Professor of Rock

Today, we’re dropping the needle on a track that a revolutionary artist wrote as a favor for his bandmate’s side project. When Prince and the Revolution bassist Brown Mark asked Prince to write him a song for his side project Mazarati Prince picked up his acoustic guitar and whipped up the song “KISS” in a few minutes. He didn’t think anything of it. But when Prince checked on the song’s progress a day later, he realized it was vastly improved… He knew it was a hit and it was too good for this band... he wanted it back. So he locked himself in the studio for four hours and wrote the funkiest #1 hit of 1986. Then promising to give his bandmate Brown Mark a co-writing credit, he tacked it on his album Parade… sending it to the top of the Billboard charts. The only thing is, he never shared the writing credits. It’s the story of how a stolen song became one of the biggest hits of this Prince's career, and how was really the catalyst behind the break up of one of the biggest bands of the 80s… 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 band who taught us how to rock KISS…like many band before them, hated their biggest hit. The ballad “Beth" was allegedly written by drummer Peter Criss. Though Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons don’t believe he actually composed it. The band loathed Beth. They hated it so much they didn’t even show up to record it, so half the band didn’t even play on it, including Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. Then they tried to keep it off their album. Ace Frehley was to busy playing poker to care. They buried it on a b-side until a random DJ turned the record around and made Kiss’ biggest hit. The saga behind the People’s Choice for “Favorite Song” in 1977... 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, an interview with a legendary singer-songwriter who’s had various hits but the biggest Hit he wrote…was sung by another artist, and then the biggest hit he sang...he didn’t write! both were nominated for Oscars…Stephen Bishop had a #1 hit in 1985 with the Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin duet Separate Lives from the film White Nights… He didn’t sing it. but he did sing the 1983 #1 Hit It Might Be You from the Movie Tootsie. But he didn’t write that one. Separate Lives came from a horrible breakup with a Hollywood leading lady. Karen Allen who played Marion Ravenwood in Raiders of the Lost Ark. It’s one of the most gut-wrenching #1 hits of the 80s and he just so happened to luck out when the biggest star of the moment sang it. Phil Collins. A great interview with Stephen Bishop you won’t want to miss and the story of Marilyn Martin’s promising career. She would later leave music to become a real estate agent. The story is 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.

He was a small-time criminal… he was also a mailman… Then he was a chauffeur…He drove bands to and from shows. His name was Bon Scott… He went from being one of AC/DC’s driver to their lead singer literally overnight! He jumped on stage one night when AC/DC was playing instrumentals and started singing. Angus Young and his brother Malcolm Young were floored. This guy had chops… They turned their story… their rise to the top of the charts into a song… It’s a Long Way to the Top if You Want To Rock and Roll. the song became so synonymous with Bon Scott that the band stopped performing it when he passed away…Brian Johnson refused to sing it out of respect…the song’s signature sound came from a strange instrument… Bagpipes... The story is 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.

Coming up, This group was on a tear to start the decade. Wham! starring legend George Michael and his pal Andrew Ridgely were on top of the world. but George in particular was obsessed with dominating the charts. His goal in 1984 was to score four #1 singles. And you know what, by November he and his partner had three… With time running out, he pulled out a surefire hit he wrote in the middle of watching a football game on TV. He was certain it would hit #1… and it was a holiday song called Last Christmas... However, in December he was invited to sing on a massive charity single. Band-Aid Do They Know It’s Christmas ...when he heard it, he knew it was sure to go #1. Wrestling with guilt, he secretly hoped his song would outperform this charity track. It’s the story of one of the most popular songs of the 80s with almost 3 billion streams yet the song was only a promotional single in the US. Find our if it ever got to #1 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.

This 1982 rock classic is played every Friday when the weekend starts since it became a hit. Mike Reno, Lead Singer of canadian stadium rockers Loverboy tells the story of their signature song "Working for the Weekend! in an exclusive interview.. When he was recording he sang the wrong lyrics and the mistake made it a classic hit. 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.

