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:

"Sabotage": The Furious Anthem Born Out of a Producer’s Outburst Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

I’m not going to lie, today’s song might hurt a little. That’s because this killer track is like a Kick in the teeth. It’s as hard as nails, and so ferocious you have to crank it up whenever you hear it… and then crank it up some more. SABOTAGE but the Beastie Boys...But this high-octane assault on the ears almost didn’t make it. It sat on the shelf for a year. The band couldn’t think of any lyrics. Turns out, The B-Boys were a little distracted. Their studio had a skate ramp and a basketball court and they were always messing around. Finally, two weeks before their deadline, their producer got so frustrated he YELLED AT them to finish just one song. So in a moment of smart-ass inspiration, Ad Rock spit out a verse about how this producer was stifling their creativity by making them work. Turns out, that was all the Beastie Boys needed to turn what was supposed to be an instrumental track into the iconic hit Sabotage from their classic album Ill Communication. Plus there’s the hilarious music video to talk about as well. That’s a whole other story. We’re gonna break it all down for you with Ad Rock, MCA and Mike D… NEXT on Professor of Rock.

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How Weird Al’s "Amish Paradise" Sparked Backlash From a Furious Icon Feb 10, 2024

Show notes

Coming up, it’s the unbelievable story of 5 artists who passed on collaborating with one of the most iconic musicians of the past four decades. Weird Al Yankovic….Working with this guy was a golden opportunity that only came by his request. With a steady stream of hit albums including Dare to Be Stupid and Even Worse and a catalog of legendary songs, like Eat It, Fat, and Amish Paradise and Smells Like Nirvana and so many unforgettable music videos to go along with them… it was extremely rare for anyone to tell Weird Al Yankovic “no.” But these guys did! Passing up on an opportunity of a lifetime. I mean, the members of Nirvana even estimated they sold an additional million records after agreeing to allow Al to parody their song. So what made these 5 bold musicians so bold as to turn him down? We’ll find out plus we’ll get the story of one artist who agreed to collaborate when Weird Al did Amish Paradise. but flipped out about it after the Al released the parody of his song… Stick around for an intriguing story NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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Is "Come Sail Away" About Aliens? The Truth Behind Styx’s Signature Song Feb 09, 2024

Show notes

Coming up a wonderful conversation with one of the 70s and 80s great rock frontmen… Dennis DeYoung formerly of Styx about his old band’s signature song. Styx was always the bridesmaids opening for some of the biggest rock acts of the day including Kiss, Aerosmith and Rush but the 70s rock anthem “Come Sail Away" made ‘em kings of the arena… and they sold out their share because of it. Dennis wrote Come Sail Away for the underdog but its tempo change confused listeners as it went from a deceptively slow ballad to an all out rocker! Is it about an alien abduction? Some say it is... Well this song may seem like a fantasy but it’s 100% true… Coming up next we find out what the band’s promo man and guitarist Tommy Shaw did to get radio to play for the song and how it’s haunted geeks across the world who tried to slow dance to this song only to find out it was a fast song.

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Rick Springfield’s Double Life: Soap Star, Rocker, and the Truth Behind "Don’t Talk to Strangers" Feb 08, 2024

Show notes

Was he a soap star turned rocker? Or a rockstar who just happened to play a doctor on TV? Back in the early 80s, this was a ridiculous debate that the music press couldn’t seem to figure out. But the answer was simple. It didn’t matter. Rick Springfield was a multi-talented performer who was at home both in the studio and behind the camera. And you’ve got to give him credit while living the life of a pop star on two fronts, somehow he managed to write some of the biggest hits of the day. From Jessie’s Girl to Love Is Alright Tonite from Affair of the Heart to today’s featured track Don’t Talk To Strangers, even though many think he's a one hit wonder because of Jessie's Girl, but the reality is he's had 17 hits. Don't Talk to Strangers Is a song he actually wrote in a state of frenzied paranoia. Worried that his girl was cheating on him while he was on the road… in reality he was the one who was being unfaithful. It’s a crazy story. And as an added bonus, we’re giving the story straight from Rick Springfield himself as I had the privilege of interviewing him. It’s all coming up… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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Janis Joplin’s "Piece of My Heart": The Song That Crowned the Queen of Rock Feb 07, 2024

Show notes

Coming up, the story of a song that epitomized the struggles, the triumphs, and the tragedy surrounding the artist that performed its signature interpretation. Piece of My Heart by the great Janis Joplin. In an instant, Janis became the Queen of Rock… Nobody had ever really heard anything quite like it. With her incredible performance, this Showstopping Female Rocker put everyone on notice. And Although her aborted career was fast & furious, Janis is regarded as one of the all-time greatest vocalists. Piece of My Heart was actually a cover song. But Janis re-imagined it in an explosive performance that came after being bullied in school for her acne and told by some adults she would end up in jail or an institution… Instead, Janis set the bar for every rock singer who came after. the story is …next on Professor of Rock.

