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:

From Tommy James to Billy Idol: The Timeless Journey of Mony Mony May 23, 2024

Show notes

Coming up, the story of Mony Mony, a song that was a major hit twice for two different iconic artists: Tommy James and Billy Idol. It was a smash in the late 60s and the late 80s and the iconic title came when the band had the song finished but couldn’t figure out a singable chorus with a filler word. Then they looked out the window and saw the iconic words flashing on a building. Years later Mony Mony was banned from being played at High School dances across America because of an alleged obscene recitation of the lyrics by teenagers. Up next, an interview with Tommy James and Steve Stevens, the iconic guitarist who played the #1 remake on Professor of Rock.

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The Backlash and Legacy of David Bowie's "Let's Dance" May 22, 2024

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David Bowie was the foremost musical chameleon, changing his style and persona numerous times and was always ahead of the times. But in the 80s, did he finally succumb to the fad of the times? Many called his catchy 1983 #1 smash Let's Dance a sellout… but no matter, there’s no doubt this single marked a major turning point in Bowie’s career putting his face all over the new medium of music videos on MTV. But the biggest aspect of Let's Dance might be that he discovered a guitar legend in the process… even if this icon spent years distancing himself from his biggest hit. The story is next on Professor of Rock

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Critics Hated It, But Let’s Dance Made David Bowie an MTV Icon May 21, 2024

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This would NEVER happen today. How about this for a cool rock story? So The Rascals coming off a big #1, wrote Groovin', what they thought was another hit. But one of the most famous record men in history, Jerry Wexler, didn’t like it. So he discouraged Atlantic Records from releasing it. Well, the famous DJ Murray the K was STUNNED because he knew Groovin' was a #1. So he cornered the iconic label head and said 'Are you crazy? This is a friggin' #1 record.' And he was right… Get the story from the singer Felix Cavaliere and co-writer Eddie Brigati next on Professor of Rock.

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The Unlikely Rock Instrument That Made Ian Anderson a Legend May 20, 2024

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Coming up… the story behind the signature song Locomotive Breath by Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, a figure who was disenchanted by the rock n’ roll stars of the 50s. Even Elvis repelled him… In an effort to forge his own path, and be like no other performer, Ian learned to play an instrument not normally associated with rock music as his hallmark for distinction and played it on stage in a style that no one could emulate. But it later cost Ian dearly, when he had major health problems because of the stance he took playing this instrument… Truly One of the most interesting icons of the rock era… Anderson started out scrubbing urinals and toilets and later was drenched in urine when he played a live show and a commercial aircraft dumped waste from up in the sky. We also break down his prog rock classic Locomotive Breath spawned from a fear of the future world. It was the lead single from an album with a cover image that… scared the living hell out of me. It’s all coming up next on Professor of Rock.”

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Nile Rodgers Turned Club Rejection into the #1 Hit Le Freak May 18, 2024

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Today, we’re on a two-song collision course with two irresistible, big-time #1 hits by Chic that ruled radio for years. The first song Le Freak was inspired by a New Year’s Eve outing gone horribly wrong. Standing in the freezing cold outside an iconic nightclub, Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards were humiliated as they were barred from entering… while their music was blasting inside. So they got revenge by writing Le Freak, a fiery track that had the F-BOMB in the title and the chorus… This was in the 70s so of course it would never make it to radio… so they had to come up with a different word to replace the F-bomb. The second song, Good Times took its inspiration from a very unlikely source and is the most ripped-off bass line ever. In fact, after one band swiped a piece of their song, these guys were accused of being copy-cats even though it originated with them! Get ready, because we’ve got two crazy stories for you. NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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Frankie Valli Sold 100 Million Records, but the Mob Took Every Dime May 17, 2024

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The Rise of Duran Duran: Defining the MTV Generation May 16, 2024

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Coming up next, we're covering Duran Duran, the band that epitomized the 80s. In fact, you couldn’t really call the 80s the 80s without these guys, the identity of the 80s is wrapped up in this band. Duran Duran made a revolutionary music video for Hungry Like the Wolf that was initially rejected by American audiences. But the timing was perfect because MTV was a fledgling channel and when the two came together it was a match made in heaven… Even now the question has to be asked, did Duran Duran make MTV or did MTV make Duran Duran? Hungry Like the Wolf was a modern-day take on Little Red Riding Hood, mixed with one of the band members’ girlfriend’s iconic laugh. This song really didn’t gel until it was remixed with a rock edge. Find out the story of a classic next on Professor of Rock.

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How Duran Duran’s Hungry Like the Wolf Redefined the 80s May 15, 2024

Show notes

Coming up next … Over the last few years I’ve shared hundreds of interviews… And in celebration of hitting 1 million subs, today, I’m sharing my favorite interview of all time. One that I personally watch every month, you’ll find out why next… It’s my most personal episode of Professor of Rock and it's coming up next.

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Exclusive Interview with Kevin Cronin: The Stories Behind REO Speedwagon’s Classics May 14, 2024

Show notes

Before REO Speedwagon became a household name, they had two big songs that changed everything for them: Roll With the Changes and Time for Me to Fly. As you‘ll see in the upcoming interview with lead singer Kevin Cronin, their breakthrough hit came while he was driving his Ford Pinto from his home in the Midwest to LA to make it in the music industry… As he was driving he had a paper bag full of snacks and this song came to him on the freeway so he hurried and wrote it down on this paper bag… It became a signature song for REO Speedwagon but then when he met one of his heroes years later, he made a comment that he may have ripped his previous hit off… Let’s see what Kevin says about it. Next on Professor of Rock.

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Jon Bon Jovi’s Runaway: How a Rejected Demo Launched a Rock Icon May 13, 2024

Show notes

From studio gopher to global superstar, Jon Bon Jovi spent years chasing his big break. Working the club circuit as an underage teenager, Jon was shocked one night when his musical idol Bruce Springsteen jumped on stage and started duetting with him! Actually, he was singing The Boss's song at the time. Pretty cool. Later when Bon Jovi finally got a demo for his song Runaway recorded, he was rejected by every record label in the biz. And he thought that maybe it was time to call it quits. But in a last-ditch effort, he decided to sneak into a New York radio station and pitch Runaway straight to the DJ… The DJ ended up playing it and virtually overnight the song was a hit and set this singer up for a record label and a major tour… the only problem was Jon didn’t even have a band! Up next, the story of Jon Bon Jovi’s tenacity, and how he formed a band after Runaway hit it big and transformed a would-be pop idol into a hard rock icon NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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