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:

The Dark Meaning Behind Men at Work’s 1983 Hit "Down Under" Nov 17, 2023

Show notes

This catchy/happy singalong hit was actually written after Men Without Hats singer Ivan Doroschuk was kicked out of a club for moshing. He went home in defiance and wrote the Safety Dance... Little did he know it would became an 80s catchphrase and a #1 hit on the dance club chart and the Cashbox chart. It became the dance of the 80s and most don't realize it's actually a middle finger against conformity and authority. A protest song of the highest level. In this interview with Ivan Doroschuk the singer and creator of new wave band Men Without Hats tells the story and how the song has become a pop culture phenomenon.

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The Meaning of Eagles’ "Hotel California": A Dark Allegory of the American Dream Nov 17, 2023

Show notes

A Latin-flavored riff developed into an allegorical masterpiece and the signature song for America’s band. Hotel California by Eagles became their signature song. It’s the psychological tale of a man- precariously caught in a disturbing asylum- from which... he may never escape. The iconic writers Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and Don Felder wanted the song to open like an episode of The Twilight Zone.. They wrote it about the dark underbelly of the American dream and they used the song to call out another popular band of the time. The song was so epic the two guitar players Joe Walsh and Don Felder wrote a solo side-by-side that took 3 days to finish. It’s a song that every band dreams of writing… a Song that is still as popular and perplexing as it was the day it came out… A song that has inspired a dozen theories of what it really means. A '70s classic. We find out the true meaning next on Professor of Rock.

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Why Beastie Boys Hated Their Own Hit "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party) Nov 16, 2023

Show notes

Coming up, we’ve got the story of three mischievous New Yorkers who disavowed one of the biggest songs… Mike D, Ad-Rock, and MCA otherwise known as the Beastie Boys hated (You Gotta Fight) for Your Right (to Party). This breakthrough track became a legendary music video on MTV but for all the wrong reasons. A rebellious party anthem they wrote to make fun of party anthems in general but in the end, it painted the trio as immature frat boys. But the thing is, it was all a big joke… a throwaway track. Their producer however loved it and pushed for its release. After that things got out of hand real quick with the song blowing up on radio and MTV. And yeah, these guys were no angels… but when fans demanded they live up to the song’s raucous lyrics, they turned their backs on the track… and License To Ill in general. It almost broke up the band. Still, fans couldn’t get enough of it. And even today it is one of their most popular songs. It’s an all-out brawl for this band’s identity and a fight you’re not gonna want to miss… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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The Rise and Fall of John Parr: "St. Elmo’s Fire" and the Betrayal That Silenced Him Nov 15, 2023

Show notes

Coming up… an interview with the mysterious disappearing rocker of the 80s. John Parr had a massive #1 hit in the mid-80s… a song he co-wrote and recorded in less than a day… St Elmos Fire (Man in Motion) was to be the theme to a big movie the Brat Pack 80s coming-of-age film St Elmos Fire. but he actually wrote the song about an inspirational journey that was being forged at the time by a disabled man. The song was going to be a frontrunner for the Oscar that year but it was pulled from contention over its connection to this everyday hero. It ended up helping to raise millions of dollars and awareness for spinal injuries… Then at the height of his career, this rocker was betrayed by someone in his inner circle and litigation stopped him from making music for almost 18 years…during this time he disappeared from the spotlight and worked a regular job to raise his kids. Up next, an interview with this 80s icon.

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How Fleetwood Mac’s "The Chain" Held the Band Together During the Turmoil of Rumours Nov 14, 2023

Show notes

It’s a track that slowly builds energy, perseverance, & resolve. It’s a Frankenstein song… with 3 completely different songs stitched together AND IT’S THE Only song in Fleetwood Mac’s legendary career where all 5 members created it The Chain from the 1977 masterpiece Rumours. By the time you hear its exhilarating crescendo, you feel as if you can conquer ANYTHING... Even a devastating, soul-crushing breakup. Which is what this song did. Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, Lindsey Buckingham, and John McVie were about to self-destruct. The Chain actually stopped one of the world’s greatest bands from breaking up at their peak. If it weren’t for this song we would’ve missed out on six huge albums and 11 major hits. And to think it was never released as a single. Up next, the story of this 70s classic on Professor of Rock.

