Professor of Rock

Coming up, we’re headed back to 1984 for our latest episode of the Hit Song Redux. Except this time there’s a twist. See what I mean next. I gotta say I’m excited to get into this one because I believe 1984 was the greatest year in music history. But get this… only 5 records reached #1 that entire year… that’s how competitive it was. It was insane. Records by MJ, Prince, Springsteen, Huey Lewis, as well as Footloose were the only ones to achieve chart supremacy. So which ones made it onto today’s countdown? And who else got close? As always, we are going to re-rank these Top 10 contenders based on the impact they’ve had on the world since. Which one will be #1 40 years later? Well, there’s some real rock legends in this one… Will it be the Mighty Rush… Van Halen, or a one-hit wonder??? Get ready for an epic Top 10 Countdown… NEXT on the 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.

Sylvester Stallone called the Rookie Band Survivor up and hired them to write the lead song for Rocky 3. Survivor responded with Eye of the Tiger and is was a smash on rock radio in 1982 when it hit #1 for 6 weeks. Then lead singer Dave Bickler went down with throat issues and the band thought they might be finished. After a FAILED album, in stepped Jimi Jamison who nailed the audition and became the new singer for Survivor and is the rare case where the replacement singer was better than thejai original. They had several hits in 1985 with VITAL SIGNS including the hits High On You and the Search Is Over. Sly Stallone came calling again in 1985 when he need a lead song or his film Rocky IV. Survivor responded with Burning Heart that became another massive hit. Former songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jim Peterik tells the story of creating. Burning Heart with Frankie Sullivan and how Sly Stallone had them change the lyrics and how it might’ve stopped the Cold War. Jim also explains that he was worried that the burning heart would make people think of acid reflux. The interview is 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.

Coming up, the story of Mony Mony, a song that was a major hit twice for two different iconic artists: Tommy James and Billy Idol. It was a smash in the late 60s and the late 80s and the iconic title came when the band had the song finished but couldn’t figure out a singable chorus with a filler word. Then they looked out the window and saw the iconic words flashing on a building. Years later Mony Mony was banned from being played at High School dances across America because of an alleged obscene recitation of the lyrics by teenagers. Up next, an interview with Tommy James and Steve Stevens, the iconic guitarist who played the #1 remake 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.

David Bowie was the foremost musical chameleon, changing his style and persona numerous times and was always ahead of the times. But in the 80s, did he finally succumb to the fad of the times? Many called his catchy 1983 #1 smash Let's Dance a sellout… but no matter, there’s no doubt this single marked a major turning point in Bowie’s career putting his face all over the new medium of music videos on MTV. But the biggest aspect of Let's Dance might be that he discovered a guitar legend in the process… even if this icon spent years distancing himself from his biggest hit. The story is 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.

This would NEVER happen today. How about this for a cool rock story? So The Rascals coming off a big #1, wrote Groovin', what they thought was another hit. But one of the most famous record men in history, Jerry Wexler, didn’t like it. So he discouraged Atlantic Records from releasing it. Well, the famous DJ Murray the K was STUNNED because he knew Groovin' was a #1. So he cornered the iconic label head and said 'Are you crazy? This is a friggin' #1 record.' And he was right… Get the story from the singer Felix Cavaliere and co-writer Eddie Brigati 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.

Coming up… the story behind the signature song Locomotive Breath by Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, a figure who was disenchanted by the rock n’ roll stars of the 50s. Even Elvis repelled him… In an effort to forge his own path, and be like no other performer, Ian learned to play an instrument not normally associated with rock music as his hallmark for distinction and played it on stage in a style that no one could emulate. But it later cost Ian dearly, when he had major health problems because of the stance he took playing this instrument… Truly One of the most interesting icons of the rock era… Anderson started out scrubbing urinals and toilets and later was drenched in urine when he played a live show and a commercial aircraft dumped waste from up in the sky. We also break down his prog rock classic Locomotive Breath spawned from a fear of the future world. It was the lead single from an album with a cover image that… scared the living hell out of me. It’s all coming up 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.