It was the final single in the storied career of one of the most hard-hitting, epic rock bands ever assembled. Fool in the Rain by Led Zeppelin. For a decade Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Bonham, and John Paul Jones turned the world upside-down and inside out with their cutting-edge, all-out rock compositions… But they also did it with tracks that undercut audience expectations. And that is exactly what this song did. It came from their final proper studio album… In Through the Out Door… Fool in the Rain sounded like nothing else in the band’s catalog, and was so far out in left field, that honestly it was a gamble to release it. But the band felt like it would be their biggest hit. So would this unconventional song completely backfire and kill their momentum? Or would it be a huge hit…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.

It may just be the greatest cover song of all time..If not, it deserves that distinction for the 80s. Tainted Love by Soft Cell. Marc Almond's hypnotic and sinister vocal and Dave Ball's synth pop magic made Gloria Jones original into an 80s smash hit... and combined it with the Supreme's #Staying1 hit Where Did Our Love go! on the billboard hot 100 for 43 weeks in a row. A record that stood for decades. Soft Cell and Tainted Love was part of the 2nd British invasion that blew up radio in the early 80s with New Wave and post punk bands clamoring for the charts. Tainted Love has become one of the quint essential song of the neon decade. Up next the story of Professor of Rock and how I got my butt kicked for playing it as a teenager. With Exclusive interviews. 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, a song that contains arguably the most iconic line in the history of the rock era… Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio A Nation Turns its Lonely Eyes to You… So poetic, so perfect. A tribute from the greatest: Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel… or Simon and Garfunkel from the Graduate film. Only problem is. This sports legend felt slighted by the lyrics. He was pissed! He totally misunderstood the context. Mrs. Robinson actually started out as Mrs Roosevelt… as a tribute to the first lady. it was going to be a lead song for The Graduate but then Paul Simon actually rejected the offer…would the movie execs be able to talk them into it? It was originally about Mickey Mantle but Simon had to change it because Mantle did’t have enough syllables to work for the song. Oh ya… Also When the song became famous the Yankee Clipper threatened to sue Simon and Garfunkel thinking they were making fun of him but years later Paul Simon was able to explain it to him… Worried that the soundtrack album would come out at the same time as the duo's next album it was a battle of marketing that would make them the first group since the Beatles to replace themselves at #1. 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.

Dennis DeYoung formerly of STYX tells the story of his only solo hit. Deseret Moon. Styx pretty much broke up after Kilroy Was Here and their massive but polarizing hit Mr. Roboto. And actually Desert Moon was as good as anything he did with STYX! It's captivating lyrics and beautiful melody make it one of the 80s greatest hidden gems. Tommy Shaw was the first one to put out a solo hit with Girls with Guns... It did moderately well but Desert Moon was a top 10 hit and even though it was supposed to be used for the soundtrack of the movie DUNE. it was much better as a solo song and showed Deyoung's gift for a perfect 80s ballad. Dennis tells the story of this wonderful song 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 going behind the Top 10 rock songs from this very same week in the year 1982… Can you imagine, a top 10 billboard chart filled with all rock songs? In the past we’ve done redux episodes, covering the most popular songs on the Billboard Hot 100, but today we’re putting a new twist on an old favorite. Going 100% rock. Then after counting them down, we rerank each song according to how many times they’ve been streamed and find out which one deserves to be #1. But which classic rock titan will be the winner? Will it be Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Mighty Rush with Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart, or maybe one of the Eagles flying solo Don Henley or Glenn Frey? Start making your guesses in the comments and tell us who you think will take home the crown. I guarantee this is going to be a good one. And it’s all 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.

The Compelling story of the Pet Shop Boys masterful 1986 #1 hit, West End Girls. A synth-pop miracle that put this duo on the map and started a career that so far has produced 44 top 40 hits in the UK. West End Girl was released in 1984 but it failed visually everywhere except in Belgium, where it hit #1. Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe knew they had a hit but couldn’t get the sound right. This was after Neil had quit his job as an editor and music critic for Smash Hits. His co-workers ridiculed him for leaving, but he had the last laugh when they got New Order producer Stephen Hague to redo the song and it became a global smash. The story of West End Girls is 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.

