Wind of Change, Enter Sandman, and the Songs That Rocked 1991
Coming up, it was a year of changes in radio and pop culture. A year that many tout as one of the greatest in music history, and rock made a big comeback, with several hard rock legends having their best years ever. Including 2 tracks influenced by the fall of oppressive regimes: Wind of Change by The Scorpions and Right Here Right Now by Jesus Jones. Plus, a groundbreaking hit by PM Dawn that kicked off the sampling revolution and actually might be better than the classic it sampled. Plus Moneytalks from AC/DC, who stopped performing it after an ‘epic fail’ in concert and has now gone 35 years without playing it. And Silent Lucidity, a song that everyone thought was Pink Floyd’s best song in years. Only it wasn’t Pink Floyd. In fact, people even called Radio Stations and requested it as the new Pink Floyd, find out what song, and then there was Enter Sandman, the heaviest rock song to hit the charts, where the band recruited their producer's kid to repeat the Lord’s Prayer. It’s all next on POR.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
--------
37:35
--------
37:35
The Rise and Fall of Creedence Clearwater Revival: The Tragedy Behind “Have You Ever Seen the Rain”
Today’s story is one of the saddest in rock history. Creedence Clearwater Revival was a band that had as much potential as any who ever recorded a song… They were like a powerful Comet of Rock blazing so fast and bright they just as quickly imploded. CCR had an incredible 14 huge hits in a little over 2 years. They were on a Beatles-like trajectory. In fact, they outdid the Beatles in terms of hits before the demise of the Fab Four. They could compete with anyone, with John Fogerty, a lead singer with a raspy voice and a sound that redefined rock. But sibling rivalry, arguments in the band, and the battle for creative control decimated the band. Today’s massive hit Have You Ever Seen the Rain tells their story best. A classic of the rock canon, it also proved prophetic, predicting the collapse of this band, but only John Fogerty knew what it meant, and then some fans caught on… What a waste. Had the band held on, they may have been the biggest rock band in US history. Up next, it’s one of the great what-ifs of rock and roll on POR.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
--------
22:25
--------
22:25
FROM THE VAULT: Interview with Thomas Dolby: Playing Live Aid With David Bowie and Writing for Michael Jackson
On this day in 1985, Live Aid made music history.To mark the anniversary of perhaps the most iconic concert ever staged—simultaneously in London and Philadelphia—we’re revisiting one of Adam’s all-time favorite episodes: an unforgettable interview with Thomas Dolby.Thomas was on stage that day, performing with none other than David Bowie. His firsthand stories bring you right into the heart of Live Aid.Don't miss this one—it's a musical time capsule you’ll want to experience again.FROM THE VAULT: My favorite thing in the world is when I do an interview that Leaves me Speechless. Where it blows my mind like "Did that really just happen?" Well this is one those interviews, from an 80s new wave virtuoso named Thomas Dolby….A true renaissance man who was discovered by legendary producer Mutt Lange when he was busking on the street. He would go onto help revolutionize the future.. he was the secret sauce behind huge 80s records by everyone from Def Leppard to Foreigner. Today he tells us about getting the call to play keyboards with David Bowie at Live Aid and how they rehearsed an exact setlist and then Bowie changed the Opening song seconds before they walked on stage. He got play Heroes in front of 100s of millions of people. We also hear how Michael Jackson invited him to his house right after Thriller and asked him to write him a song This is a can’t miss next on Professor of Rock.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
--------
21:11
--------
21:11
When Rock Songs Go Wrong: The Bizarre True Stories Behind Music’s Darkest Myths
Coming up, it’s an episode that isn’t for the faint of heart. Today, we’re getting spooky as we explore the most cursed songs of the rock era and beyond. There are some really unbelievable stories here. One song, Kashmir, was born deep in the desert, built around an ancient-sounding riff. And it terrified Jimmy Page because he thought he was possessed when he was writing it. There’s also the killer karaoke track My Way that had to be banned because performing it led to a series of homicides. Another song, The Number of the Beast, put an entire recording studio on the fritz… making all the equipment malfunction. And then afterwards, the producer was so unsettled he crashed into a bus full of nuns. For real. You won’t believe how much the damages cost. From floating books and flying silverware to a jinxed song by The Who that foreshadowed the death of two band members… we’ve got a lot to cover. Don’t watch this one with the lights off. It’s the cursed songs countdown… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
--------
25:24
--------
25:24
The Untold Story of Rush’s Biggest Hits: Interviews with Two Rock Legends
Coming up next, its 2 of the 3 principles of one of Rock’s Greatest trios on a few of the greatest songs of the 80s. And some all-time Myths are busted in this episode, include the oft reported story that the drummer hated one of the bands’ biggest hits… It’s a TOTAL LIE. He didn’t hate it, in fact, he says the song had a perfect demo one that the band tried to recreate hundreds of times. But in the end, they just overdubbed the drum part over the original 7 year old demo. Then there’s the hit song that has the most complex baseline of it’s time that would be impossible for a mere mortal to sing and play at the same time, luckily this bands singer was up to the task. Then there’s the song that is the most eloquent, simple singer ever recorded, where one of rock’s greatest lyricists drafted a nonsensical song with made-up words… and then the song that had a word that you couldn’t rhyme with anything.. You’ll have to hear what they finally did. It’s all next on Professor of Rock.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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.
Ireland