Today, we’re on a two-song collision course with two irresistible, big-time #1 hits by Chic that ruled radio for years. The first song Le Freak was inspired by a New Year’s Eve outing gone horribly wrong. Standing in the freezing cold outside an iconic nightclub, Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards were humiliated as they were barred from entering… while their music was blasting inside. So they got revenge by writing Le Freak, a fiery track that had the F-BOMB in the title and the chorus… This was in the 70s so of course it would never make it to radio… so they had to come up with a different word to replace the F-bomb. The second song, Good Times took its inspiration from a very unlikely source and is the most ripped-off bass line ever. In fact, after one band swiped a piece of their song, these guys were accused of being copy-cats even though it originated with them! Get ready, because we’ve got two crazy stories for you. NEXT on the 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.

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Coming up next, we're covering Duran Duran, the band that epitomized the 80s. In fact, you couldn’t really call the 80s the 80s without these guys, the identity of the 80s is wrapped up in this band. Duran Duran made a revolutionary music video for Hungry Like the Wolf that was initially rejected by American audiences. But the timing was perfect because MTV was a fledgling channel and when the two came together it was a match made in heaven… Even now the question has to be asked, did Duran Duran make MTV or did MTV make Duran Duran? Hungry Like the Wolf was a modern-day take on Little Red Riding Hood, mixed with one of the band members’ girlfriend’s iconic laugh. This song really didn’t gel until it was remixed with a rock edge. Find out the story of a classic 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.

Coming up next … Over the last few years I’ve shared hundreds of interviews… And in celebration of hitting 1 million subs, today, I’m sharing my favorite interview of all time. One that I personally watch every month, you’ll find out why next… It’s my most personal episode of Professor of Rock and it's coming 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.

Before REO Speedwagon became a household name, they had two big songs that changed everything for them: Roll With the Changes and Time for Me to Fly. As you‘ll see in the upcoming interview with lead singer Kevin Cronin, their breakthrough hit came while he was driving his Ford Pinto from his home in the Midwest to LA to make it in the music industry… As he was driving he had a paper bag full of snacks and this song came to him on the freeway so he hurried and wrote it down on this paper bag… It became a signature song for REO Speedwagon but then when he met one of his heroes years later, he made a comment that he may have ripped his previous hit off… Let’s see what Kevin says about it. 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.

From studio gopher to global superstar, Jon Bon Jovi spent years chasing his big break. Working the club circuit as an underage teenager, Jon was shocked one night when his musical idol Bruce Springsteen jumped on stage and started duetting with him! Actually, he was singing The Boss's song at the time. Pretty cool. Later when Bon Jovi finally got a demo for his song Runaway recorded, he was rejected by every record label in the biz. And he thought that maybe it was time to call it quits. But in a last-ditch effort, he decided to sneak into a New York radio station and pitch Runaway straight to the DJ… The DJ ended up playing it and virtually overnight the song was a hit and set this singer up for a record label and a major tour… the only problem was Jon didn’t even have a band! Up next, the story of Jon Bon Jovi’s tenacity, and how he formed a band after Runaway hit it big and transformed a would-be pop idol into a hard rock icon NEXT on the 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.

Coming up…. the story of Fox on the Run by 70s British supergroup Sweet. This band had relied heavily on a famous production team to write all of their big hits, but Sweet was sick of singing only the songs they wrote. So the band decided to show what they could do. They had written a good song but no one thought the song had potential to be a single, except for this one executive at the band’s record label. Only thing is this executive wasn’t getting ANY cooperation from management to retool the track, so when the management and production team was out of town, the guys secretly went into the studio and produced the new version themselves. Sweet proved everyone wrong as Fox on the Run became one of their biggest hits. We retrace the steps of this covert operation that led to a huge international hit, and the beginning of a new era for an immensely influential Glam Rock quartet…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.

Coming up… We take the time machine back to the golden days of glam rock n’ roll... and the psychic artist who created the genre…. Marc Bolan of T Rex was one of a kind. When he was 8 years old, he foretold that he was going to be a rock star, He broke through in the US with the classic song Bang A Gong (Get it On). Between 1970 & 74, he became the biggest rock star in the UK. He also predicted he would die before he was 30, and died in a car accident 2 weeks before his 30th birthday. The story of his biggest international hit, and a lot more is 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.

