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
Dec 17, 2021 • 23min
The Real Story Behind Dan Fogelberg’s Same Old Lang Syne – A Bittersweet 80s Classic
Coming up a once upon a time a fledgling singer songwriter named Dan Fogelberg went back to his hometown for the holidays and ran into an ex girlfriend at a convenience store. He turned the fateful meeting of joy and sorrow in the the 1981 hit, Same Old Lang Syne from his album the Innocent Age. one of the most bittersweet story songs of the 80s. find out the real story beyond the poetic licenses that all artists take and celebrate one of the purest voices of the rock era including interviews 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.
Dec 15, 2021 • 29min
Revisiting the Top 10 Songs from This Week in 1986 – Which One Endures Today?
Up next we’re going to go go behind the top 10 songs of this VERY same week from the year 1986. 35 years ago. once again we will re rank them based on their performance since and we have some cool artist interviews… In this chart we have one of the most unlikely #1s of the decade as well as the biggest hit of 1987 battling it out as well as a couple of song that didn’t even make the top 10 that year that years later have been massive find out what the real #1 song is next. Starring Bon Jovi, Bruce Hornsby and the Range, the Bangles, Toto, Journey, Huey Lewis, Billy Idol and more 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.
Dec 14, 2021 • 2min
If You LOVE the MUSIC of the 60s, 70s & 80s, here's Your Shirt! Vintage Shirts
New Vintage Years Designs Are Here: https://bit.ly/ProfessorsMerch 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.
Dec 14, 2021 • 16min
Rob Halford on Writing Breaking the Law and How Judas Priest Brought Metal to MTV
Metal God Rob Halford explains why he wrote BREAKING THE LAW the metal hit that rocked MTV in the early 80s and the power behind their classic album British STEEL. 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.
Dec 13, 2021 • 26min
How Phil Collins’ Against All Odds Went from B-Side to #1 Hit
Phil Collins never considers this song as anything more than a B-side until a movie director wanted it for his 1984 film called Against All Odds. So Phil rewrote it and released it as Against All Odds (Take a Look At Me Now) to amazing fanfare including an Oscar nomination and a Grammy win. One of the most heart wrenching songs of the 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.
Dec 10, 2021 • 21min
Jess Harnell on Rock Sugar, Legendary Voices, and Winning Over 20K Angry Fans
You LOVED this amazing talent last time we had on our channel, so he’s back for more, the Man who was sued for sounding too much like a legendary singer. He’s the man of 1000 AND ONE voice's who’s also a rockstar, up Next, more hilarious stories as well as a breakdown of Rock Sugar’s greatest songs with Jess Harnell including reimagining Journey and Metallica, Ozzy Osborne and Rick Springfield and Motley Crue and Queen. and we we have a special surprise at the end you won’t wanna miss. 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.
Dec 8, 2021 • 23min
How Jerry Cantrell Honored His Father with Alice in Chains’ Rooster
How Guitarist Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains honored his Father in the harrowing 90s classic song Rooster. Coming up, a story about a guitarist from a Jerry’s Father, a Vietnam vet who suffered from a war that wouldn’t stop playing in his head. Jerry put himself in his Father’s boot and captured the experience. Riddled with bullets, fallen soldiers, and enduring psychological scars, the song became one of the greatest of the decade with a beautiful interpretation by singer Layne Staley. Today we honor an anthem and it’s story... NEXT on the 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.
Dec 4, 2021 • 24min
How Eddie Van Halen Used a Pawn Shop Keyboard to Create And the Cradle Will Rock
The Wicked story of Van Halen’s early 80s classic And the Cradle Will Rock . It was the first song the supergroup released with their guitar hero Eddie Van Halen playing a keyboard...and the dawning of a new era for one of America’s all-time greatest bands. Eddie Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Michael Anthony & Alex Van Halen ROCK the cradle…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.
Nov 30, 2021 • 26min
The Legacy of John Mellencamp – His Top 5 Songs and Impact on America
John Mellencamp became a leading voice for Americans through the 80s with life changing songs including Jack and Diane, Check it Out, Pink Houses, Small-town and Cherry Bomb. We celebrate John Mellencamp's rise as the troubadour of the working class and top 5 songs. 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.
Nov 29, 2021 • 20min
The Wild Story Behind Tom Petty’s Don’t Come Around Here No More – 80s Rock Drama Unfolds
The craziest 80s soap opera story of a song in rock history starring Steve Nicks of Fleetwood Mac, Dave Stewart of Eurythmics, Tom Petty, Joe Walsh of the Eagles and legendary producer Jimmy Iovine. How the drama created an Alice in Wonderland meets Prince acid trip that become the 80s hit Don’t Come Around Here No More. 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.
