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 Lynyrd Skynyrd Predicted Their Downfall With “That Smell” Mar 06, 2024

Show notes

It was only a matter of time, but today’s featured band was going down in flames. One of their album covers even predicted it. And so did one of their songs… Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote That Smell in 1977… It was an eerily prophetic rocker that warned them there would be hell to pay. They posed on their album cover with flames around them! Honestly, no one worked harder than Ronnie Van Zant and the boys of Lynyrd Skynyrd, but the problem was no one partied harder either… and it was nearly to the point of self-destruction. Their trail of carnage included knock-down-drag-out brawls, punched-out teeth, furniture flying out of fifth-story windows, cutting and maiming their guitarist's hands the night before a big show, and one time when the lead singer tried to throw someone out of a plane… mid-flight. I mean come on… that’s pretty insane. Blacklisted from hotels and airlines alike, it all came to a tragic conclusion on October 20, 1977. After that day, this band would never be the same again. The story of two classic hits from their 70s classic album Street Survivors: What’s Your Name and That Smell….Brace yourself, this one’s as crazy as rock and roll gets… The story is coming up… NEXT on Professor of Rock.

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Rock, Disco, and Stalkers: Unpacking 1979’s Top 10 Chart Hits Mar 05, 2024

Show notes

It’s a blast from the past from the golden age of rock. Today, we’re going behind the Top 10 songs from this very same week in the year 1979 to find out which one is the biggest Hit all these years later. And as we count them down, we’re bringing you some crazy stories you won’t want to miss… Stories of stalkers, ill-advised f-bombs, ladies of the night, and yes, even spandex… But the question is, which of today’s countdown contenders will ultimately claim the crown? It’s Rock vs. Disco and We’ve got the Doobies, we’ve got Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart … we’ve got Neil Young’s backup singer, and we’ve got the legendary band who matched the Beatles with 6 straight #1 hits… And what are we doing talking about the Karate Kid in a '70s episode? Hey, there’s only one way to find out. I promise you, there’s no other show like this on YouTube. And it’s coming your way… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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A Whiter Shade of Pale: The Cryptic Classic That Dominated 1967’s Summer of Love Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

Coming up, the story of a song that writers Gary Brooker and Keith Reid said was like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. A Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum the song that would sell 10 million copies and the band name most people had no idea how to say! A Whiter Shade of Pale was Very complex and in the end, the song was over 10 minutes long…it had so many layers and lyrical twists and turns it was like a foreign film…. Problem is this was in a time when radio wouldn’t play songs over 4 minutes long so the band had to figure out how to trim it. This meant leaving two whole verses on the cutting room floor… The song became an instant classic and the de facto hit of one of 1967 the Summer of Love... In fact when Paul McCartney heard it he freaked out. It didn’t sound like anything on radio but would anyone ever hear the full song? Also, could anyone solve or decode this cryptic song… after it went to the top of the charts the world over...on its way to selling 10 million copies the band behind it fractured immediately. would they ever have another hit? It’s the story of a classic that many legends wished they had written... on Professor of Rock.

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Mad World: How Tears for Fears Turned Childhood Trauma Into an 80s Classic Mar 02, 2024

Show notes

Coming up the story behind a song about the trauma the artist endured during his childhood. Mad World by Tears for Fears came from a very dark place. Singer Roland Orzabal felt alienated by the world around him but found no shelter at home because of his abusive parents. Every ounce of emotion he felt went into this 80s classic, but the problem is when he went to record it, he discovered his voice didn’t effectively deliver what he was trying to express. It made him question whether he should even record or finish the song. So he turned to a friend, a fellow musician named Curt Smith who also had a painful childhood and he became the song’s interpreter, the result was something magical. The recording became an international smash from Tear of Fears' debut album The Hurting... It had such an impact, that it was reimagined for the Donnie Darko motion picture soundtrack that attracted a new generation of fans 20 years later When Gary Jules covered it. the story of this unforgettable hit is NEXT on Professor of Rock.

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The Story Behind Your Mama Don’t Dance: How Messina Turned His Dad’s Rock Hate Into a 70s Classic Mar 01, 2024

Show notes

Coming up next, an interview with both members of one of the greatest groups or duos of the 70s… Loggins and Messina on a song that was charmed from the get-go…. Jim Messina’s dad HATED rock and Roll. He used to yell at his song for playing the loud music. So Messina wrote a song about it. He called it Your Mama Don’t Dance and then put the lyrics: your Daddy Don’t Don’t Rock and Roll. After he Showed it to Kenny Loggins who helped him finish it, the song became an all-time classic… and get this, the song was inspired by the king of rock and roll Elvis, and then the King Elvis Presley covered it. This group was elated when they heard his version that is until he forgot the lyrics! Then in the 80s it was covered again and hit the charts all over again when the hard rock glam metal band Poison did it. Up next an interview with both of these legends on Professor of Rock.

