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
Sep 15, 2021 • 20min
How Pour Some Sugar on Me and Hysteria Made Def Leppard Rock Legends
The story of Side 2 of Def Leppard Hysteria, the blockbuster of 1987 and 1988 including the story of Pour Some Sugar On Me which was inspired by the Archie’s hit Sugar, Sugar and saved the album from being a failure. Also the stories of how Mutt Lange, Joe Elliott, Phil Collen, Steve Clark, Rick Savage and Rick Allen created Armageddon it, Hysteria the title track and others from side 2. 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 9, 2021 • 26min
KT Tunstall on the Accidental Breakthrough of Black Horse and the Cherry Tree
KT Tunstall tells these unbelievable story of her #1 HIT, Black Horse and A Cherry Tree. This Interview blew me away, as I wasn’t expecting such a cool story and a cool artist…KT explains how because of a freak cancelation on Jools Holland, KT was able to perform her song with a Loop Pedal and overnight here song scaled the charts. She plays the song and tells the story of writing this Bo Diddley/ Bonnie Raitt like pop hit from the 2000s. 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 7, 2021 • 14min
Paul Rodgers on Alright Now and His Legendary Career with Free, Bad Company & The Firm
Paul Rodgers is a legend’s legend, He is many legendary singer's favorite vocalist including Ann Wilson of Heart, Freddy Mercury of Queen, Robert Plant, and Lou Gramm formerly of Foreigner. Up next we celebrate Paul Rodgers and his days in Free, Bad Company and the Firm and we get the story of the 70s classic Alright Now with an exclusive interview with Paul. 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 2, 2021 • 40min
Brian Vander Ark on the True Meaning Behind The Verve Pipe’s The Freshmen
The story of 90s hit The Freshmen by The Verve Pipe. Lead singer and songwriter Brian Vander Ark tells the story of creating the #1 alternative rock song and the true meaning behind this 1997 hit that has perplexed many with its mysterious lyrics. 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.
Aug 31, 2021 • 14min
Howard Jones on the Stories Behind His Top 5 Synth-Pop Classics
Celebrating 80s synth pop legend Howard Jones by counting down his top 5 songs including Things Can Only Get Better, The Prisoner, No One Is to Blame and What Is Love with commentary from the new wave legend himself. 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.
Aug 30, 2021 • 18min
How The Romantics’ What I Like About You Became a Hit Years After Its Release
The story of the Romantics classic power pop 80s smash “What I Like About You”. It actually wasn’t a hit when it first came out, but got a lift from a beer commercial 10 years after it’s first release to become one of the biggest classic rock song’s ever. Wally Palmer and Mike Skill tell the story of the band who had another 80s smash a few years later with Talking In your Sleep. 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.
Aug 28, 2021 • 22min
The Story Behind Elton John’s Tiny Dancer – A 70s Classic with Infamously Misheard Lyrics
How Elton John and Bernie Taupin wrote the 1970s classic rock standard Tiny Dancer and why it should’ve been a #1 Hit. From the masterpiece album Madman Across the Water, Tiny Dancer became a hit years later when it was used in the iconic scene from Cameron Crowe’s Oscar winning film Almost Famous. 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.
Aug 26, 2021 • 26min
The Story Behind The Beatles’ Hey Jude – A 7-Minute Anthem for Julian Lennon
The story of the Beatles biggest hit, Hey Jude. Written by Paul McCartney for John Lennon’s song Julian Lennon after his mom and dad got divorced. It was one of the longest songs to hit #1 on the Billboard charts at over 7 minutes and ushered in a new phase for the Fab Four. 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.
Aug 24, 2021 • 25min
Lionel Richie’s Incredible Run of #1 Hits – His Top 5 Songs Solo & with the Commodores
Up next we tell the story of one of the smoothest voices ever and a man who had 9 straight years with a #1 hit. Lionel Richie. We break down his top 5 songs both solo and with the Commodores including Sail On, Three Times A Lady, All Night Long, Penny Lover and so 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.
Aug 20, 2021 • 23min
How Def Leppard Defied the Odds to Create Hysteria – An 80s Rock Masterpiece
The unbelievable story of the 1987 blockbuster Hysteria by Def Leppard. How Joe Elliot, Steve Clark, Rick Savage, Rick Allen and Phil Collen created an album for the ages with Mutt Lange and the battle to finish a classic. With commentary by Joel Elliot 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.
