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
Nov 10, 2021 • 26min
Revisiting the Top 10 Songs from This Week in 1966 – One of Music’s Greatest Years
Up next we’re going to go behind the top 10 songs of this VERY same week from the year 1966. Hailed by many as the finest year in music history..55 years ago to be exact.. Will the new number one be the Beach Boys, the Beatles, The Monkees, The Supremes, Herman’s Hermits or someone else? Including exclusive interviews with Brian Wilson, Mitch Ryder, Lamont Dozier, and many 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.
Nov 9, 2021 • 27min
Jess Harnell on Rock Sugar, Voice Acting, and Reimagining Classic Rock Hits
An interview with a legendary voice actor who is also a Rockstar. In fact he’s so great at mimicking voices, he was once sued by a famous singer for sounding too much like him. The lead singer of Rock Sugar and the voice of Wacko Warner from Animaniacs, Crash Bandicoot and Roger Rabbit., a man of 1000 voices on his story… 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 4, 2021 • 22min
How “Weird Al” Yankovic Conquered 80s Radio with an Accordion and Parody Genius
he story of how a regular guy named Alfred Yankovic became the foremost pop culture satirist Weird Al through his mastering of the accordion and parodying rock and pop classics in the 80s including his breakout hit Eat It a parody of Michael Jackson's 1983 #1 hit BEAT IT. 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 3, 2021 • 20min
Jerry Casale on Devo’s Groundbreaking SNL Performance and New Wave Legacy
The story behind New Wave pioneers Devo and their history making performance on Saturday Night Live performing their unique cover of the Rolling Stones’ “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction”. Jerry Casale gives wonderful insight on their performance and on the origins of some of the most iconic elements of DEVO including the red energy domes the band wears. Get Jerry's new song and more at: https://www.geraldvcasale.com 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 2, 2021 • 15min
Glen Phillips on Toad the Wet Sprocket’s All I Want and Their Unlikely Rise
Glenn Phillips on the story of Toad the West Sprocket’s classic 90s hit All I Want from their masterpiece album FEAR. How the band formed and was named after a Monty Python sketch, all in our toad the wet sprocket 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.
Nov 1, 2021 • 20min
How Iron Maiden’s The Trooper Redefined Heavy Metal
The story of Iron Maiden’s 1980s classic the Trooper from their spectacular album Piece of Mind. After their first their first lead singer left due to substance abuse, Bruce Dickinson came into Iron Maiden with a Fury and between he and bassist Steve Harris, created a the Trooper inspired by an Tennyson poem. How this Heavy Metal classic scared us senseless... 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.
Oct 30, 2021 • 28min
The Story Behind Van Halen’s Diver Down – The 80s Album That Split Opinions
The story of Van Halen’s 5th studio record: Diver Down inducing the story of Eddie and Alex Van Halen, Micheal Anthony and David Lee roth’s romp through the hit covers Oh’ Pretty Woman and Dancing’ In the Street and stand out tracks Little Guitars and Hang ‘Em High. The story of Van Halen’s most underrated album from the 80s 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.
Oct 29, 2021 • 19min
How Steve Miller Used a Cheap Synth to Create Fly Like an Eagle – A 70s Classic
The story of Steve Miller Band’s classic rock standard from 1973, Fly Like An Eagle. The story of how this 70s hit came about is very interesting, Steve Miller wrote it for Native Americans as protest song. It was part of a legendary top 5 that included Bob Seger’s Night Movies and Manfred Mann’s Earth Band’s remake of Blinded by the Light. 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.
Oct 28, 2021 • 26min
Revisiting the Top 10 Songs from This Week in 1976 – Rock, Disco, and Lasting Legends
We go behind the top 10 songs of this VERY same week from the year 1976. 45 years ago. Then we re rank them based on their legacy since that week. including songs by Heart, Chicago, the Bee Gees, Gordon Lighfoot and Steve Miller band, as well as one of the worst songs ever? Take a walk down memory lane and find out what happened to music! 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.
Oct 26, 2021 • 27min
How Norah Jones’ Don’t Know Why Became the Best-Selling Album of the Decade
Before Adele, another blockbuster music queen was Norah Jones. Here we celebrate the 20th anniversary of her amazing song Don’t Know Why from her multiplatinum record Come Away with Me. An excessive interview that goes through the history of this jazz phenomenon... 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.
