Professor of Rock
Professor of Rock is a music history podcast hosted by Adam Reader, exploring the stories behind classic rock songs from the 1960s to the 1980s. Each episode features exclusive interviews with legendary artists, deep dives into song creation, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes. The show covers chart-topping hits, one-hit wonders, and the creative breakthroughs that shaped rock music. It's a nostalgic journey for fans of the golden era of rock.
Episodes
Double-Cross! The Wildest Betrayals in Music History
Today I have a new show for ya all. Ya know, sometimes the music industry can seem more like a blood sport than an art form. For every legendary band forged in brotherhood, there's a back-alley betrayal that left someone burning in the wreckage. On today’s episode, we’re counting down the stories they don't put in the liner notes… tales of betrayal and backstabbing. We’re calling this one
The Story Behind Tommy James’ “Draggin’ the Line” and His Near-Death Collapse
Tommy James was the leader of one of the most successful acts of the 60s, Tommy James and the Shondells. Together they had 14 Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 from 1965 to 1970. But it all came crashing down for Tommy when, at what ended up as the band’s last performance, he collapsed backstage and was even pronounced dead! Tommy didn’t die, but when he regained consciousness he was
FROM THE VAULT: How Pearl Jam’s “Daughter” Became a #1 Hit Despite Their Rejection of Fame
Let's run it back! It was Pearl Jam against the world when they were working on their follow up album to Ten that sold more copies that even Nirvana Nevermind in the early 90s. But as Eddie Vedder and co prepared for VS. their sophomore offering, they were tired of fame. They had planned on ten doing so well and they refused to do promotion of the album in terms of music videos etc… The a
Countdown: The Greatest Hits of 1977 and the Stories Behind Them
Coming up, a year of classics and all-time songs. The songs that will take you back because they sound exactly like the year they were ruling the charts in the 70s... including the song Just a Song Before I Go by CSN, that was motivated by a bet that a legendary singer couldn’t write a song in 10 minutes. Not only did he win the bet, but it became his legendary group’s biggest hit. Plus,
Top 10 Times Rock Stars Sabotaged Their Careers, Concerts, and Hit Songs
You gotta see this! Back by popular demand, it’s time for another sabotage countdown. In the past, we’ve told stories of bands that undercut rivals on stage, acts that have tried to tank their most popular song, and even bands who have accidentally sabotaged their careers. We’ve got all that and more this time around. Including the story of singer Shirley Manson who cussed a fan out in th
Is Journey's Steve Perry the G.O.A.T...? The Professor of Rock and Black Pegasus Discuss!
I’ve never done this before. Coming up I show a fellow YouTuber and rapper my favorite Journey song "it's a classic" and get his immediate take as we discuss the song in depth and listen to the entire song. The Greatest Singer of All Time Steve Perry I play a full song for the first time ever on my channel. Make sure to subscribe below and check out Black Pegasus channel and subscribe to
Top 10 Modern TV Themes: The Songs That Defined Stranger Things, The Sopranos, and More
You know, a great TV theme song is more than just an earworm. The best of the best rewire your brain so that, decades later, hearing it, you’re teleported straight back to the year you first heard it. We’ve had a lot of fun with this TV theme song series, covering tracks from all across the rock era. Today, we’re at it again, counting down the Top 10 picks for the best modern themes… We’v
FROM THE VAULT: Eddie Van Halen Tribute
Let's take it back with this POR Classic!We lost one of the most influential and innovative guitarist of the Rock Era, when Eddie Van Halen succumbed to his long battle with throat cancer. He was only 65 years old. the word Legend is thrown around too much in the world we live in now. The over use of the term waters down the meaning for true legends and make no mistake the word legend was
Top Songs of 1983: The One-Hit Wonders, MTV Classics, and Forgotten Stories Behind the Hits
Coming up, the stories of 11 songs that defined the sound of another great year in music. Maybe the greatest year in music history. 1983. So many classics that will take you back to the good old days, including the massive hit by a band that nobody could pronounce. Plus 6 former criminals who formed the band Madness and had one of the most famous one-hit wonders ever, Our House, yet in th
UNCUT Interview: Michael Anthony Reveals the Stories Behind Van Halen’s Biggest Hits and Hidden Gems
