Professor of Rock

The story of one of my favorite songs ever the dark and atmospheric 80s top 10 hit, Only the Lonely by the Motels…over the course of interviewing artists about their greatest songs, I’ve come upon my some of my favorite songs ever. This is one of those interviews. A song that has stuck with me since I first heard it at 6 years of age. Lead singer Martha Davis and saxophonist Marty Jourard tell the story of crafting the song and the dark side of fame. This New Wave band is still together. 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.

It’s time for another Hit Song Redux This Time we’re going behind the top 10 songs of this VERY same week from the year 1975 47 years ago. This top 10 has some of the greatest songs of all time that we still hear today and as usual we have the actual artists tell us the stores.? Who is the real #1 all of these year later Is it the Doobie Brothers, Is it the Eagles, Or Grand Funk Railroad? or Stevie Wonder. Find out next on the Hit Song Redux of 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.

In 1991, Metallica changed the world forever as they went global with the Black Album including their menacing song: Enter Sandman, the song should’ve been a #1 hit, it’s certainly outlasted the songs form the week it peaked on the charts. up next We celebrate the genius of Enter Sandman and the Black album. The song was written by Metallica’s big three. James Hetfield, Kirk Hammet and Lars Ulrich. A metal masterwork if there ever was one. 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.

One of the biggest artists of the late 80s Who’s first 7 singles reached the top 5 and debut album was triple platinum, Richard Marx tells the hilarious story behind his biggest hit and one of the most popular love song of all time, Right Here Waiting which went to #1 in 1989 from his 4X platinum album Repeat Offender. It’s a song that every 80s kids knows by heart and can likely play on the piano. 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.

It was called the Worst song of All time. When the 70s band the Buoys were forced to promote their new single without their record label’s support or any marketing money they decided to grab everyone’s attention by writing a song so controversial that he wouldn't need any help. Rupert Holmes of Escape (the Pina Colada song) fame tells the interesting story of writing Timothy, a song about a mining accident and cannabilism It’s a fascinating story from the 70s about a song that was banned as well as other funny stories form Tony award winner Rupert Holmes. 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.

Coming up we celebrate the larger than life legend Meatloaf and his musical legacy the Bat out of Hell Trilogy. How Meatloaf and Jim Steinman proved all the gate keepers wrong. They had one of the most powerful rock chemistries of the 70s, 80s and 90s. How they created classic like Paradise by the Dashboard Light, Two out of Three Ain’t Bad, I’d Do Anything For Love and others classics that made us who we are. 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.

One of the greatest duets of the 1980s. Ann Wilson of Heart was told she could handpick her male duet partner for the love theme for the 1984 blockbuster Footloose. She requested Paul Rodgers and then Robert plant. None of them could do it. Lou Gramm who was with Foreigner at the time was another pick. After schedules didn’t match up, the record label suggested Mike Reno of Loverboy. They knocked it out of the park. The duet called Almost Paradise was one of the big hits from the soundtrack . Ann Wilson and Mike Reno tell the amazing story in this exclusive interview. 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.

Up next we’re going to go go behind the top 10 songs of this VERY same week from the year 1983 39 years ago. This was one of the golden years of popular music as the 80s were really coming into their own. WE have some great artist commentary to go along with this Who is the real #1? Is it Toto? Micheal Jackson, Van Halen, the Police, Pat benatar or a one hit wonder? We’ll find plus we compare the music of this top 10 from the 80s to the tops songs of today, I’ll give you a clue.. it’s a bloodbath.. 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.

What Have You Done for Me Lately" by Legend, Superstar and in my opinion the Queen of Pop Miss Jackson to be precise. Janet Jackson, the opening shot from her multi-platinum pop juggernaut Control, with the Legendary and I mean legendary duo of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis as co-producers and co-writers. It was a recipe for pop perfection. The story of this 1986 #4 hit is told be Jimmy Jam. 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.

How Led Zeppelin created their biggest hit song, their only top 10, the provocative 70s smash Whole Lotta Love through rough waters including conservative radio programmers and later a lawsuit. Jimmy Page’s Riff has been called the best ever, Robert Plant’s evocative vocal and the incredible rhythm section of John Paul Jones and John Bonham, this song is a bonafide rock classic.... Coming up.. the story of a provocative Top 5 smash created by a daredevil supergroup that challenged the gatekeepers of commercial radio conservatism...and wound up being sued for violation of copyright laws. There’s a whole lotta yearnin’ ...and a whole lotta schoolin' NEXT on Professor of Rock. 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.