Coming up an interview with 38 Special singer Don Barnes who’s band started out as with a southern rock sound but by the early 80s they were a straight ahead arena rock band with several huge songs including today’s 1982 #1 rock hit: Caught up in You... It was a co write between Don Barnes, Guitarist Jeff Carlisi and a rival band’s main songwriter. Jim Peterik of Survivor. In fact when Survivor’s guitar player heard Jim was writing for another band he was livid. In the end, the this angry guitar player was given a songwriting credit to avoid a lawsuit… by the end of the 38 Special snagged their biggest hit…only it was with a completely different singer, a one album replacement…Max Carl… the song was second chance… Up next, the story of Caught Up in You and Hold on Loosely... find out what happened 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 a saga of two musicians that fell in love, and put a band together, but the band broke up, and so did their romantic relationship. Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart formed then formed Eurythmics… They were Thousands of miles from home and broken up but the couple decided to stay united, professionally, and continue to make music together. The future looked bleak, the darkest point was a day when the couple had a huge fight and Annie Lennox was convinced her career as an artist had come to an end. Suddenly, Dave Stewart began playing a riff so riveting, so powerful, it shook Annie Lennox right out of her state of depression, and she began blurting out her deepest, darkest feelings, like a patient opening up to a psychiatrist. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) was born...They knew they had something great..but when they showed it to Music execs they said there’s no chorus no hook…This musical response to the suits would prove to be prophetic…The whole song is a hook… he was right when Sweet Dreams became a 1983 #1 smash. The story of a song that made them international superstars 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.

It's known as one of the 80s most Iconic one hit wonders. It leads the pack of most infamous one hit wonders of all time! Only problem is "I Want Candy" by Bow Wow Wow wasn't actually a hit. It barely made the top 50. But it's such a huge part of our culture it will go down as one of the biggest non hits ever. In my interview with former Bow Wow Wow singer Annabelle Lwin tells the story of recording this classic and how the band had overcome censorship to get their music out. Malcolm McLaren was the who put the band together. and when they released an early singer with a scantily clad Annabelle on the front. it caused outrage. Also most people don't realize that I Want Candy was a remake of one old 60s tune. Annabelle tells the entertaining 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.

How I learned to love a song I once hated… Journey and their #1 power ballad Open Arms…But I’m not the only one. Neal Schon the guitarist of Journey also loathed it and refused to play it live for some time. Written by Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain… Well first of all, et me ask you...Have you ever disliked a song so much, that for most of your life, you just couldn’t stand to listen to it? I’m talking about one of those tracks you always skipped on the album or that had you reaching for the dial when it came on the radio. Sure you have. We’ve all got songs like that. But let me ask you this. Have you ever had a song that you hated, that you later learned to love after hearing it in a different context? Well, today, we’re covering Open Arms by Journey… From their 1981 classic album Escape… I hated it for decades until I was caught off guard and heard it with new ears. And now I love it…Find out what changed my mind and how it became Journey’s biggest song ever even though it was rejected by Jonathan Cain’s 1st band… with interviews with the band members 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. A song that came from a rock frontman’s desire to spit in the face of the "put a flower in your hair hippie persona" of the 60s. I’m talking about Ozzy Osbourne from Black Sabbath...He called the movement crap and he and his band with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward only wanted to muck up the mainstream… So they wrote a haunting metal classic called Iron Man… At first, it was called Iron Bloke... This song did a perfect job of ripping up the mainstream. The goal with rock masterpiece…at least for Black Sabbath was to create a song that would scare the hell out of people. and they pulled it off in spades… With a classic vocal that was sung through a Household item… A metal fan…we get the straight scoop behind the scariest song of 1971… one that still haunts us 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.

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 that flipped him out, Because the Night by Patti Smith and it triggered a series of events that led to arguably his best work. Making Movies An album that was so meticulous and exact that the title track of the record was cut from the album at the last second. It was a rough process to touch greatness, it even caused a bitter falling out with his brother and band mate… The 2 haven’t spoken in over 40 years. The story of two of the greatest songs from the album Tunnel of Love and Skateaway are 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.