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How America’s Ventura Highway Inspired Prince and Confused Fans with Its Mystical Lyrics Feb 29, 2024

Show notes

Coming up an interview with one of the biggest-selling bands of the 70s, America led by Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley and Dan Peek. Here the 2 principals Dewey and Gerry give us the story of a song that became their third consecutive top 10 hit and a radio staple of the early decade, Ventura Highway. The song conjured up imagery of a wondrous and mystical destination, although the group has taken flack for decades for some of the lyrics… including one about flying alligators? or maybe listeners just heard them wrong? One strange lyric was used by Prince a decade later in a song and a record that would blow up… Purple Rain but then America was the first to use it in a pop song… Maybe Prince was listening.! Featuring one of the most creative guitar lines of the time, Ventura Highway is a sonic time machine and will take you back to the carefree 70s in an instant. the interview is next on Professor of Rock.

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How The Doors Hustled Their Way to Success After Break on Through Flopped Feb 28, 2024

Show notes

Up next a story that will shock you. One of rock’s most legendary bands ever... the Doors had a helluva time before they broke out. First of all they almost didn’t get signed. They were highly touted to a label exec who went to see them live and he didn’t get them at all. He didn’t want to sign them. He thought Jim Morrison was just OK. Then they got fired from a standing gig at a prestigious venue for playing a controversial song… then their debut single which everyone knows by heart… Break on Through which has since become one of the most recognizable rock songs ever only went to #126 on the charts…. the band devised a plan… between the band members and their friends they called and flooded radio request lines to get their song to the top of the charts.. See how they finally hit #1 next on Professor of Rock

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Afternoon Delight: The Sexy Singalong That Took the 70s by Storm Feb 27, 2024

Show notes

Coming up… A song that has been hailed as one of the sexiest ever recorded, yet it's also landed on lists for being one of the worst songs of all time. Afternoon Delight by Starland Vocal Band… Love it or hate it, its impact on pop culture is undeniable. Created by a classmate of a former President, Bill Danoff and his future wife Taffy Nivert... it was inspired by the lunch menu at a diner in Washington, D.C. Bill and Taffy are the same couple who wrote John Denver’s hit Take Me Home Country Roads. Afternoon Delight skyrocketed this new band to fame, even scoring them their own TV show featuring a then-unknown comedian named David Letterman. Although we all know Afternoon Delight as a fun and easy singalong, the revered producer Milt Okun and engineer Phil Ramone behind it considered it to be one of the most complex songs they ever worked on Join us as we uncover the fascinating tale behind this unforgettable one-hit wonder of the Rock Era…NEXT…on Professor of Rock.

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John Fogerty Sued for Sounding Like Himself: The Bizarre Story Behind His 1985 Hit Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

Coming up, we’re putting some of the most iconic musicians on trial. and giving you some of the craziest lawsuits in history along with their verdicts… From stolen songs like John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival being sued for sounding too much like himself. …to a tragedy where Ozzie Osbourne was sued due to his song allegedly killing someone. Then Beatle George Harrison was sued for ripping of a song from a decade earlier by an all-girl band named The Chiffons and then during the trial that same girl group would cover his alleged ripped-off song, My Sweet Lord… The one they say he ripped off ??? Then another one where Vanilla Ice, who ripped off the legendary rock group Queen and decided to buy the full copyright to their song because it would be cheaper than the legal fees. You won’t believe some of these… 5 great stories coming up next!

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The Monkees vs. Their Producer: How "I’m a Believer" Became the #1 Hit of the Year Feb 24, 2024

Show notes

Even though they were branded as the 2nd coming of the Beatles…today’s band wasn’t actually a band at all. The Monkees were the ultimate pretenders… actors assembled to play struggling musicians on TV. But you know what? The struggle was real. Unhappy with faking it, this manufactured band wanted to prove they could play. But their musical supervisor Don Kirshner wouldn’t let ‘em. Davey Jones, Mickey Dolenz, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith could sing and they could dance… but they were forbidden to play their own instruments. The tension then got so bad, that Michael Nesmith called their Future #1 hit song crap. I’m A Believer, written by Neil Diamond was the song….Pissing off their producer, Nesmith was actually banned from the studio while it was being recorded. And the conflict wouldn’t end there. He then called their second album “the worst in the history of the world.” It’s the crazy story of how four pretenders went head to head with one of the industry’s biggest hitmakers… But was there any way they could win? Find out … NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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