Coming up, the stories of 11 songs that defined the sound of another great year in music. Maybe the greatest year in music history. 1983. So many classics that will take you back to the good old days, including the massive hit by a band that nobody could pronounce. Plus 6 former criminals who formed the band Madness and had one of the most famous one-hit wonders ever, Our House, yet in th
Rock Legends vs. the Critics: The Most Infuriating Music Reviews Ever
Today we’re firing up the hot take machine and taking on the worst opinions from those who I’ve never really seen eye to eye with … “ the so-called music Critic.” On this episode, we’re going to break down the most insufferable takes from institutional gatekeepers, and all around pretentious, smug, and out-of-touch pundits… whom sometimes I wonder if they really even enjoy music. I’ve go
Unsolved Mysteries of Rock: The Singer Strangled by Her Own Band Merch
A few weeks ago, we had our first episode of Unsolved Mysteries of Rock and Roll, and I got hundreds of requests for another episode. So today, we're pulling back the curtain on some of the most jaw-dropping true crime tales from the archives of popular music. Including one guitar legend who rolled up on the front lawn of a Beverly Hills mansion in a fully armed military assault vehicle…
FROM THE VAULT: How "Walk Like an Egyptian" Broke Up The Bangles
Let's run it back! It’s a song with a storied history and a bittersweet legacy. But you’d never know just listening to it. That’s because this is one of those happy-go-lucky pop tunes we were all singing along with back in the 80s. However, in the studio and behind the scenes… it was a different story. Walk Like An Egyptian by the Bangles. This song was actually the catalyst for this band
The Wild Stories Behind 1975’s Biggest Songs: Styx, Average White Band, Carl Douglas & More
Coming up, we’re going back to a year that was all over the place with some wonderful variety and unconventional songs that became beloved, hits that defined the year they came out. It’s our latest time in a bottle countdown! There’s a party classic KC and the Sunshine Band's Get Down Tonight that made a writing collaboration a ton of money, but they blew it all on blow, an instrumental b
Countdown: The Most Unhinged Crazy Ex Songs in Music History
Coming up, we're taking an in-depth look at one of rock's most entertaining topics… The “crazy ex” song… as in crazy ex-girlfriends, boyfriends, husbands, wives, whatever….we’ve all been there… or at least know someone who has. If you’ve ever had someone take a baseball bat to a windshield or go completely scorched earth on you for reasons you’re still trying to understand, this countdown
The Sci-Fi Hit That Shocked the World in 1969 - The Untold Story of “In the Year 2525"
Coming up, it’s a duo from Lincoln, Nebraska - Zager & Evans - who transfixed listeners everywhere with a prophecy that there will come a time when machines will completely take over…. humans won’t need teeth…legs…or eyes….that’s if man can even survive… The story of “In the Year 2525” is a truly strange song that foretold the future of mankind, more than 500 years from now. The ban
The Saddest Decline in Rock? Why Some Legendary Frontmen Can’t Sing Anymore
In rock, the voice is just as important as any other instrument in the band. But what happens when those vocals begin to fade or even fail? It’s a singer’s worst nightmare. Well, on today’s episode, we’re calling attention to three singers who have had an incredible run, but it may be time to ride off into the sunset. In the words of The Clash… It’s time to ask Should I Stay or Should I G
1988’s Greatest Hits Countdown: Icehouse, Gloria Estefan, Richard Marx, Foreigner & Terence Trent D’Arby
Coming up, we’re telling the stories of songs that shaped one of the best years in popular music, songs that define today's year more than any other... including Icehouse's Electric Blue that was inspired while an artist was nervously walking along a topless beach. Plus, the breakout song Wishing Well by Terrance Trent D'Arby, who thought the industry was conspiring against him so that he
FROM THE VAULT: How Stevie Nicks’ “Edge of Seventeen” Proved Her Solo Star Power
We're bringing it back! Standing at the crossroads of her career, Stevie Nicks traded in the surefire success of Fleetwood Mac after Rumors and Tusk for a shot to prove she could do it on her own. But solo success wouldn’t come easy. Especially when two tragedies affected the progress of her album. The first of these would shake us all. The death of Beatle John Lennon The other was more p
The Tragic Stories Behind 5 Songs That Became Hits After the Artists Died
Sometimes the most powerful voices in music stay silent for years and decades… never getting their due until after they’ve left this planet. You could call them post-mortem hitmakers. Today, we’re covering 5 artists who poured their hearts into their craft only to face rejection and obscurity while they were alive… but then their music went viral after their deaths. We’ve got a singer Chr