In 1981 at the forefront of the MTV Revolution, a straight-ahead rocking bar band called Tommy Tutone released a song that would become an all-time touchstone of pop culture... 867-5309/Jenny. And it came to the songwriter from a message scrawled on a bathroom stall. After being sung just one time, 867-5309/Jenny it became the most famous digits ever sung in a pop song. Up next 2 members from the one-hit wonder group the singer and the guitarist tell the story. 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.

Coming up, an interview with Norman Greenbaum. He is a rockstar that I’ve been trying to track down for almost 8 years to get the story of what I believe is the greatest one-hit wonder in the history of music... Spirit in the Sky. But I couldn’t find him. I had heard rumors that he had just disappeared and couldn’t be found. Then fate stepped in and I met him at a concert. To celebrate a million subscribers this is one of a few special episodes we’re doing. Norman started as a goat Farmer and then he developed a guitar effect on today’s classic hit that no one in the world has ever been able to repeat, not even him. A special interview is coming up 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.

Up next, Tony Hadley, the former lead singer of Spandau Ballet, one the 80s leading new romantic bands, tells the story of one of the best songs of 1983: "True". It's a song that has become a bonafide standard… Tony admits that he has sung True at weddings, but when does he has to get really drunk… haha. He admits it’s a very difficult song to sing and he was scared about hitting the notes night after night. Well, it’s been decades and Tony can still nail it. And though he’s sung it over a thousand times, he never gets tired of it. But Tony does get embarrassed when fans tell him the things they do to this song. It’s a fabulous interview coming up and one where Tony is taken aback when I tell him that a famous boy ripped off the melody… Tony had no idea until this interview. The story is 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.

Coming up next, an interview with legend Otis Williams, who is the only one surviving the Temptations, one of the most successful groups ever. He tells us the story of their biggest hit, My Girl, a song that could be the most recognizable song of the 20th century. Let’s see if you agree. So the legend who wrote this classic, Smokey Robinson, knew it would be massive, but in the end, instead of keeping it for his own group, he gave it to his rivals the Temptations, and even produced it for them. With the signature opening bass line of its time, up next it’s the story of a song that was so classic, one time the Temptations were tired of it and decided not to play it in concert, and the audience came unglued…. 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.

Coming up, Lou Gramm was riding high in the 70s as his band Black Sheep had just opened for one of the biggest bands in the world. And after years of hard work and ultra tenacity they were finally going to break out. But then his world came crashing down when a car wreck destroyed all of their instruments and equipment, and their label wouldn’t front them the money to get new stuff. So they had to cancel their remaining dates. Lou Gramm was horrified, he thought his career was over but then he got a phone call from Mick Jones that changed his life. Asking him to be the lead singer of his new band Foreigner… Up next, how their composition, Feels Like the First Time became the opening shot for Foreigner, on its way to becoming a classic rock standard…giving them the chance to become one of the biggest bands ever. And many think it’s a sex song but it actually means something totally different… 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.

After losing his bandmate in a tragic car crash, rookie Steve Perry was ready to throw it all away. His music career, as far as he was concerned… it was over. He had come so close to that big break too many times. And it always fell apart. It was a mic drop in the worst way possible. But then, if you can believe it, him mom talked him out of quitting. She promised him something good would happen. And she was right. Not long after, he was recruited by Journey’s manager Herbie Herbert to be their frontman. Only, there was a catch. They already had a lead singer. So going undercover as part of this band’s road crew, Steve Perry laid low until Herbert could fire the other singer. And when Steve finally his chance, he didn’t disappoint. Six, multi-platinum albums later, Steve Perry is recognized as one of the greatest rock voices of all time… And today we’re telling the story of his first song with Journey... Lights, including an interview with the great guitarist Neal Schon, who he wrote it with. NEXT on the 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.

