if it would be a hit single. Plus the story of their rise to the top of the AM radio dial in the 70s on Professor of Rock.

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Did The Beatles Hide a Massive Secret? Breaking Down the 'Paul Is Dead' Conspiracy Sep 23, 2024

Show notes

Is it the most elaborate cover-up in rock history? Some would say yes. For today’s episode, we’re covering The Beatles, a band that was at the forefront of the cultural revolution, and that would go on to change music forever. However... there are some out there who would have you believe that The Beatles' entire history is a lie. And they say they have the evidence to prove it. It’s a story filled with intrigue, deceit, car crashes, doppelgängers, plastic surgery, strange mammals and a band that hid allegedly hid clues in their art. We’ll consider the evidence and follow the clues to see if we can get to the bottom of all this. Is there any scrap of truth to these incredible claims? Or are we just talking about a fun and entertaining urban legend? The Paul Is Dead urban it broken down from the clues in the albums Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, The White Album, Magic Mystery Tour, and Abby Road. Find out… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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