The Story of The Rascals’ “Groovin’” and the Band’s Incredible Hit Streak
How about this for an amazing rock story? So The Rascals coming off a big #1, in Good Lovin’ the band wrote Groovin', they truly believed it would be another hit for them. But one of the most famous record men in history, Jerry Wexler, didn’t like it at all. So he discouraged Atlantic Records from releasing it. Well, the famous DJ Murray the K was STUNNED because he knew Groovin' was a #1
1980’s Most Misunderstood Songs
With the state of the world right now, today I’m going to take you back to the good old days. Nostalgia overload. We're going to celebrate a group of songs that freeze a specific moment in time, preserving it for the future, much like the expression time in a bottle. One of the songs, Escape (The Pina Colada Song), began as a nod to the golden movie era of Humphrey Bogart, before the sing
Rock’s Biggest Punchlines: Alanis Morissette, Avril Lavigne, Kenny G & More
Coming up…Its' Another Volume of Songs that have become PUNCHLINES! Today we’re back with more pop culture jabs, left hooks, and knockout blows… That’s right, it’s another edition of the fan favorite “Punchlines.” And for this one, we’ve got memes, parodies, and some late-night show mockery all combining to poke fun at musicians who may or may not have had it coming. For this one, we’ve g
The Untold Stories Behind Michael Jackson’s Biggest Hits and Collaborators
So I recently went through an inventory of all of the interviews I’ve done over the years… There’s never 800s at this point, and from memory, I realized that I’ve talked to dozens of legends, producers, and songwriters who have worked directly with Michael Jackson. Now Michael Jackson has taken over the world. The new Movie Micheal set a record for the biggest opening for a biopic ever, a
Rock’s Strangest Deaths and Disappearances: 5 Unsolved Music Mysteries
Do you all remember Unsolved Mysteries? Well, today is a rock and roll unsolved mysteries episode. Today we're diving into five legendary stories of musicians who left us under circumstances that just don't add up. I’m talking about bizarre and suspicious circumstances… And we’ve got more questions than answers here. But all of them are great stories. From deathbed murder confessions to s
FROM THE VAULT: How Dire Straits Revolutionized Music and Replaced Disco Icons
The fact is Dire Straits interrupted disco in the late 70s with the classic song Sultans of Swing that would take radio hostage! with their unique sound and singer Mark Knopfler’s gruff iconic vocals. but they were victims of the sophomore slump when their 2nd record faltered and flailed on the charts. Determined to bounce back with a statement album, Knopfler heard a song on the radio th
Career Killers: How Winger, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and After the Fire Lost Their Momentum
So in the music business, the climb to the top can take years and years of grueling hard work. But a fall from grace? That can happen in the blink of an eye. Today, we are back with another episode of "Career Killers.” We haven’t done one of these in a while, so it’s time! We’ve got the story of Winger, who had to cancel their upcoming tour and call it quits after their credibility was de
DATED Countdown: “Voices Carry,” Axel F, Madonna Controversy & Animotion’s Double Hit Story
Coming up, we focus & rank a group of songs that depict a specific year in popular music so remarkably well, they sound exactly like the moment they came out. It’s our latest edition of DATED. Including singer Aimee Mann, who was kidnapped as a child, and after she was rescued, had to learn to speak again from the trauma. Her voice became a beacon to many on one of the most haunting s
9 More Wild Rock Stories: Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” Iron Maiden’s 666 Curse & Rod Stewart
Not long ago, after the channel reached 1.5 million subs, I shared a video on the Professor of Rock Greatest Hits: my top 9 picks for the greatest song stories in the history of this channel. In the comments section, I was flooded with requests for a Greatest Hits Volume 2. So here it is…. 9 more hits with new stories and insights... including the #1 rock band Def Leppard, who followed up
1970 Deep Dive: John Lennon’s “Across the Universe,” Gregg Allman, and Songs That Flopped but Became Classics
Today, we put one of rock’s greatest years, 1970, under the microscope and explore songs that we all know and love but failed as hits. There’s a story about Gregg Allman, who was so excited to lay down a song that came into his head, he got high and broke into a closed recording studio in the middle of the night. But he was struggling to find that one lyric to finish it, and it was his ro
