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:

Revisiting ABBA: A Deep Dive into Their Legacy and Biggest Hits Apr 20, 2024

Show notes

Coming up, it’s a group that I swore I’d never feature on this channel. ABBA is one of the biggest bands of all time, with nearly 40 Top 10 hits across the world. After taking the 70s by storm, they broke up in the 80s. But by the 90s there was this pop culture campaign that put them right back in the spotlight. And today ABBA is stronger than ever. Honestly, I don’t know why but I’ve never liked their music. Call me crazy. But for today’s episode, I’m conducting an experiment… I’m doing a deep dive into ABBA’s career (along with one of their biggest hits Take A Chance On Me) to see if maybe I’ve been wrong all these years. But that’s a big “if.” ... Still, if any song has a chance to flip the script, Take A Chance On Me could be it. I gotta admit, this track is so catchy it just might be a gateway into the rest of their catalog. So, will I or won’t I change my mind? There’s only one way to find out. The experiment kicks off… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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How Al Stewart Rewrote Year of the Cat Four Times to Get It Right Apr 19, 2024

Show notes

Coming up next, the story of a song that was written 4 times! Al Stewart and his 70s chart classic Year of the Cat - that ranked from late 1976 into 1977… and was produced by legend Alan Parsons who engineered Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon was a bit of a question mark for a while. With this 70s classic Al showed a very different side of his music. He wrote 4 different sets of lyrics for the song, that’s how badly he wanted to get it right! He put this 70s classic together like a 5000-piece puzzle. Up next We try to piece it together to figure out what Year of the Cat actually means, with interviews with singer/songwriter Al Stewart and iconic producer Alan Parsons. NEXT on Professor of Rock.

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The Story of Zager & Evans: From #1 Smash to Complete Obscurity Apr 18, 2024

Show notes

Coming up, it’s a duo from Lincoln, Nebraska - Zager & Evans - who spellbound listeners everywhere with a prophecy that there will come a time when machines will completely take over…. humans won’t need teeth…legs…or eyes….that’s if man can even survive…

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Mark Slaughter’s Gut-Wrenching Story Behind Fly to the Angels Apr 17, 2024

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Coming up… an interview with hard rock singer Mark Slaughter on his band, Slaughter's biggest hit: Fly to the Angels. It’s one of the most gut-wrenching songs of its time that came from very tragic circumstances. Mark had come off tour and called up his friend to get his old girlfriend’s number. He was looking forward to seeing here after being out on the road. His friend called the next day, but instead of giving him her this girl's number, he conveyed the sad news that she had just passed away. Fly to the Angels came to Mark when he attended her funeral. Up next, it's a powerful story from Mark Slaughter on a song that became a classic on Professor of Rock.

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How Depeche Mode’s Music for the Masses Went From Joke to Prophecy Apr 16, 2024

Show notes

Coming up, legendary band Depeche Mode created one of the greatest records from one of music’s greatest years… 1987. The name of the record was of course Music for the Masses, and it was meant as a big joke. A joke that the band laughed about until it actually came true. This shy and introverted foursome went from playing in front of 3 people to selling out stadiums and they never compromised their art to do it. The story of the song Never Let Me Down Again and the record that took ‘em to the masses is next on Professor of Rock.

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Remembering Dan Fogelberg: The Voice Behind Some of the Most Heartfelt Songs Ever Apr 15, 2024

Show notes

Let me be clear, I have never met anyone who doesn’t love his voice...Get ready to discover the humble origins of Dan Fogelberg, a beloved artist who penned some of the most heartfelt songs ever recorded. Surprisingly, Dan’s journey began in the most unexpected of places: a frat house filled with drunken college kids. Like a scene out of Animal House! The story of how this intensely talented musician caught the attention of a future industry titan Irving Azoff, paving the way for a remarkable career that included ‘Longer’, one of the most popular love songs of the Rock Era. The song went to #1 on the AC charts and #2 on the pop charts just behind Queen and Pink Floyd. Up next we celebrate the 70s and 80s icon through interviews with the song’s producer Norbert Putnam and horn player Jerry Hay is NEXT on Professor of Rock.

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Rush’s Freewill: How a Printing Error Confused Fans for Decades Apr 13, 2024

Show notes

They’re Canada’s gift to the world! Even better than maple syrup, ice hockey, and Tim Horton’s… It’s Rush! This thinking man’s band has created some of the most intelligent rock this world has ever heard. And we’re all smarter for it. On today’s episode, we're taking a closer look at their album Permanent Waves and its key track Freewill. Both would defy all trends and expectations. Even though Rush’s rock contemporaries were embracing radio-friendly sounds and even kowtowing to the disco movement, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neal Peart remained true to their sound and the record proved to be a critical turning point… one that ushered in a new decade of innovation and even commercial accessibility, with one of the most ambitious songs the band ever tackled. The lyrics confused some listeners when they heard Geddy Lee singing the wrong ones. Turns out the factory misprinted them. Find out NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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How a Grocery Store Find Turned Hooked on a Feeling Into a Global Sensation Apr 12, 2024

Show notes

The insanely great story of the 70s #1 classic hit Hooked on a Feeling. It was done twice by Jonathan King and B.J. Thomas before Blue Swede took it to #1 in 1974 by combining elements of the first two versions in an original way. The tribal chant executed by Blue Swede perfectly turned this song into a one-listen classic. The song was then revitalized years later in Ally McBeal due to a dancing baby and then went global again after it was used to great effect in the superhero movie Guardian of the Galaxy, helping the soundtrack sell 1 million copies 40 years after it hit #1. The story of a classic song that has impacted every generation including an interview with BJ Thomas.

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The Chilling Story Behind Foreigner’s Gold-Digging Anthem Cold as Ice Apr 11, 2024

Show notes

Coming up, today’s band Foreigner took a frigid walk through New York City in minus 20-degree weather to nail down their classic 70s song Cold as Ice… a top 10 single about a gold-digging ice queen. A lot of people have wondered through the years if it was based on a real girl, and we’ll get to the bottom of that. Apparently, after finishing Cold as Ice, one of the song’s co-writers Mick Jones thought it was just a little too pop and wasn’t sure if it belonged on the album. But when his bandmates said they loved it, he came around. It was a good choice because Cold as Ice is an undeniable classic rock standard… Tag-teaming with me for today’s tale, we’ve got not one, but two founding musicians from this legendary band Lou Gramm and Mick Jones. And they’re both ready to give you a behind-the-scenes look at this frosty track… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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Black: The Greatest Song Pearl Jam Never Wanted to Be a Hit Apr 10, 2024

Show notes

Coming up... Pearl Jam came out of nowhere to sell almost 16 million albums in 1992, of their classic TEN but at the peak of their fame, they completely sabotaged their greatest song: Black. After their album Ten blew up, they hadn’t even released the best song from the record… With most everyone agrees is Black, Because of this the label was psyched knowing Black would push Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam further up the charts. But the band wanted nothing to do with this song being a hit. In fact, they did everything in their power to prevent it. Problem is it didn’t work. Find out the crazy story next on Professor of Rock.

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