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
Oct 6, 2021 • 17min
Roger McGuinn & David Crosby on The Byrds’ Turn! Turn! Turn! – A #1 Hit from Ancient Words
The story of the Byrds legendary #1 hit Turn! Turn! Turn! (to everything there is a season) from 1965. Originally released by protest folk singer Pete Seeger, the song’s lyrics are from the Holy Bible from Ecclesiastes. Roger McGuinn and David Crosby tell the story of how the Byrds met and began to perform including recording this classic song. 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 5, 2021 • 18min
Siedah Garrett on Writing Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror – An 80s Anthem for Change
The story of Michael Jackson’s life changing #1 HIT Man In the Mirror. Every once in a while, a song changes the way you look at the world. The exclusive story of this incredible song by co-writer and frequent MJ collaborator Siedah Garrett. It’s a tale that includes the incomparable touch of the great Quincy Jones and co writer Glen Ballard 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.
Oct 1, 2021 • 21min
Geoff Downes on Asia’s Only Time Will Tell – An 80s Hidden Gem
The story of Asia’s other big hit from their legendary debut album from 1982, the #17 hit Only Time Will Tell from cowriter and keyboardist Geoff Downes. Geoff tells us of creating the song with the late John Wetton. 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.
Sep 30, 2021 • 24min
Revisiting the Top 10 Songs from This Week in 1983 – Which Hits Stand the Test of Time?
Up next we're going to go go behind the top 10 songs of this same week from the year 1983. We'll recalibrate them based on their performance up to now and with your memories and artist commentary! Including Tell Her About It By Billy Joel, The Safety Dance by Men Without Hats, Islands in the Stream by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, Mainiac by Micheal Sembello, True By Spandau Ballet, Making Love out of Nothing at All by Air Supply and Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler. 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.
Sep 28, 2021 • 19min
Peter Frampton on Show Me the Way, Talk Box Magic, and the Biggest Live Album of the 70s
In our exclusive interview with Multiplatinum artist Peter Frampton, he tells us how he made it guitar talk on his 70s hit Show Me The Way and his thoughts on Yacht Rock, Dave Grohl, and the Beatles George Harrison 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.
Sep 24, 2021 • 17min
Lamont Dozier & Music Legends on The Four Tops’ Baby I Need Your Loving and Its Lasting Impact
5 Rock Hall Of Famers and another icon tell the story of the #1 motown hit Baby I Need Your Loving by the Four Tops including the last remaining member Duke Fakir, as well as producer/writer Lamont Dozier of Holland Dozier Holland and Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil who were inspired by the song to write You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling with an appearance by Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers and Johnny Rivers who remade the song and took it too the top 3. 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.
Sep 22, 2021 • 27min
Revisiting the Top 10 Songs from This Week in 1979 – Which Hits Still Shine Today?
On this week’s Hit Song Redux we look at this same week from the year 1979. Where we count down hits from the year including Electric Light Orchestra, Earth Wind and Fire, Little River Band, the Commodores and The Knack just to name a few. With your memories and dedications as well as artist commentary. 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.
Sep 21, 2021 • 21min
How The Police Conquered the 80s with Every Breath You Take and Other Classics
How the Police including Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland took over the 80s as the biggest band in the world through their hits Every Breath You Take, Every Little Thing She Does is Magic, Don’t Stand so Close to me and King of Pain. The stories of their greatest songs 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.
Sep 18, 2021 • 42min
Nick Laird-Clowes on Life in a Northern Town and David Gilmour’s Role in Its Creation
Nick Laird Clowes of The Dream Academy tells the exhilarating story behind the moving and hypnotic 1985 song Life in A Northern Town and How David Gilmour of Pink Floyd and Paul Simon helped him reach his full potential with the hit. This interview is a beautiful example of the magical muse that transpires when a song is born and raised in greatness.. On professor for 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.
Sep 17, 2021 • 23min
How AC/DC’s Back in Black and Its Iconic Riff Ignited the 80s
The story of AC/DC’s hard rock classic Back In Black from there 1980 album of the same name. Bon Scott has just passed and Angus Young and brother Malcolm brought in Brian Johnson who helped AC/DC rise to the top of the album charts. including an interview with Phil Carson. 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.