Top Rock Sibling Rivalries: Oasis’ Liam & Noel, The Everly Brothers Breakup, The Carpenters Conflict
Rock and roll has always been a family business. And family… well, family is complicated. Growing up together, fighting together, making history together — and sometimes, destroying each other's dreams in the process. Today, we're counting down the most explosive sibling rivalries in rock history. And trust me, these stories are gonna entertain! Like the legendary Everly Brothers, whose d
Rock and Roll Sabotage: The Performances, Feuds, and Mistakes That Destroyed Careers
We started this series a month ago, and I was overwhelmed with feedback for another episode. So, for this one, I’ve got 7 more stories of rock and roll sabotage and treachery. You know, sometimes the music industry is a band’s worst enemy, but then again, sometimes a band can be their own worst enemy, too. And today’s episode is the proof. We’ll tell you about a Saturday Night Live perfor
Paul Shaffer’s Letterman Stories: Legendary Performances, Live TV Chaos, and Rock History
So last year I was on David Letterman’s Show… Or Barbara Gaines Show. But I found out that David Letterman watches our show, and I was blown away. Well, I had the chance to interview his famous sidekick, Paul Shaffer, and was able to geek out with him on music... including some of my favorite moments on the Letterman show. So here is that interview session with Paul, including commentary
How Ace Frehley Outsold Kiss With His Solo Record and Proved Everyone Wrong
Coming up, we’re celebrating the birthday of legendary KISS guitarist Ace Frehley with this classic episode from 2024.In this one, we dig deep into the catalog of one of rock’s greatest party bands—KISS—highlighting 5 essential tracks that help tell their wild story. From outrageous moments like concert car crashes to the band’s unexpected clash with disco, these songs capture the chaos,
FROM THE VAULT: How Stevie Nicks’ Landslide Saved Her Career and Led to Fleetwood Mac
Let's throw it back! Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham were lovers who had been trying to make it in music for years. After some fiery arguments, years of failures and poverty, Stevie decided to quit music for good. One night she put all that pain into a song she called Landslide. Almost over night after writing that classic she and Lindsey met Fleetwood Mac and they were asked to join
8 Truly Demented Rock Songs That Somehow Became Classics
Sometimes the most memorable songs aren't the ones that scale the charts, but the ones that defy all logic. I’m talking about tracks that stop you cold …Dead in your tracks and make you ask, "What the hell did I just listen to?" Like Angine de Poitrine. Today, we're celebrating 8 of Rock's Strangest Songs that broke every rule in the book. Including the Peter Gabriel who ruled 1986 with
Top 11 Dated Songs of 1979 Countdown: Styx, Anita Ward, Dr. Hook, Rod Stewart, and More
Coming up, we turn the spotlight on 10 songs that embody the period of the Rock Era when disco was on its last leg, and rock was making a comeback!. It’s our latest Dated countdown. Songs that are distinctly of their time….including one song, Pop Musik, that got its pre-chorus from a perfume bottle, another one, When You’re In Love With a Beautiful Woman, that may never have been recorded
FROM THE VAULT: The Iconic Miami Vice Soundtrack – How It Defined 80s TV and Music
The story of the biggest tv soundtrack of the 1980s: Miami Vice from the Theme by Jan Hammer to the two Glenn Frey tracks You Belong to the City and Smuggler’s Blues… cowritten by frequent Eagles collaborator Jack Tempchin who tells the story of writing them. Get ready for a showstopper we’re going back to 1985.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice
Inside Bruce Hornsby’s Greatest Songs
So when I started doing this, I made a list of 15 artists I wanted to do an in-depth interview with before I leave this planet, and so far I’ve checked off about half my list with Sting, Brian Wilson, and a few others. Well, I just checked off another one... Coming up it’s the evolution of one of my favorite artists ever… Ya know, as a Gen-Xer coming of age in the 80s, there were only a d
Top 3 Saga Songs: Why This Underrated Rock Band Deserved Better
Alright, I’ve gotten more requests for this band than any of the last couples years… and they are definitely one of the most under-appreciated bands in rock history. —a group that sold 10 million albums and became superstars in Europe. But back here in America, they are a well-kept secret. Their debut album accidentally became a massive import hit in Germany, selling 50,000 copies before
FROM THE VAULT: Revisiting the Top 10 Songs of 1984: Which Hit Stands the Test of Time?
