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
Aug 19, 2021 • 13min
Art Alexakis on Writing Everclear’s Wonderful and Its Deep Personal Meaning
Art Alexakis of Everclear tells the story of their biggest hit, Wonderful and get extremely personal on being a Father and his experiences with his own Father. 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 17, 2021 • 20min
Steve Winwood’s Legendary Career – From Spencer Davis Group to Solo Stardom
The story of Steve Winwood From the Spencer Davis Group to Blind Faith to Traffic and Solo. From child prodigy, to a Hall of Fame rock n’ roll troubadour, Steve Winwood has shared his elite gift & passion with a lifetime of timeless R&B, Folk, Jazz, Progressive Rock, and pop classics with the world. , Steve Winwood truly brought us all a higher love of the arts because of his boundless gifts. This is the story of his career and his top 5 songs. including Higher Love and While You See a chance. One of the greatest voices ever. 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 16, 2021 • 26min
The Story Behind The Doors’ Light My Fire – A 60s Classic That Still Burns Bright
The unbelievable story of the Doors 1967 #1 Hit Light My Fire. How Robby Krieger wrote it at only 18 and how Jim Morrison took it to new heights and made it a legend. 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 14, 2021 • 25min
How Van Halen Overcame the Sophomore Jinx with Van Halen II
The Story of Van Halen II the band's spectacular sophomore album. They only had a few weeks to create it. The Hijinks of Eddie and Alex Van Halen, David Lee Roth and Michael Anthony as we breakdown the album including classic cuts like Beautiful Girls, Dance the Night Away, D.O.A. and Bottoms Up. 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 13, 2021 • 25min
Nu Shooz on Creating I Can’t Wait – The 80s Dance Hit That Took Over the Charts
80s pop freestyle dance band Nu Shooz who are now Husband and Wife tell the story behind the 1986 smash hit I Can’t Wait which went to #1 on the dance club charts and crossed over to many charts. Valerie Day and John Smith tell the story of creating the song that would take their album Poolside to the masses. 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 11, 2021 • 17min
Burton Cummings on The Guess Who’s These Eyes – A 60s Classic with a Lasting Legacy
Canadian legend Burton Cummings who was the lead singer of The Guess Who tells the story of the 1969 classic top 10 hit, These Eyes with some interesting insight into composing it and funny commentary on how it was used in the comedy Superbad. 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 10, 2021 • 16min
3 Haunting 80s Cult Classics – The Cure, The B-52s & The Blue Nile
Up next we count down 3 80s cult classics including artist interviews. A Forest by the Cure from their 1980 album Seventeen Seconds Private Idaho by the B52’s from their 1980 album Wild Plant and The Downtown Lights by the Blue Nile from their 1989 album Hats 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 7, 2021 • 22min
How The Rolling Stones’ Paint It, Black Marked a Turning Point for the Band
The in depth story of the Rolling Stones 1966, #1 hit Paint it, Black and how the sitar started a new chapter in their glorious history including a power shift that took place marking the rise of the band’s chief composers Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and the inevitable exodus Brian Jones 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 6, 2021 • 31min
Glass Tiger on Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone) – Their 1986 Smash with Bryan Adams
The story of Canadian band Glass Tiger’s biggest hit, the 1986 #2 smash Don’t Forget Me When I’m Gone, with lead singer Alan Frew and Sam Reid. It was one of those tubular radio songs that were the backbone of our coming of age years. It also had an 80s legend who sang background vocals on it, Bryan Adams. 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 5, 2021 • 26min
How The Smiths’ How Soon Is Now? Evolved from a B-Side into an 80s Anthem
The compelling story of how Morrissey and Johnny Marr created one of the greatest epics in modern history: How Soon Is Now by The Smiths from 1984. Armed with One of the most arresting guitar riffs of the Rock Era inspired by an innocuous bubble gum pop song.. The story of how it became a touchstone for disaffected use is 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.
