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:

How a Label Secretary Became a Star with the Hit Dancing in the Street Apr 09, 2024

Show notes

Coming up legendary singer Martha Reeves of Martha and the Vandellas tells us the definitive story of one of the most famous and beloved songs of all time: Dancing in the Street. First of all, Martha worked as a secretary for the label and one of her duties was singing the words to new songs on tapes that would be dispersed to recording artists so they could learn the words… This led to her getting a shot at singing backup and one day one of the most famous singers ever gave her the chance to record his new song that everyone knew would be a hit. When Martha recorded it, her first take was perfect, everyone was cheering and excited knowing that was the record. Only problem is the engineer forgot to turn on the tape… Martha was pretty pissed which led to the next take having some relish on it that made it even better. Up next the legendary Martha tells us the rest of the story and how the song became a true standard on professor of rock.

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The Hauntingly Odd Story Behind Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm by Crash Test Dummies Apr 08, 2024

Show notes

Coming up… it’s the Crash Test Dummies hit song Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm. It’s a #1 song that was written about three different kids intertwined by an unfortunate common thread of isolation and suffering. “Mmmm” for short, was inspired by true life events, which made the song more personal and intriguing. The lead vocals were also weirdly authentic- delivered in an unconventional style by Baritone extraordinaire Brad Roberts and his unique timbre made listeners bristle with astonishment. Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm definitely has one of the strangest choruses in history. Today was take an in depth exploration into one of the most mysterious songs of the Rock Era, is NEXT… on Professor of Rock.

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Did Phil Collins Rip Off Prince? The Controversy Behind Sussudio Apr 06, 2024

Show notes

COMING up the story of the #1 1985 smash Sussudio by Phil Collins. Based on a made-up word…. One that just fell out of Phil’s mouth while he was singing. Even Phil had no idea what it meant. Unable to think of anything better, Collins decided to just make up a meaning. But as weird as it is, this song completely captivated listeners. However, as Sussudio started gaining traction as part of Phil Collin’s 1985 blockbuster album No Jacket Required, it also stirred up controversy. Critics noticed that its central riff was nearly a carbon copy of another huge hit from a few years earlier. 1999 by Prince. And not long after, Phil Collins confessed it was a rip-off job. But the question was “to what degree?” The parallels were unmistakable. But were they enough to nail Phil Collins for plagiarism? Find out… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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The Untold Story of TNT: AC/DC’s Signature Song That Never Charted Apr 05, 2024

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Coming up... the story of AC/DC’s TNT, the track that established the identity of one of the GREATEST BANDS EVER. THIS SONG WAS DESIGNED TO KICK YOUR BUTT… It took AC/DC to the stadiums and made ‘em the kings of hard rock. But not before lead singer Bon Scott had to change some of the risqué lyrics to get it played… but at the time it didn’t matter TNT didn’t chart then.. but decades later it has over a billions streams. TNT is driven by a SOUND Effect that came from Bon Scott that was a happy accident… It was his reaction to the power going out, where he screamed oy! and the band turned it into a chant...With a devastating dual guitar attack between brothers Angus and Malcolm young and Bon’s voice that sounds like the engine of a Ferrari Get ready to “Run for your life... cause the man is back in town… NEXT on Professor of Rock.

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Cheap Trick’s Journey from Rock Bottom to Beatle-Level Fame Apr 04, 2024

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Coming up….The saga of 4 guys from the heartland of America…Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen, Bun. E. Carlos and Rick Peterson who slugged it out on the road together, playing gigs all over the country. Cheap Trick was one of the hardest-working bands in the music industry, but after years of touring, they had hardly anything to show for it. They were hitless, a million dollars in debt, and on the verge of disintegration. But then a weird and wonderful thing happened…. they traveled to another continent to play some shows and found out that in one huge country, they were as big as The Beatles!! It changed everything vitally overnight… The story of their unconventional international breakout I Want You to Want Me and their album Cheap Trick Live at Budokan is NEXT on Professor of Rock.