In this episode from the vault, we’re going to go behind the Top 10 songs of this same week from the year 1984. But we’re not stopping there. After we count them down, we’re re-ranking them according to all-time streams and views, to find out which one has left the biggest mark on history. This time around we’ve got some of the greatest hits from the 80s all duking it out for that coveted
Countdown: Legendary Songs That Missed the Charts but Became Iconic
Today is a special countdown that proves that rock and roll never dies. As the 80s were ending, there were songs that didn’t ever become official hit songs, like AC/DC's Thunderstruck. It didn’t even make the Hot 100 charts, but it's now over 6 billion plays and has outperformed every number one hit of the year it came from.In fact it’s has 4 times as many streams as any hit from the year
FROM THE VAULT: Perry Farrell on the Story Behind Jane’s Addiction’s Jane Says – An Alternative Rock Classic
Let's take it back with this 2021.Up next the Godfather of Alternative rock Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction tells us the very personal story of one of the true standards of 1988, Jane Says. We solve the mystery of this very eerie and brilliant song and the woman who inspired the song and the band’s name. Plus he goes in depth on how he created the band’s seminal album cover. A bonafide
Punchlines Countdown: James Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful,” the Spice Girls, Tom Jones & More
Coming up, we’re back at it again. It’s the third edition of one of this channel’s new favorite shows: Punchlines! And for this one, we’re counting down 6 more entries of songs that have become punchlines, and we’re telling some stories that will make you do a double-take. Including how everyone thinks the #1 hit You're Beautiful is a romantic ballad, but it’s actually about a drug-fueled
Top 8 Female Hidden Gems: Shakespears Sister, Joan Jett, Michelle Branch & More
Coming up, we're counting down 8 great female hidden gems… songs by some of the industry’s best that too often get overlooked. And on this episode, we’ve got the story of upstart singer Marcella Detroit, who stole the mic and the spotlight on Shakespears Sister's biggest single Stay. And the principal singer Siobhan Fahey got so jealous, she fired her through an award ceremony acceptance
Dated Hit Songs of 1987: Madonna, Genesis, Yes & One-Hit Wonders
Coming up, we jump back to a glorious year in music, to remember some hit songs that were so indicative of that period of popular music, you will cry tears of nostalgia…Were going back to 1987….We’ll tell the story about Chris de Burgh seeing his wife across the room at a party, and he was so enchanted by her presence after taking her for granted that he wrote the classic 80s hit Lady in
How Phil Collins Turned a Nonsense Word into a #1 Hit: The Story of “Sussudio”
COMING up the story of the #1 1985 smash Sussudio by Phil Collins. Based on a made-up word…. One that just fell out of Phil’s mouth while he was singing. Even Phil had no idea what it meant. Unable to think of anything better, Collins decided to just make up a meaning. But as weird as it is, this song completely captivated listeners. However, as Sussudio started gaining traction as part o
Most Misinterpreted Songs: 6 Classic Rock Double Entendres Ranked
So this one’s gonna turn a few heads. Today’s show is all about misinterpreted songs… that may or may not be about “getting it on…Today We’re counting down 6 tracks you've been singing along to for decades… That may be the ultimate double entendre…Or maybe not… But today we’re having it both ways… We’re also debunking some tracks that people are certain are double entendres. But either wa
FROM THE VAULT: How Led Zeppelin’s “D’yer Mak’er” Confused Fans and Became Their Most Mispronounced Hit
Let's run it back! How Led Zeppelin followed one of the biggest selling albums of all time, the 70s classic, Led Zeppelin IV with a bold venture that utterly confused their core faithful. It would’ve been a ’no-brainer’ to simply stay the course, and give the fans what they were used to. But Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham went the other way, and purposely abando
The Soundtracks That Made Cult Classics: Dazed and Confused, Pretty in Pink, Napoleon Dynamite, and The Crow
Coming up, we’re taking a field trip to the movies to study cult classic films that owe their success to their incredible soundtracks. Some of these films would have never survived without the music that backed their most iconic moments. There’s the iconic 70s stoner flick Dazed and Confused, named after a song by the Lords of Rock. But when the director wanted to use one of their songs i
FROM THE VAULT: The Mystery Behind Jimi Hendrix and the Meaning of "Purple Haze"
FROM THE VAULT: On March 31, 1967, Jimi Hendrix shocked the world by setting his guitar on fire, cementing his legend as rock’s most unpredictable genius. But behind the flames was a far more complex artist. In this episode, we dive into the myths, mysteries, and misunderstood truths surrounding Hendrix… a left-handed virtuoso who loved science fiction, kept parakeets, and constantly