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Joe Walsh’s Wildest Rock ‘n’ Roll Antics Behind the 70s Classic "Life’s Been Good" Feb 07, 2024

Show notes

This the craziest rock and roll story you’ll ever hear….“In 1979, Eagles Hall of Fame guitarist Joe Walsh, announced he was running for President of the United States, with a campaign promise of "free gas for everyone” if he won. His antics became world famous,,, He actually tried to circumcise Eagles singer Don Henley when he was drunk, He Drove a Lincoln town into a hotel swimming pool But, that’s nothing he caused 100s of thousands of dollars of damage when he took a chainsaw to another hotel room and we have the theme song for his failed campaign, "Life’s Been Good” a 70s rock classic which was the autobiography of his legendary hedonism. The crazy story is coming up NEXT on Professor of Rock.

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Interview: Feel Like Makin’ Love, Paul Rodgers on Bad Company's Explosive 70s Classic Feb 06, 2024

Show notes

Coming up an interview with a certified finalist for the heavyweight title of the greatest rock singer in history on a classic rock staple. Paul Rodgers has fronted several rock bands including Free, Bad Company, the Firm, and The Law. Today he tells us the story behind the 70s hard rock hit Feel Like Makin’ Love when he was with Bad Company. Which may be the greatest rock song ever written about about Coitus. He is the only rock singer to have a top ten hit with four different rock and roll bands and that’s not even counting the legendary band he fronted for half a decade, Queen. He fronted Queen many years after their own legendary singer Freddie Mercury passed away and the reason he stepped into his shoes was because this deceased singer may’ve spoken to him from the grave. The story and interview is next on Professor of Rock.

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How an Exchange Student Launched Roxette's Meteoric Rise in the U.S. Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

Coming up, it’s a band who owes much of their massive success to a random foreign exchange student. The band Roxette comprised of singer Marie Fredriksson and songwriter Per Gessle were on the rise in their home country of Sweden, but their records had failed to break through in America. However, after this student caught Roxette in concert, he returned home with their latest album Look Sharp! and almost single-handedly broke this band in the States. A DJ played their song The Look and it went straight to #1… for 2 years Roxette Reeled off four #1 hits and two #2’s, and actually you could say they 5 #1s because Dangerous hit #2 on the billboard hot 100 but hit #1 on the cashbox charts. Their other hits were It Must Have Been Love, Listen to Your Heart, Dressed for Success, Joyride, and Fading Like A Flower... they achieved in the space of two years, more than most bands achieve in a lifetime. Today, we’re covering those hits and giving you the inside track on their rise to global stardom. And then we try and figure out what happened after that. Because these guys completely disappeared from the airwaves a short while later. So how does such a successful band vanish into thin air? We’re going to get to the bottom of it… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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How Rainy Days and Mondays Became a Pop Masterpiece: The Carpenters’ Journey Feb 03, 2024

Show notes

Coming up, the story of one of the most emotionally charged hits of the rock era- Raindy Days and Mondays by the Carpenters was written by a budding songwriter Paul Williams with music by Roger Nichols, and performed by the Sister and Brother duo of Karen and Richard Carpenter. This duo was constantly ridiculed by journalists for their squeaky-clean image. I admit that I absolutely Despised their music for a quarter century. But then in a transcendent moment, today’s song converted me for good. It was Karen’s soothing voice that changed me. Today’s song, Rainy Days and Mondays is a "no doubt about it" masterpiece with one of the best lyrics of its day. But A decade after the song’s peak on the pop charts, the lives of the lyricist Paul Williams and lead singer Karen Carpenter were thrown into turmoil. It’s yet another interesting tale of what goes on behind the fame…NEXT on Professor of Rock.

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How Faith No More’s Epic Ignited Rap Metal and Took the Band to Stardom Feb 02, 2024

Show notes

Coming up. A crazy rock story…Code words and mystery lyrics, a decades-long feud with a rival band, sweet stolen dance moves, the parting of the Red Sea, and oh yeah, the most controversial fish in all of music video history. And somehow all of this is connected to this one Amazing song. EPIC by Faith No More. This song is so legendary in fact, that it’s even in the name., we’ll get into this song’s riddle-like lyrics. They refer to the word “IT” throughout the song. SO WHAT, or WHO IS IT? Let’s find out. The song came right after they fired their singer… Chuck Mosely a new singer came right in and wrote the lyrics to this band’s killer riff. Mike Patton Killed it with EPIC’s lyrics. They knew it was a hit but the record label didn’t care… they chose the band’s first single and when it flopped they told this group they could pick the next single…it not only ignited this band’s fortunes, some argue it invented a new genre Rap Metal but so many styles we’re represented here they had everything in this song… even the kitchen sink…the story is NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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