The story of Louie Louie by The Kingsmen 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 terrifying story of a songwriter named John D. Loudermilk who was kidnapped by three men while sleeping in the backseat of his car during a late-night blizzard. Allegedly, his captors abused him for three days, until they found out that he was a professional songwriter in the Nashville music scene…and then.. they made him a deal…. agree to write a song about the injustices put upon the Cherokee people… or die. Loudermilk who had written songs for Johnny Cash, the Everly Brothers, and Roy Orbison agreed to their demands to save himself and honored the deal by writing a song that eventually became a massive global smash, the 70s hit Indian Reservation (the lament of the Cherokee). It would later be picked for Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere and the Raiders and became the biggest-selling song until Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean. The incredible story the writer told about writing the song was hard to believe… That’s because… he made the whole thing up. The truth surrounding one of the biggest pop smashes of the Rock Era is revealed. 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’re giving you a rare inside look at one of the most power-packed partnerships of the rock era. Two mighty musicians at the top of their game went on a massive decade-long run… Eddie Van Halen and Sammy Hagar… Van Halen kicked out four straight chart-topping records and 17 Top 10 rock singles. in just 9 years. For this episode we’re zeroing in on one of those tracks: the 1988 classic hit Finish What Ya Started. We’re telling the hilarious story behind its after-hours writing session. I actually got this one straight from this band’s legendary frontman the Red Rocker himself Sammy Hagar. And it’s really one of the funniest songwriting stories you’re ever going to hear. This famous guitarist interrupted his singer in the middle of an intimate night with his wife to write this song… and that’s what he wrote the song about.. the story is 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 Beatles...They are easily the biggest band ever. But after they broke up officially in 1970, the world hoped for a day they would reunite. but It seemed impossible. And yet following a decade of solo careers, for all four, Paul McCartney both solo and with Wings, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, and George Harrison there were behind-the-scenes talks of a reunion. it was actually going to HAPPEN! However, these plans were tragically cut short when John Lennon was taken from this earth. It was one of the darkest days in rock history. But then years later thanks to a near-forgotten demo tape, a reunion became a reality, as much as it could be… The surviving band members used this demo to record two new songs. Free as a Bird and Real Love. They also meant to do a third track called Now and Then, but the quality of the cassette was so poor they couldn’t finish it. Today we relive the history of all three songs including their new song, Now and Then… the poignant song has taken a band that has been broken up for over 50 years back to the top of the charts 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 catchy/happy singalong hit was actually written after Men Without Hats singer Ivan Doroschuk was kicked out of a club for moshing. He went home in defiance and wrote the Safety Dance... Little did he know it would became an 80s catchphrase and a #1 hit on the dance club chart and the Cashbox chart. It became the dance of the 80s and most don't realize it's actually a middle finger against conformity and authority. A protest song of the highest level. In this interview with Ivan Doroschuk the singer and creator of new wave band Men Without Hats tells the story and how the song has become a pop culture phenomenon. 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 Latin-flavored riff developed into an allegorical masterpiece and the signature song for America’s band. Hotel California by Eagles became their signature song. It’s the psychological tale of a man- precariously caught in a disturbing asylum- from which... he may never escape. The iconic writers Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and Don Felder wanted the song to open like an episode of The Twilight Zone.. They wrote it about the dark underbelly of the American dream and they used the song to call out another popular band of the time. The song was so epic the two guitar players Joe Walsh and Don Felder wrote a solo side-by-side that took 3 days to finish. It’s a song that every band dreams of writing… a Song that is still as popular and perplexing as it was the day it came out… A song that has inspired a dozen theories of what it really means. A '70s classic. We find out the true meaning 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’ve got the story of three mischievous New Yorkers who disavowed one of the biggest songs… Mike D, Ad-Rock, and MCA otherwise known as the Beastie Boys hated (You Gotta Fight) for Your Right (to Party). This breakthrough track became a legendary music video on MTV but for all the wrong reasons. A rebellious party anthem they wrote to make fun of party anthems in general but in the end, it painted the trio as immature frat boys. But the thing is, it was all a big joke… a throwaway track. Their producer however loved it and pushed for its release. After that things got out of hand real quick with the song blowing up on radio and MTV. And yeah, these guys were no angels… but when fans demanded they live up to the song’s raucous lyrics, they turned their backs on the track… and License To Ill in general. It almost broke up the band. Still, fans couldn’t get enough of it. And even today it is one of their most popular songs. It’s an all-out brawl for this band’s identity and a fight you’re not gonna want to miss… 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… an interview with the mysterious disappearing rocker of the 80s. John Parr had a massive #1 hit in the mid-80s… a song he co-wrote and recorded in less than a day… St Elmos Fire (Man in Motion) was to be the theme to a big movie the Brat Pack 80s coming-of-age film St Elmos Fire. but he actually wrote the song about an inspirational journey that was being forged at the time by a disabled man. The song was going to be a frontrunner for the Oscar that year but it was pulled from contention over its connection to this everyday hero. It ended up helping to raise millions of dollars and awareness for spinal injuries… Then at the height of his career, this rocker was betrayed by someone in his inner circle and litigation stopped him from making music for almost 18 years…during this time he disappeared from the spotlight and worked a regular job to raise his kids. Up next, an interview with this 80s icon. 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.

