Professor of Rock

Was House of the Rising Sun the first Folk Rock Hit? Eric Burdon the lead singer of the Animals tells us the story of one of the greatest songs in history along with an appearance by Roger McGuinn of the Byrds. 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.

The Bee Gees or the brothers Gibb. Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb have sold more than 220 million records over their storied career. In this Bee Gees documentary we celebrate their astonishing run as the most prolific group of the 70s and list their top 5 songs from Lonely Days to Stayin’ Alive, from Jive Talking to How Deep Is Your Love. These are the stories behind their incredible music. 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.

The Cure is one of the greatest bands in the history of music. They are exquisitely unique and frankly unrepeatable. Though Robert Smith and company have influenced scores of bands that have followed they have created music that is so intensely magical and so deliciously soul invigorating it’s almost impossible to try and define it I’m sure that my story with this band is no different than your own. They were one of the musical institutions that saved me in the youthful coming of age period of deep confusion and overpowering despair that is high school. Robert Smith is one of the most gifted poets and singers of any era going back centuries. I will spend many more hours in the future, celebrating their deep and expansive collection of songs and albums but today I focus on 5 hidden Gems, from some of their greatest albums like Disintegration, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, and The Head on the Door, also non singles, album tracks, b sides, the Cure has so many that are better than their hits and I want to cover 5 today that you should either discover or re visit as they are life changing and massively essential. Let’s get into it. 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.

Introducing a special interview with Ann Wilson of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Heart. If comic book movies are any indication of our culture, we are all curious about the origin story. Here we find out why Ann Wilson ended up singing and why her sister played the guitar. Because as You’ll find, Ann Wilson actually played the guitar before her sister. We find out the moments that shaped here. We also find out the story behind the classic 70s hit Magic Man. Along with Ann Wilson we get some insight from original bassist Steve Fossen and drummer Michael Derosier. 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.

Talent, Vision and Ambition. Madonna had them all. It’s nearly impossible for an artists to be the biggest thing since sliced bread this early in their career and then pull a serious artistic statement at the height of their fame while continuing their peak. Well Madonna did this in 1986. After blowing up as the material girl with her multiplatinum blockbuster Like A Virgin album, she was preparing to release her follow up, True Blue which had various potential pop hits on it from the catchy title track, to Open Your Heart and La Isla Bonita all sexy love songs that would easily play to the masses. Instead Madonna went against all conventional record executive wisdom and released Live To Tell, a heart wrenching ballad about abuse as the first single and Papa Don’t Preach about teenage pregnancy as the follow up. Live to tell is a pop masterpiece that overnight elevated Madonna from pop idol to serious artist. 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.

In this episode we break down a top ten chart from may of 1983 starring Michael Jackson, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Thomas Dolby, Men at Work, After the Fire, Prince and the Revolution, Toto etc.. As we study the chart we focus in on a hidden gem from the band Toto. I Wont Hold You Back from their blockbuster album TOTO IV. Steve Lukather and David Paich tells the story about writing it and it’s impact since. A must see episode. 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.

We lost one of the greatest voices of the 80s and beyond and when Tony Lewis the esteemed voice and bassist of the multi-platinum power pop band the Outfield passed way at just 62 years old. 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.

We go back to the year 1987 to get the story of the beautiful ballad Someday by multi-platinum Canadian band Glass Tiger. Interview with Alan Frew, the lead singer and co writer and Sam Reid, the keyboardist/songwriter tell the story of recording with famed Bryan Adams producer Jim Vallance. 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.

Honoring the great Johnny Nash: the artist behind all of our favorite sing-a-long and feel by Johnny Nash. Johnny was a Renaissance man for sure- he was a great writer, an unheralded singer, who also was an actor and an entrepreneur. Johnny had a very interesting tone to his tenor with a velvety soulfulness.He added a Reggae flavor to his instrument when he became enamored with Reggae music in the 60s. We are grateful for his beautiful music.. 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.

Pat Benatar’s rise to stardom is a narrative of relentless pursuit, and a heartwarming story of romantic alchemy. Once Pat Benatar knew what she wanted, she was fearless- scratching and clawing her way to becoming the Governess of Rock. Here we focus on her five greatest songs including We Belong, Love is a Battlefield, Hit Me With Your Best Shot and more. We also talk about Neil Girlaldo’s guitar playing and production. 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.