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Coming up, an interview with Paul Roberts of Sniff 'n' the Tears about one of my favorite songs of 1979, Driver’s Seat. Technically the band is a one-hit wonder and what a story behind this one… First of all, Driver’s Seat sat on the shelf for years… because the label was changing distributors.. and then a worker’s strike at the record plant might’ve kept it from being a #1 hit because the factory couldn’t print the record so fans couldn’t buy it. And then when it did become a hit the band immediately broke up… but then a decade later the song finally hit #1 when it was used in an insurance commercial. The long and winding story of the classic Driver’s Seat is 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.

Coming up….the story of an enchanted land, where joy fills the air, and troubles fade away in the rain… A place where everyone is happy and kind, and the light of the human spirit shines brightly for all to share. The song title, Shambala, is over 5000 years old and it was recorded at the same time by two different artists who released them at the same time, Three Dog Night and BW Stevenson… see who won the battle on the charts. With an exceptional vocal by Cory Wells with incredible backups by Chuck Negron and Danny Hutton...Let’s travel together on the road to this mythical paradise that inspired a timeless ‘feel good’ classic that is illegal not to sing along to! …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.

A hopeless romantic named Bruce Blackman asked a beautiful young woman on a date several times and was rejected. Finally, on the third request, she said yes… The date went pretty well and Bruce turned the experience into one of the most famous one-hit wonders of the 70s, a song called Moonlight Feels Right by his band Starbuck. But the story behind it is just as good. Up next Bruce Blackman tells us how actor Gene Hackman, an epic Marimba solo, and an accidental laugh in the chorus came to epitomize this classic…. And how Bruce had to rush to get the song recorded as Lynyrd Skynyrd was kicking him out of the studio... And how the song led to a marriage proposal, and if she said yes… 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.

From 1989 to 1990 Rock on Mainstream radio was dying… Boy Bands and sugary pop was taking over… History says that Nirvana came in and saved it… But the truth is that Chris Robinson, who I am interviewing next, and his band The Black Crowes revitalized rock a full 2 years before Nirvana or Pearl Jam. They did it with a B-Side Cover song from the 60s… Hard to Handle was originally sung by Otis Redding. The Crowes hardened it up and the song and their album Shake Your Money Maker reignited rock and roll…AND BLEW AWAY THE WANNABEES setting the stage for grunge ... THE STORY IS 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.

Today, we’re returning to a new show on this channel… One that has us diving deep into the catalogs of the greatest bands of all time, and telling their stories via five essential tracks. But this time around we’ve got a twist for you. Instead of just following the band, we’re following the careers of two iconic musicians, Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman, who epitomized the band The Guess Who… including how they came up with the smash hit American Woman on the spot while playing a show. And how Randy’s BTO throwaway track You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet was written just to tease his brother, but then became one of the greatest “singalongs” of all time. Most importantly we’ll get into how the Guess Who’s name was taken from the Cummings and Bachman… and tell you how Burton is taking the so-called nuclear option to snuff out them out… 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.

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One of rock’s definitive frontmen, Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra, was the victim of a serial cheater. Jeff was smitten by this seductress but she made his life a living hell in her path of destruction. So naturally he got even by writing a song about it... He called it Evil Woman. Only he felt it was just filler… after all, he’d written in just a few minutes. In fact Jeff would say Evil Woman was the fastest song he ever wrote and part of the music was from a song he’d written earlier called Nightider that he played backwards. In the end Evil Woman became ELO’s first major hit and one of his favorites. The story is 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.

Coming up….the story of one of the first power ballads: Love Hurts. This one originated during a stormy time for The Everly Brothers, one the most prolific sibling acts in recorded music history. GET THIS... Love Hurts was covered DOZENS OF times by some huge artists but It was NEVER a hit until the Scottish rookie band Nazareth recorded the definitive version. And even then, it struggled to find an audience before blowing up around the globe. We’re going to talk about how this Love Hurts finally got its due, and…and how Nazareth with the spectacular lead vocals of Dan McCafferty was erroneously pronounced DEAD after one of the most notorious plane crashes of the Rock Era. But in the end… it was fake news….the story of this 70s hard rock classic is 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.