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The Controversial Rise and Fall of Frankie Goes to Hollywood: "Relax" and Its Global Impact  Nov 13, 2023

Show notes

It’s the rise and fall of one of the most controversial bands of the 80s… Frankie Goes To Hollywood a band that many here in the US think of as a one-hit wonder. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. These guys killed it around the world, even notching three #1 hits in the UK in one year. Relax, Two Tribes and the Power of Love… Relax stirred up a firestorm of controversy. As DJs listened to the lyrics, they soon realized this track was far from family-friendly. And the song’s music video wasn’t exactly rated PG either. Soon it was banned on the airwaves and on TV. But it still skyrocketed up the charts anyway. Here in the US, we missed all that. But you know what we didn’t miss? The MERCH….Americans everywhere wore this group’s swag more than any other band. The Frankie Say Relax... Get the story of this blacklisted 80s band, Frankie Goes to Hollywood with Holly Johnson as lead singer. and their rise to the top, and their sudden disappearance… NEXT on Professor of Rock.

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The Mystery Behind ELO’s "Livin’ Thing": Jeff Lynne’s Lyrics Decoded Nov 11, 2023

Show notes

Coming up, the story behind one of the many genius tracks created by one of the most shy and reluctant stars of the Rock Era. Jeff Lynne ELO otherwise known as Electric Light Orchestra. The lyrics of this international hit have spawned very emotional interpretations. See if you can guess what the real answer is. Was their 70s classic Livin’ Thing written about the suicide of a former bandmate, was it written about Saving the Whales… Was it written about a bad bout of dysentery, some swear it's a crusade against abortion, and then others are convinced that the song is about a relationship…Try and guess once you hear the song and we will solve it. It’s a song that opened the door for the genius leader of this band to meet his heroes and work with them when they got back together. Let’s find out NEXT… on Professor of Rock.

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Interview with Mark Weitz: The Story Behind Strawberry Alarm Clock's "Incense and Peppermints" Nov 10, 2023

Show notes

In 1967, the illustrious Summer of Love, A psychedelic sunshine pop standard, hit number one on the US charts, Incense and Peppermints by Strawberry Alarm Clock but the song was cloaked in controversy, first of all, it was supposed to be a B-SIDE, then it was found that the song was allegedly based off of an instrumental idea from two of the band members who given credit. One Ed King, who would go on to help compose Sweet Home Alabama in Lynyrd Skynyrd… Then when the band was recording it, they hated the lyrics so no one in the band wanted to sing them, amazingly they were sung by a friend of the band, a 16-year-old kid who happened to be at the recording as a guest! Up next we get the story from An interview with the cofounder of this mystery band, Mark Weitz on Professor of Rock.

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How "Walk Like an Egyptian" Broke Up The Bangles Nov 09, 2023

Show notes

It’s a song with a storied history and a bittersweet legacy. But you’d never know just listening to it. That’s because this is one of those happy-go-lucky pop tunes we were all singing along with back in the 80s. However, in the studio and behind the scenes… it was a different story. Walk Like An Egyptian by the Bangles. This song was actually the catalyst for this band’s breakup. It all fell apart when their producer forced each member to audition to sing on the song… their own song! With four musicians and just three verses… I’m sure you can do the math. Someone was getting the shaft. And then there was the music video, which has this iconic moment, that all of us remember. Susanna Hoffs and the iconic eye roll that made every boy a man... A moment that turned one of the singers into America’s sweetheart and left the others out in the cold. With the press and fans calling her the band’s lead singer, things got ugly fast. Stick around to find out if there is any way this divisive track could have a happy ending. The story’s coming up… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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Graham Nash on Betting $500 to Write a Hit and the Story of "Our House"  Nov 08, 2023

Show notes

Coming up the story of a song that was written on a bet… Graham Nash was staying with a friend in Hawaii and was getting ready to leave the island to go home when his friend said if you’re such a big shot songwriter let’s see if you can write a song before you go… I’ll BET you 500 bucks you can’t… Well needless to say he wrote a song quickly and let’s just say he won the bet… oh ya and it also became his legendary group Crosby Stills & Nash’s biggest hit… Up next in an exclusive interview, this legend shares the story… as well as the story of their classic hit Our House on Professor of Rock.

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