Professor of Rock
Gamut Podcast Network
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 30, 2022 • 22min
The Rise and Sudden Fall of a Huge 80s Band – What Happened?
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Mar 29, 2022 • 15min
Exclusive Interview with a Music Legend – A Moment I’ll Never Forget
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Mar 26, 2022 • 27min
The Story Behind Harry Chapin’s Cat’s in the Cradle – A Timeless Wake-Up Call
The story of Harry Chapin’s beautiful and poignant masterpiece, Cat’s in the Cradle. You think you know the story but you really don’t. How Harry’s wife Sandy woke him up to the damage he was inflicting on his family as he let the rock star life overtake him, The cautionary tale that we’ve all benefited from hit #1 in 1974 and changed not only our lives but the life of the singer/songwriter… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mar 25, 2022 • 22min
How Wedding Bell Blues by The 5th Dimension Became a Real-Life Love Story
My favorite married couple in music history Billy Davis Jr. and Marilyn McCoo who were in the 5th Dimension together in the 60s recorded this funny Laura Nyro song about the female singer (McCoo) asking a guy named Bill to marry her. Wedding Bell Blues! Life imitated art, as after they recorded it, Billy and Marilyn got married and then the song became a #1 hit. A great story that will bring a smile to your face! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mar 24, 2022 • 22min
How Jack Tempchin’s Peaceful Easy Feeling Became an Eagles Classic
Hall of Fame songwriter Jack Tempchin tells the story of the 70s classic hit Peaceful Easy Feeling that he wrote one night after being stood up by a girl and being locked inside of a bar overnight. He finally finished the song at a hot dog food chain and presented it to his roommate who happened to be Glenn Frey who asked to record it with his band that would later became e the Eagles. The song ended up being on the Eagles greatest hits, the biggest selling album in history! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mar 23, 2022 • 24min
How Chris Cornell and Eddie Vedder’s Duet on Hunger Strike Made 90s Rock History
When Mother Love Bone frontman Andrew Wood dies tragically in 1990, Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell was devastated. He was trying to work through his emotions and knew that music would be the only cathartic way to do it. As he wrote some very heavy songs had knew they wouldn’t work for his band so he connected with the remaining Mother Love Bone band members Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament as well as new guitarist Mike McCready to create Temple of the Dog and the song Hunger Strike a veritable 90s masterwork. When he struggled to get exactly what he wanted on the song Hunger Strike, Eddie Vedder stepped up to the mic and the two made history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mar 22, 2022 • 17min
Martin Page on Writing Hits for Others Before His Own House of Stone and Light
Up next an interview with one of the greatest songwriters of the 80s and 90s. Martin Page co-wrote 2 #1 hits in a row… These Dreams for Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson’s Heart and We Built This City for Starship. Then he wrote King of Wishful Thinking for Go West For the Pretty Woman soundtrack and then he kept a #1 for himself as 10 plus years after he started writing for everyone else he had a #1 solo hit with the House of Stone and Light. He tells all those stories next on Revelations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mar 21, 2022 • 26min
Steve Perry’s Oh Sherrie – The Solo Hit That Shook Journey Fans
Steve Perry took a break from legendary band Journey and created his first solo album Street Talk, Up next we go deep into his top 3 1984 hit Oh Sherrie. Written about his real life girlfriend, Sherrie Swafford. The song was such a smash, fans wondered if the Voice Steve Perry would ever go back to his band. In a new episode of Solo Venture, we honor this classic 1984 hit... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mar 18, 2022 • 22min
Rick Springfield on the Mystery Behind Jessie’s Girl and Its 80s Legacy
If you’re a Child of the 80s this song was like a rite of passage. A quintessential 80s classic Jessie’s Girl by Rick Springfield went to #1 the day MTV launched with a music video perfect for the channel. General Hospital Heartthrob Rick Springfield tells us the inspiration behind the song and album working class dog and how he had to shatter 24 mirrors to get it right. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mar 17, 2022 • 15min
How Cheap Trick’s Surrender and Live at Budokan Made Them Legends
What if our PARENTS were ACTUALLY as weirdly COOL as we think we are? 70s classic Surrender by Cheap Trick is about that very thing. It was conceived when guitarist Rick Nielsen found out his parents were members of the KISS army when he was 14, with an electric vocal by leading man Robin Zander the story of how Cheap Trick made it big in japan first and how their live album Live at Budokan changed everything is up next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