Top 10 Non-Hits Better Than the #1 Songs: The Cure, Nine Inch Nails, Tears for Fears & More
Coming up…. a passionate spotlight on 10 non-hits that are far better than the number one hits from the epic year they come from. including a song that’s bass line is epic it make you wonder of if the band made a deal with the devil to get it which is what the song is about plus there’s the song born from the ashes of a house fire—everything burned except a wallet, and the spared contents
From Freddie Mercury to Steve Perry: 6 Rock Bands Replaced Beyond Recognition
Alright, it’s go time. Today, we’re going all in on band roster chaos! You know, some rock line-ups are built for the long-haul… But more often, bandmates come and go whether we like it or not. Infighting, personality clashes, creative differences, sheer fatigue, and even tragedies all take a toll on bands… On today’s countdown I’m giving you 6 band line-ups that have changed so drastical
“Drops of Jupiter,” “Hey, Soul Sister” & Train’s Biggest Hits: Pat Monahan Interview
So I was deleting some old files on my laptop and hard drives the other day, and I came upon an interview I did a long time ago…It must have gotten buried because I didn’t even remember doing it. But it’s from a multi-platinum hitmaking singer who’s written a few modern classics, including a dozen hits and several that went to #1. So even though I’m going to be cutting back on interviews,
FROM THE VAULT: Steven Tyler & Joe Perry on the Story Behind Aerosmith’s Sweet Emotion – Their 70s Breakout Hit
In honor of the great Steven Tyler's 78th birthday, we bring you back to this classic from 2021.In the early 70s 'the bad boys of Boston” know as Aerosmith were a maelstrom of chaos, and chemically induced tension. The leaders Steven Tyler and Joe Perry battled through their toxic relationship between themselves, and an interloper to produce a rockin’ rampage that started with bassist Tom
Songs That Became Classics in Concert: Peter Frampton, Stevie Nicks, Bob Seger & More
Coming up, we’re temporarily trading in the studio album cuts for the “in concert” experience. On this episode, we’re counting down 7 classic live tracks that have surpassed their original recordings. Classic songs that are even better in concert. We’ve got the story of Peter Frampton, who woke up with a wine glass in hand after a heavy night of drinking. He took one look at himself and
Foreigner’s “Cold as Ice”: Lou Gramm and Mick Jones on the Story Behind the Classic Hit
Coming up, today’s band Foreigner took a frigid walk through New York City in minus 20-degree weather to nail down their classic 70s song Cold as Ice… a top 10 single about a gold-digging ice queen. A lot of people have wondered through the years if it was based on a real girl, and we’ll get to the bottom of that. Apparently, after finishing Cold as Ice, one of the song’s co-writers, Mick
Forgotten #1 Hits of 1978: Andy Gibb, Rolling Stones & the Dark Stories Behind Them
Coming up on Professor of Rock, we’re diving back to 70s to rediscover 10 hits that were brilliantly crafted for their era—so of course they never quite faded away. But they are stuck in that wonderful decade. We’ll spotlight a duet that rewired the wholesome image of Olivia Newton-John, who dared to take bold risks on screen and on vinyl. There’s the track Miss You from one of the Rollin
The Best ’90s Cartoon Theme Songs Ranked: From The Simpsons to X-Men
Alright, we’ve done the 60s, the 70s, and the 80s… But we’ve still got another decade to cover. On this latest episode of Professor of Rock, we’re counting down the most iconic cartoon theme songs from the 90s. And you’re not going to believe some of these stories. In the 90s, it seemed like the biggest rock stars were lining up to get in on the cartoon action… From Aerosmith to Devo to M
PODCAST EXCLUSIVE: Full Length Interview with Gavin Rossdale of Bush
In this exclusive, full-length interview, Adam sits down with Gavin Rossdale, the voice and driving force behind the legendary band Bush.Gavin opens up like never before, taking us on a candid journey through the highs, the struggles, and the defining moments that led to the formation of one of the most iconic rock bands of the ’90s. From the uncertainty of his early days to the breakthro
Top 10 Non-Hits of ’85: The Stories Behind Oingo Boingo, Dire Straits, The Smiths, INXS, and More
Coming up, we tell the story of songs that had deep meaning to the writer, and to us, the listeners, who locked into their emotional power. And they are songs that are some of the most celebrated ever, but were surprisingly never HITS! We’ll tell the tale about Oingo Boingo's Dead Man's Party, a song that was inspired while staying at a haunted hotel where multiple deaths took place. And
FROM THE VAULT: Sammy Hagar on Joining Van Halen & Creating the 80s Anthem “Dreams”
