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 16, 2022 • 17min
How Huey Lewis and the News Crashed the Charts with Sports in 1984
I say it all of the time. 1984 was the greatest year in music history. It was so fiercely competitive, Only 5 albums went to the #1 spot, the least amount in history. Michael Jackson Thriller, Prince Purple Rain and Bruce Springsteen Born in the USA battled it out for chart supremacy and Huey Lewis and the News, the ferocious blue collar bar bad from San Francisco was one of those 5. Huey tells us how he created to top 10 hits from the album including Heart and Soul and the Heart of Rock and Roll and how he found out that the Heart of Rock and Roll can actually be in Halifax Canada! 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 8, 2022 • 11min
Counting Down the Top 5 Songs by Bread – How I Became a Fan
Have you every hated a band or artist and then something happened that transformed you into a major fan? I used to hate the band Bread. the soft rock, beautiful voice of the 70s. David Gates wrote so many classics like Diary, Baby I’m a Want You, Everything I Own, Guitar Man, If, Sweet Surrender, Aubrey and so many more. Here I count down the top 5 song by bread and tell you why I now love this amazing band. 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 5, 2022 • 33min
Revisiting the Top 10 Songs from This Week in 1985 – Who Stands the Test of Time?
Up next we’re going to go go behind the top 10 songs of this same week from the year 1985 then we’ll recalibrate them based on their all time performance. Who will be the new #1? Wham! Reo Speedwagon, Foreigner, Van Halen, Bill Ocean or Phil Collins? Find out next on the Hit song Redux. 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 2, 2022 • 21min
How Quiet Riot’s Cum On Feel the Noize Became an Accidental 80s Metal Anthem
Coming up, the story of Quiet Riot and their classic 80s hard rock hit Cum On Feel the Noize which was of cover of the UK hit by Slade. Singer Kevin Dubrow and drummer Frankie Banali HATED the song and tried to sabotage it, but instead it became a top 5 hit and pushed their 1983 album Metal Health to #1 on the charts in one of the most competitive years in music history. they put hard Rock and Heavy metal on the charts. It’s a hard rocking quid pro quo story chock-full of sabotage and intrigue. 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.
Feb 25, 2022 • 17min
The New Wave Legacy of Sire Records – Hits That Defined a Generation
Celebrating the legendary record label Sire Records that represented: Depeche Mode, The Smiths, Erasure, Talking Heads, Ramones, The Cure, Echo and the Bunnymen and many more. We also interview The Ocean Blue frontman David Schelzel about the Sire records hit single Ballerina out of Control. 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.
Feb 24, 2022 • 14min
Suzi Quatro on Her Trailblazing Rock Career and Overdue Rock Hall Recognition
A candid conversation with female rock pioneer Suzi Quatro who paved the way for everyone from Joan Jett to Ann Wilson of Heart to Pat Benatar. Suzie Q tells us about her recent documentary and the stories behind here great 70s hits that shook up radio in a time where pop and disco were dominating. 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.
Feb 23, 2022 • 24min
Top 5 Hidden Gems from 80s One-Hit Wonders
It’s a mashup of two shows: Bottled Lightening meets 80s hidden gems. I count down my top 5 hidden gems from the 80s that were also one hit wonders. From formers members of the band 10CC who would go on to direct the Police and Duran Duran’s most iconic videos to a song that was used in the classic John Hughes film, Some Kind of Wonderful to an australian 80s new wave synth pop group, we have some wondrous songs from the neon decade. 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.
Feb 21, 2022 • 17min
How Van Halen’s Runnin’ with the Devil and Eruption Kickstarted 80s Rock
In 1978, Van Halen launched their first album featuring a hellish classic rock tempest that crushed the status quo, and introduced a superstar musician for the ages one Eddie Van Halen. as well as the great frontman David Lee Roth. We present to you, the saga of Van Halen’s “Runnin with the Devil” and “Eruption the greatest two sides single of the late 70s 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.
Feb 18, 2022 • 21min
Steve Vai on Learning from Satriani, Frank Zappa, and Teaming with David Lee Roth
Up next one of rock premier guitar virtuosos tells us how he learned guitar from Joe Satriani as a teen and cut his teeth with Frank Zappa and then starting a band with David Lee Roth after he left Van Halen.. in 1986 it was Van Halen vs Diamond Dave, and his secret weapon Mr. Steve Vai… the story of that plus behind DLR’s smash album Eat ‘Em and Smile and Yankees Rose. 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.
Feb 17, 2022 • 23min
The Story Behind Gordon Lightfoot’s The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald – A Haunting 70s Epic
The haunting 70s saga of the 29 members who lost their lives, the crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald. How Gordon Lightfoot wrote a masterpiece that brought peace to the family members. This story behind the song and the crew from the 1976 rock epic the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald lyric by lyric. 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.