Coming up, Cutting Crew ruled 1987 with 3 big hits from their album Broadcast… (I Just) Died in You Arms, I’ve Been in Love Before, and One For the Mockingbird. And then by the next year, they were gone… Never to be heard from again. It’s quite perplexing because they had everything going for them to last a decade or more, the looks, the songs, the style... Up next lead singer Nick Van Eede tells the story of a wondrous period when Cutting Crew topped the charts with a platinum album, a #1 single, and 2 other big hits that put them in the running… Find out what happened to them 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.

Coming up… an interview with Howard and David Bellamy, aka the Bellamy Brothers… They’re a band that had 10 #1 hits and a top 10 hit in three straight decades on one chart and had one of the biggest #1 hits of the 70s on the pop charts with a song that Neil Diamond’s roadie wrote… “Let Your Love Flow.” Neil didn’t do the song and then it was passed over by others until the Bellamys stepped in and made it a standard. And then they followed it up with another huge hit: “If I Said You Have a Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me.” That one’s essentially a dad joke, but because of its title, everyone still remembers it. Coming up 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.

Coming up, an interview with one of the greatest guitarists of the rock era, Mike Campbell, from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, a band that ruled the landscape for over 4 decades. Mike tells the story of Full Moon Fever, an album that he helped write and produce with 2 other legends that they were sure would be a smash… Unfortunately, their label had no such belief. In fact, the album was flat-out rejected. But that didn’t stop another major record label from signing a secret contract with Tom Petty. And it turns out the label was dead wrong as Full Moon Fever became Petty’s biggest seller ever and churned out 3 #1 hits, including today’s feature Running Down a Dream. But this was during the time when Compact Discs were replacing records and tapes so the singer. Ever a traditionalist, Tom left a little message for the CD buyers. Also, the amazing solo fell out in one take... A great interview is coming up 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.

Coming up, it’s a group that I swore I’d never feature on this channel. ABBA is one of the biggest bands of all time, with nearly 40 Top 10 hits across the world. After taking the 70s by storm, they broke up in the 80s. But by the 90s there was this pop culture campaign that put them right back in the spotlight. And today ABBA is stronger than ever. Honestly, I don’t know why but I’ve never liked their music. Call me crazy. But for today’s episode, I’m conducting an experiment… I’m doing a deep dive into ABBA’s career (along with one of their biggest hits Take A Chance On Me) to see if maybe I’ve been wrong all these years. But that’s a big “if.” ... Still, if any song has a chance to flip the script, Take A Chance On Me could be it. I gotta admit, this track is so catchy it just might be a gateway into the rest of their catalog. So, will I or won’t I change my mind? There’s only one way to find out. The experiment kicks off… NEXT on the 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.

Coming up next, the story of a song that was written 4 times! Al Stewart and his 70s chart classic Year of the Cat - that ranked from late 1976 into 1977… and was produced by legend Alan Parsons who engineered Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon was a bit of a question mark for a while. With this 70s classic Al showed a very different side of his music. He wrote 4 different sets of lyrics for the song, that’s how badly he wanted to get it right! He put this 70s classic together like a 5000-piece puzzle. Up next We try to piece it together to figure out what Year of the Cat actually means, with interviews with singer/songwriter Al Stewart and iconic producer Alan Parsons. 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.

Coming up, it’s a duo from Lincoln, Nebraska - Zager & Evans - who spellbound 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… 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.

Coming up… an interview with hard rock singer Mark Slaughter on his band, Slaughter's biggest hit: Fly to the Angels. It’s one of the most gut-wrenching songs of its time that came from very tragic circumstances. Mark had come off tour and called up his friend to get his old girlfriend’s number. He was looking forward to seeing here after being out on the road. His friend called the next day, but instead of giving him her this girl's number, he conveyed the sad news that she had just passed away. Fly to the Angels came to Mark when he attended her funeral. Up next, it's a powerful story from Mark Slaughter on a song that became a classic 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.