We're serving up another Vault classic in honor of POR's Sammy Hagar giveaway. In this classic episode, the Red Rocker himself, Sammy Hagar tells us how he joined Van Halen and the resulting Music. He also tells the story behind creating the game changing song Dreams, the second single from their 1986 album 5150 which was the first Van Halen album to go to #1. The album 5150 is named afte
Top 9 Greatest Song Stories in Rock History: From “Gloomy Sunday” to the MAS*H Theme
Coming up, we just hit 1.5 million subscribers! And to celebrate I’m giving some love to a “lost art” in the music biz, the Greatest Hits Record… but with a twist! Back in the day, these compilations were a vital part of our collections: Beatles Red and Blue, Eagles (1971-1975), Fleetwood Mac, Queen, Journey,… we all loved having all the hits in one place. Today I’ve got my picks for
From Lost Album to Classic Rock Radio: How Steve Miller Revived Paul Pena’s “Jet Airliner”
Up next, a true story of resilience and redemption as we tell the story of STEVE MILLER BAND and their classic song Jet Airliner… a song that was trapped on an unreleased album by a guy named Paul Pena, who was stopped by legal battles and a ruthless manager, who was hell-bent on destroying his career. But hope emerged from an unexpected source when legendary rock star and "gangster of
Top 6 Times Rock Stars Sabotaged Themselves: Oasis MTV Unplugged, Cyndi Lauper, The Replacements, and More
Today, the name of the game is “Sabotage!” And it's sabotage in every sense of the word. And on this episode, we've got stories of self-destruction, tales of bands mutilating their songs in concert, and even undercutting rival bands onstage. We’ll tell the story of Liam Gallagher, who refused to perform Oasis's MTV Unplugged gig. And instead, he actually heckled his bandmates from the bal
Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet Interview: The Story of “True”… and the Boy Band Hit That Copied It
Coming up next an interview with one of the greatest voices of the 80s…Tony Hadley who fronted new romantic band Spandau Ballet. He tells the story of their greatest songs including the classic TRUE and in the middle of the interview I shock him with the news that a boy band totally ripped off his classic song plus their other classics like Gold and his story of meeting Frank Sinatra. Let
Taboo Time! Why These 6 Rock Songs Caused Outrage
Rock has always had a rebellious streak… that’s why we love it, right? Well, coming up, I’m counting down 6 songs that stirred up controversy and pissed off all the wrong people. These are tracks that got banned, blacklisted, and canceled by gatekeepers and tastemakers. We’re back at it again with another edition of Taboo Songs! And one of these tracks by George Michael was one of the mos
FROM THE VAULT: Sammy Hagar on Writing Van Halen’s Underrated 80s Gem “Best of Both Worlds” with Eddie Van Halen
In 1986 Van Halen released their first album with new lead singer Sammy Hagar. 5150 became the band’s first number one album in the US and included three top 25 hits. It also contained a mind blowing rocker, Best of Both Worlds was a perfect pairing of Eddie’s guitar and Sammy’s voice that should’ve been a massive hit. Next up the story of this Van Halen classic with commentary by Sammy H
Huge ’80s Songs That Didn’t Age Well: Stories Behind Autograph, Cyndi Lauper, Nena, and Rockwell
Coming up….we celebrate songs from one of the greatest years in music. These songs were HUGE back in the day, but decades later, sound really DATED. Just because they haven’t held up well doesn’t diminish our love for the songs, but it makes for an interesting study in music. One of the songs, Turn Up the Radio, came from a bunch of drinking buddies who were all in other bands but jammed
The Life and Legacy of Neil Sedaka
We lost another great one, and for me, this one really hurt. I was honored to spend several hours with the legendary singer-songwriter and comeback kid Neil Sedaka several years ago, and we really hit it off. In fact, he sent me Christmas cards and kept in touch in the years after that. I was honored to call him a friend. Neil was definitely one of the good guys in music. He wrote so man
6 Shocking Rock Comebacks: Def Leppard, Frank Sinatra, Nickelback and the Biggest Career Revivals
Coming up, it’s never over until it’s over. On this episode, we’re featuring 6 bands and artists whose careers were buried 6 feet deep. All of them had already made it big. Fame and fortune, chart-topping hits, best-selling albums, legions of adoring fans… they had it all… well, until they didn’t. The music industry is very fickle, and even the best can fall on hard times. But today, we’r
FROM THE VAULT: The Story Behind the "Footloose" Soundtrack
Coming up next, a star-studded event with a diverse group of legends telling the story behind one of the Biggest movie soundtracks of the 80s. Footloose. It was one of only 5 albums to hit #1 the year it came out. A record that still stands and as a soundtrack it had 6 top 40 hits Footloose by Kenny Loggins, Let’s Hear it For the Boy by Deniece Williams, Almost Paradise by Mike Reno of Lo
The Animals’ “House of the Rising Sun”..: Who Really Wrote It?