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How ZZ Top Immortalized a Notorious House in Their 1973 Hit La Grange Apr 03, 2024

Show notes

Coming up… the story of ZZ Top’s 1973 classic La Grange from their third studio Tres Hombres. This song is about a legendary shack that operated illegally for over 60 years. It was a rite of passage for many in the town and frequented by famous dignitaries, who had a secret pact with the law to live and let live. Everything was rolling along smoothly, until ZZ Top wrote La Grange as a tribute to the house of Ill repute, and a geeky TV reporter, with a really bad toupee, decided he wanted to attack organized crime and had his sights on taking down the infamous Chicken Ranch. The powers that be were forced to close the ranch, once and for all, but ZZ Top’s Boogie Rock hit lives on. The legend continues…NEXT on Professor of Rock.

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Every Rose Has Its Thorn: The Song Bret Michaels Wrote in Heartbreak and Betrayal Apr 02, 2024

Show notes

Coming up the story of one of the greatest #1 hit singalongs of the late 80s, Every Rose Has It’s Thorn… From Poison’s hard rock frontman Bret Michaels who was absolutely devastated.… It wasn’t the Greek tragedy that the singer made it out to be, but the revelation of a cheating girlfriend left this struggling rock icon reeling with hurt & betrayal. Michaels drowned his sorrow at the laundromat at 3 AM with his acoustic guitar and out fell this perfect 80s power ballad… Even though the label warned the band not to release it because it would kill their budding career, they proved the label wrong once again… Next, the story behind a proverb that became the heartbreak anthem of its time on Professor of Rock.

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Journey’s Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’: A Cheating Scandal That Sparked a 70s Classic Apr 01, 2024

Show notes

Here’s a question. If you found out one of your favorite bands intentionally tried to sell out, would you like them less? Or would it even matter? Well, today’s band Journey was accused of selling out by an ex-band member, who said they cared more about the money than the music. After just one commercial album he quit. And I’m sure he’d have hated the next album Evolution even more since it featured the undeniable mainstream breakout single: Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’. One of the most gut-wrenching songs of its day… this track is all about how this lead singer Steve Perry’s girl cheated on him right in front of his face. And it became so popular that it served as the catalyst for a decades-long career of worldwide superstardom… Sell-outs or savvy rockers. Either way, I don’t think you could love Journey’s music any less. Steve Perry and Neal Schon! The story is coming up… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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Mick Jones’ Fiery Solo on Hot Blooded Set the Stage—and His Amp—Ablaze Mar 30, 2024

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So all I have to say is FINALLY. Today we hear from Foreigner’s legendary vocal and guitar tandem of Lou Gramm and Mick Jones that set the 70s and 80s ablaze with over a dozen rock standards and some of the biggest albums of their time. And they’ve finally been nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. One of the biggest snubs ever. Today they tell us the story of one of their greatest rock songs: Hot Blooded. Foreigner first played it in front of a massive crowd at Cal Jam. They blew up the massive festival and were cheered on to do something unprecedented at a festival. Play an encore, but they had already played all their songs. So they went out and played a new one they had been writing it wasn’t even finished so the singer had to repeat the 1st verse over and over. When it was over the tens of thousands were singing every word… They knew it would be a smash and the rocker was so scorching hot that the guitar solo actually started the legendary guitarist’s amp on fire. The story of the classic Hot Blooded from the 2 principles of this band is next on Professor of Rock.

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The Story Behind Orleans’ Still the One: Written During Laundry Duty Mar 29, 2024

Show notes

What a story. Coming up next we have principles John Hall and Lance Hoppen from the 70s band Orleans. These guys lit up radio for a couple of years with 3 big hits including 2 that are still played all the time. But then the group up and vanished… John Hall retired from being a rockstar and went into politics. Today’s classic 70s hit “Still the One” was actually written by a band member’s wife while she was doing the laundry. One story claims she wrote it on an envelope and one says it was a napkin but the band recorded it in about 15 minutes. It became a top 5 smash and conquered pop culture and was released on a record that had one of the strangest album covers of the time. The interview is next on Professor of Rock.

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