Coming up, legendary band Depeche Mode created one of the greatest records from one of music’s greatest years… 1987. The name of the record was of course Music for the Masses, and it was meant as a big joke. A joke that the band laughed about until it actually came true. This shy and introverted foursome went from playing in front of 3 people to selling out stadiums and they never compromised their art to do it. The story of the song Never Let Me Down Again and the record that took ‘em to the masses is 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.

Let me be clear, I have never met anyone who doesn’t love his voice...Get ready to discover the humble origins of Dan Fogelberg, a beloved artist who penned some of the most heartfelt songs ever recorded. Surprisingly, Dan’s journey began in the most unexpected of places: a frat house filled with drunken college kids. Like a scene out of Animal House! The story of how this intensely talented musician caught the attention of a future industry titan Irving Azoff, paving the way for a remarkable career that included ‘Longer’, one of the most popular love songs of the Rock Era. The song went to #1 on the AC charts and #2 on the pop charts just behind Queen and Pink Floyd. Up next we celebrate the 70s and 80s icon through interviews with the song’s producer Norbert Putnam and horn player Jerry Hay is 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.

They’re Canada’s gift to the world! Even better than maple syrup, ice hockey, and Tim Horton’s… It’s Rush! This thinking man’s band has created some of the most intelligent rock this world has ever heard. And we’re all smarter for it. On today’s episode, we're taking a closer look at their album Permanent Waves and its key track Freewill. Both would defy all trends and expectations. Even though Rush’s rock contemporaries were embracing radio-friendly sounds and even kowtowing to the disco movement, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neal Peart remained true to their sound and the record proved to be a critical turning point… one that ushered in a new decade of innovation and even commercial accessibility, with one of the most ambitious songs the band ever tackled. The lyrics confused some listeners when they heard Geddy Lee singing the wrong ones. Turns out the factory misprinted them. Find out NEXT on the 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.

The insanely great story of the 70s #1 classic hit Hooked on a Feeling. It was done twice by Jonathan King and B.J. Thomas before Blue Swede took it to #1 in 1974 by combining elements of the first two versions in an original way. The tribal chant executed by Blue Swede perfectly turned this song into a one-listen classic. The song was then revitalized years later in Ally McBeal due to a dancing baby and then went global again after it was used to great effect in the superhero movie Guardian of the Galaxy, helping the soundtrack sell 1 million copies 40 years after it hit #1. The story of a classic song that has impacted every generation including an interview with BJ Thomas. 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.

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 Jones thought it was just a little too pop and wasn’t sure if it belonged on the album. But when his bandmates said they loved it, he came around. It was a good choice because Cold as Ice is an undeniable classic rock standard… Tag-teaming with me for today’s tale, we’ve got not one, but two founding musicians from this legendary band Lou Gramm and Mick Jones. And they’re both ready to give you a behind-the-scenes look at this frosty track… NEXT on the 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.

Coming up... Pearl Jam came out of nowhere to sell almost 16 million albums in 1992, of their classic TEN but at the peak of their fame, they completely sabotaged their greatest song: Black. After their album Ten blew up, they hadn’t even released the best song from the record… With most everyone agrees is Black, Because of this the label was psyched knowing Black would push Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam further up the charts. But the band wanted nothing to do with this song being a hit. In fact, they did everything in their power to prevent it. Problem is it didn’t work. Find out the crazy story 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.

Coming up legendary singer Martha Reeves of Martha and the Vandellas tells us the definitive story of one of the most famous and beloved songs of all time: Dancing in the Street. First of all, Martha worked as a secretary for the label and one of her duties was singing the words to new songs on tapes that would be dispersed to recording artists so they could learn the words… This led to her getting a shot at singing backup and one day one of the most famous singers ever gave her the chance to record his new song that everyone knew would be a hit. When Martha recorded it, her first take was perfect, everyone was cheering and excited knowing that was the record. Only problem is the engineer forgot to turn on the tape… Martha was pretty pissed which led to the next take having some relish on it that made it even better. Up next the legendary Martha tells us the rest of the story and how the song became a true standard 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.