Coming up, another great song mystery. It’s a famous song everyone knows: House of the Rising Sun. But Nobody really knows who wrote it or what it’s specifically about. Today we have a special guest to help us solve it, The Animals Eric Burdon. It was either about a hooker or a prisoner. It’s centuries old but became a #1 hit when the lead singer of today’s Hall of Fame band covered it a
Fleetwood Mac’s Most Turbulent Era
Today, we're diving into one of the most turbulent, passionate, and creatively explosive sagas in rock history. This British-American supergroup, Fleetwood Mac, turned their personal disasters into platinum records. But somehow, through all the substance abuse and betrayal, they channeled their misery into one of the most epic rock careers ever. For this episode, we’ve got the story of tw
FROM THE VAULT: 5 Forgotten 70s Hits to Rediscover
In this edition of 70s Hidden Gems, we dangerously hover over some gory pulp fiction with Bloodrock’s freaky D.O.A, We drift down the sea of heartbreak with Ian Gomm’s Hold On….and come together for a union of humanity with Livingston Taylor “I Will Be In Love With You" (James Taylor’s brother) and Lindisfarne with Run For Home and Robert Palmer’s Every Kind of People. This is A showcase
The Greatest ’70s Classics That Weren’t Hits — Carole King, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones & More
Coming up, some of the greatest songs of the 70s have one thing in common. Even though they are classics and you hear all the time on classic rock radio, they were never hits. Some struggled and did not make the Top 40 on the Billboard chart, and some were not even released as singles. We'll share the story of legendary singer Carole King who had 24 hits before the age of 20, but when she
FROM THE VAULT: The Dark Side of the Moon — Pink Floyd’s Masterpiece Turns Another Year
On March 1st, 1973, Pink Floyd released The Dark Side of the Moon — an album that redefined what rock music could be.In this episode, we revisit the making of this landmark record with legendary engineer Alan Parsons, who shares firsthand stories from inside Abbey Road Studios. From the heartbeat that opens the album to classics like “Time,” “Money,” and “The Great Gig in t
6 Songs That Became Pop Culture Punchlines
Oh man, this one is going to be something else. Today we're counting down 6 songs that became pop culture punchlines… These tracks that got mocked, misunderstood, and in some cases, flat-out destroyed. I’m talking about one musical legend, Isaac Hayes, whose biggest song, the Theme from Shaft, was parodied in pop culture more times than you can count, including by the Cookie Monster. But
Remembering Billy Steinberg: The Songwriters Hall of Famer Behind 5 #1 ’80s Hits
We've had a tough couple of weeks in the music world, with the recent passing of an incredible 80s songwriter, Billy Steinberg. He penned five number one 80s songs for some of the era's biggest female artists, making him a true legend in songwriting. Dive into this episode of the music podcast to remember his famous songs and the impact of 80s music. Songwriters Hall of Famer Billy Steinb
FROM THE VAULT: How Pink Floyd Proved Roger Waters Wrong with Two #1 Hits After He Quit
It was one of the biggest breakups in rock history. After creating a catalog of desert island albums, Pink Floyd was torn apart by bitter feuding, behind-the-scenes schemes, and as one band member described it, “borderline megalomania.” Sadly, the inability of its two principal members Roger Waters and David Gilmour to put their differences aside made it impossible to continue. Roger Wate
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