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
Mar 13, 2021 • 20min
The Story Behind Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb – How Roger Waters & David Gilmour Created a Masterpiece
One of music’s most mercurial heroes, Roger Waters wrote lyrics for a progressive rock masterpiece with music by David Gilmour inspired by a tranquilizer shot back stage- big enough for an elephant to provide relief from painful stomach cramps brought on by a serious virus the artist DIDN’T EVEN KNOW HE HAD. The compelling story of the all time Pink Floyd classic Comfortably Numb 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.
Mar 12, 2021 • 17min
Patrick Leonard on Madonna’s Like a Prayer – The 1989 Pop Anthem That Sparked Controversy
Up next the story of one of the biggest songs of 1989 from the queen of pop Madonna that would breed controversy and complete the transition from star to serious artist. An interview with co-writer Patrick Leonard on the incredible pop symphony, Like A Prayer with Prince on guitar. 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.
Mar 9, 2021 • 16min
The Story Behind Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams – Stevie Nicks’ Heartfelt Breakup Anthem
When you listen to the modern day standard "Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac, you may not immediately hear the sadness. You may not recognize that it is song about a failing relationship. 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.
Mar 8, 2021 • 15min
80s Mixtape: Stories from Toto, Men at Work, The Church, and More
It’s time for a new segment that we’ll be bringing to you called 80s Mixtape, featuring multiple artist on some of the memorable stories of their songs. We’ve released hundreds of hours of content over the last year on this channel and we picked out 5 of our greatest hits if you will, with some new commentary to make a little POR mixtape, funny stories from the likes of Toto on working on Michael Jackson Thriller, Rick Springfield on Affair of the Heart , Men At Work on creating the #1 hit Down Under , the Church on their dark song, Reptile, and Ray Parker Jr. on Ghostbusters This a great video mixtape to start off the week. 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.
Mar 6, 2021 • 21min
Top 5 Forgotten 70s Songs You Need to Hear – Featuring Artist Interviews
The 70s were the golden decade of classic rock. If you turn on any classic rock radio station you’ll likely hear a lot of the great bands and songs over and over, but up next we are going to countdown 5 songs from legendary rock artists that don’t get the airplay they deserve. Yep it’s our first edition of 70s hidden gems with commentary from key members of the 70s biggest bands including Burton Cummings formerly of The Guess Who, Blue Oyster Cult, Don McLean and Suzi Quatro as well as Boston’s first drummer and more. 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.
Mar 5, 2021 • 25min
The Story Behind The Beatles’ Perfect Double A-Side – Penny Lane & Strawberry Fields Forever
The collaborative genius of Lennon & McCartney created many of the most celebrated compositions ever recorded- including two heartfelt & evocative pieces of musical theater that demonstrated why The Beatles were the most impactful group of the Rock Era. The story of the powerful double-A side masterpiece- “Penny Lane” and “Strawberry Fields Forever” 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.
Mar 1, 2021 • 14min
The Story Behind The Grass Roots’ Let’s Live for Today – A 60s Hidden Gem That Comforted Soldiers
Up next the story of a song that resonated strongly with soldiers who were sent to fight in the Vietnam war. Let’s Live For Today Written by a classic songwriting team PF. Sloan and Steve Barri for the Grass Roots who were put together by the legendary music man Lou Adler comforted many who were drafted to go to war. Let’s Live for Today went to the top 10 in 1967.The story of this poignant composition from key band member Warren Entner who would go onto manage many bands including Rage Against the Machine and Faith No More 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.
Feb 26, 2021 • 24min
The Misunderstood Meaning Behind Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Sweet Home Alabama
It’s a song that virtually everyone can sing a long to, but it’s also one of the most controversial and misunderstood tracks of the Rock Era. The colorful & traumatic story of Lynyrd Skynyrd & their eternal American rock classic “Sweet Home Alabama” and why Ronnie Van Zant was one of the greatest frontmen of his time 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.
Feb 22, 2021 • 34min
Rupert Holmes on the Story Behind Escape (The Piña Colada Song) – A Hit in Both the 70s & 80s
It's very rare that a song peaks on the charts where it bookends one decade and a few weeks later starts another where it seems like the feeling of the song itself is both look back and looking forward. Escape (the Pina Colada song) by Rupert Holmes has become a pop culture phenomenon. The story is up 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.
Feb 20, 2021 • 17min
Steve Kilbey on The Church’s Under the Milky Way – The Haunting 1988 Rock Hit
Up next, one of the most haunting songs of the 1980s Under the Milky Way by The Church. Lead singer and writer of this classic song Steve Kilbey tells us what influenced the song and if you guessed a million times, you would never come close to what the answer is. The story of this mysterious 1988 hit from their gold album Starfish 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.