Coming up… it’s the Crash Test Dummies hit song Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm. It’s a #1 song that was written about three different kids intertwined by an unfortunate common thread of isolation and suffering. “Mmmm” for short, was inspired by true life events, which made the song more personal and intriguing. The lead vocals were also weirdly authentic- delivered in an unconventional style by Baritone extraordinaire Brad Roberts and his unique timbre made listeners bristle with astonishment. Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm definitely has one of the strangest choruses in history. Today was take an in depth exploration into one of the most mysterious songs of the Rock Era, is 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.

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 of Phil Collin’s 1985 blockbuster album No Jacket Required, it also stirred up controversy. Critics noticed that its central riff was nearly a carbon copy of another huge hit from a few years earlier. 1999 by Prince. And not long after, Phil Collins confessed it was a rip-off job. But the question was “to what degree?” The parallels were unmistakable. But were they enough to nail Phil Collins for plagiarism? Find out… NEXT on the 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.

Coming up... the story of AC/DC’s TNT, the track that established the identity of one of the GREATEST BANDS EVER. THIS SONG WAS DESIGNED TO KICK YOUR BUTT… It took AC/DC to the stadiums and made ‘em the kings of hard rock. But not before lead singer Bon Scott had to change some of the risqué lyrics to get it played… but at the time it didn’t matter TNT didn’t chart then.. but decades later it has over a billions streams. TNT is driven by a SOUND Effect that came from Bon Scott that was a happy accident… It was his reaction to the power going out, where he screamed oy! and the band turned it into a chant...With a devastating dual guitar attack between brothers Angus and Malcolm young and Bon’s voice that sounds like the engine of a Ferrari Get ready to “Run for your life... cause the man is back in town… 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.

Coming up….The saga of 4 guys from the heartland of America…Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen, Bun. E. Carlos and Rick Peterson who slugged it out on the road together, playing gigs all over the country. Cheap Trick was one of the hardest-working bands in the music industry, but after years of touring, they had hardly anything to show for it. They were hitless, a million dollars in debt, and on the verge of disintegration. But then a weird and wonderful thing happened…. they traveled to another continent to play some shows and found out that in one huge country, they were as big as The Beatles!! It changed everything vitally overnight… The story of their unconventional international breakout I Want You to Want Me and their album Cheap Trick Live at Budokan is 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.

Coming up… the story of ZZ Top’s 1973 classic La Grange from their third studio Tres Hombres. This song is about a legendary shack that operated illegally for over 60 years. It was a rite of passage for many in the town and frequented by famous dignitaries, who had a secret pact with the law to live and let live. Everything was rolling along smoothly, until ZZ Top wrote La Grange as a tribute to the house of Ill repute, and a geeky TV reporter, with a really bad toupee, decided he wanted to attack organized crime and had his sights on taking down the infamous Chicken Ranch. The powers that be were forced to close the ranch, once and for all, but ZZ Top’s Boogie Rock hit lives on. The legend continues…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.

Coming up the story of one of the greatest #1 hit singalongs of the late 80s, Every Rose Has It’s Thorn… From Poison’s hard rock frontman Bret Michaels who was absolutely devastated.… It wasn’t the Greek tragedy that the singer made it out to be, but the revelation of a cheating girlfriend left this struggling rock icon reeling with hurt & betrayal. Michaels drowned his sorrow at the laundromat at 3 AM with his acoustic guitar and out fell this perfect 80s power ballad… Even though the label warned the band not to release it because it would kill their budding career, they proved the label wrong once again… Next, the story behind a proverb that became the heartbreak anthem of its time 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.

Here’s a question. If you found out one of your favorite bands intentionally tried to sell out, would you like them less? Or would it even matter? Well, today’s band Journey was accused of selling out by an ex-band member, who said they cared more about the money than the music. After just one commercial album he quit. And I’m sure he’d have hated the next album Evolution even more since it featured the undeniable mainstream breakout single: Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’. One of the most gut-wrenching songs of its day… this track is all about how this lead singer Steve Perry’s girl cheated on him right in front of his face. And it became so popular that it served as the catalyst for a decades-long career of worldwide superstardom… Sell-outs or savvy rockers. Either way, I don’t think you could love Journey’s music any less. Steve Perry and Neal Schon! The story is coming up… NEXT on the 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.