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
Jun 24, 2021 • 19min
Brian Wilson on God Only Knows – The Masterpiece of Pet Sounds
Up next, my Holy Grail interview. One of the last musical geniuses left on this earth Brian Wilson, co-founder of The Beach Boys and the Father of 60s pop tells the story behind God Only Knows from their masterpiece 1966 album Pet Sounds. 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.
Jun 23, 2021 • 16min
Cindy Wilson on The B-52s’ Roam – The Hit That Defined the Turn of a Decade
In an exclusive interview Cindy Wilson a founding member and singer from legendary New Wave Act the B52s who dominated the end of the 80s tells us the story behind their biggest hit Roam 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.
Jun 21, 2021 • 18min
Better Than Ezra on Good – The 90s Alternative Anthem That Took Over Rock Radio
As the Rock Era began to wrap up in the mid 90s Better Than Ezra that formed at LSU and rocketed to #1 on the modern rock charts with the #1 song GOOD a classic sing along song of it’s time. Singer Kevin Griffin and bassist Tim Drummond tell the story in this exclusive 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.
Jun 16, 2021 • 19min
The Unlikely Inspiration Behind Dire Straits’ Sultans of Swing
The story of the 1979 classic Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits. Mark Knopfler was inspired to write the song after witnessing a band playing Dixieland Jazz in a dive bar. 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.
Jun 15, 2021 • 26min
The Top 5 Rock Songs for Father’s Day – Celebrating the Father-Child Bond
In celebration of Father’s Day, we celebrate through the great songs about the Father/Child relationship from some of the greats including Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Peter Gabriel, Luther Vandross, Madonna and many more. We live in a cynical world and some people don’t believe in heroes, if you’re one of those people-- that don’t believe in heroes then you've never met my Dad, I’m sure many of you feel the same about your own father. So celebrate with this video and leave comments about your dad. It’s like Peter Gabriel said… “I could hold back the tide, with my dad by my side." 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.
Jun 14, 2021 • 20min
Andrew Farriss on Creating INXS’s Kick – The 1987 Album That Defined a Generation
INXS Co-founder and Co writer Andrew Farriss tells the story of creating the 1987 Kick album with Micheal Hutchence including the classic hits Devil Inside, Need You Tonight, Never Tear Us Apart and others. 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.
Jun 12, 2021 • 19min
Aaron Bruno on AWOLNATION’s Sail – The 2011 Rock Hit That Shattered Records
Aaron Bruno of modern rock band Awolnation tells the story of crating the smash rock hit Sail from Megalithic Symphony, one of the biggest songs of the last 10 years. A 2011 song that exploded on to the scene and at the time broke chart records including spending 79 week on the Hot 100. 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.
Jun 11, 2021 • 17min
Roger McGuinn & David Crosby on How The Byrds Made Mr. Tambourine Man a #1 Hit
In an exclusive interview Roger McGuinn and David Crosby who co-founded the Byrds share the story of one of the most influential songs in history Bob Dylan’s Mr. Tambourine Man. A number one hit in the midst of the British Invasion that changed the course of music history, ramping up the Folk Rock movement and inspiriting Bob Dylan to go electric, the co-pilots of the Byrds tell us the legendary story next including an acoustic rendition of the song 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.
Jun 9, 2021 • 13min
Stephan Jenkins on the Inspirational Story Behind Third Eye Blind’s Jumper
Up next Stephan Jenkins from San Francisco band Third Eye Blind or 3EB that ignited radio in 1997 and 1998 tells the inspirational story of their hit Jumper. 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.
Jun 4, 2021 • 19min
Journey’s Top 5 Hidden Gems of the 80s – Neal Schon & Jonathan Cain Reflect
Up next we count down the top 5 Journey Hidden gems. The deep tracks that in most cases are just as good as the hits. with commentary from the band members themselves including guitarist Neal Schon and keyboardist Jonathan Cain, with stories of creating the songs with Steve Perry including Escape, Still They Ride, I’ll Be Alright Without You, and other of their great 80s 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.