It’s a track that slowly builds energy, perseverance, & resolve. It’s a Frankenstein song… with 3 completely different songs stitched together AND IT’S THE Only song in Fleetwood Mac’s legendary career where all 5 members created it The Chain from the 1977 masterpiece Rumours. By the time you hear its exhilarating crescendo, you feel as if you can conquer ANYTHING... Even a devastating, soul-crushing breakup. Which is what this song did. Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, Lindsey Buckingham, and John McVie were about to self-destruct. The Chain actually stopped one of the world’s greatest bands from breaking up at their peak. If it weren’t for this song we would’ve missed out on six huge albums and 11 major hits. And to think it was never released as a single. Up next, the story of this 70s 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.

It’s the rise and fall of one of the most controversial bands of the 80s… Frankie Goes To Hollywood a band that many here in the US think of as a one-hit wonder. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. These guys killed it around the world, even notching three #1 hits in the UK in one year. Relax, Two Tribes and the Power of Love… Relax stirred up a firestorm of controversy. As DJs listened to the lyrics, they soon realized this track was far from family-friendly. And the song’s music video wasn’t exactly rated PG either. Soon it was banned on the airwaves and on TV. But it still skyrocketed up the charts anyway. Here in the US, we missed all that. But you know what we didn’t miss? The MERCH….Americans everywhere wore this group’s swag more than any other band. The Frankie Say Relax... Get the story of this blacklisted 80s band, Frankie Goes to Hollywood with Holly Johnson as lead singer. and their rise to the top, and their sudden disappearance… 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 one of the many genius tracks created by one of the most shy and reluctant stars of the Rock Era. Jeff Lynne ELO otherwise known as Electric Light Orchestra. The lyrics of this international hit have spawned very emotional interpretations. See if you can guess what the real answer is. Was their 70s classic Livin’ Thing written about the suicide of a former bandmate, was it written about Saving the Whales… Was it written about a bad bout of dysentery, some swear it's a crusade against abortion, and then others are convinced that the song is about a relationship…Try and guess once you hear the song and we will solve it. It’s a song that opened the door for the genius leader of this band to meet his heroes and work with them when they got back together. Let’s find 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.

In 1967, the illustrious Summer of Love, A psychedelic sunshine pop standard, hit number one on the US charts, Incense and Peppermints by Strawberry Alarm Clock but the song was cloaked in controversy, first of all, it was supposed to be a B-SIDE, then it was found that the song was allegedly based off of an instrumental idea from two of the band members who given credit. One Ed King, who would go on to help compose Sweet Home Alabama in Lynyrd Skynyrd… Then when the band was recording it, they hated the lyrics so no one in the band wanted to sing them, amazingly they were sung by a friend of the band, a 16-year-old kid who happened to be at the recording as a guest! Up next we get the story from An interview with the cofounder of this mystery band, Mark Weitz 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.

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’s breakup. It all fell apart when their producer forced each member to audition to sing on the song… their own song! With four musicians and just three verses… I’m sure you can do the math. Someone was getting the shaft. And then there was the music video, which has this iconic moment, that all of us remember. Susanna Hoffs and the iconic eye roll that made every boy a man... A moment that turned one of the singers into America’s sweetheart and left the others out in the cold. With the press and fans calling her the band’s lead singer, things got ugly fast. Stick around to find out if there is any way this divisive track could have a happy ending. The story’s 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.

Coming up the story of a song that was written on a bet… Graham Nash was staying with a friend in Hawaii and was getting ready to leave the island to go home when his friend said if you’re such a big shot songwriter let’s see if you can write a song before you go… I’ll BET you 500 bucks you can’t… Well needless to say he wrote a song quickly and let’s just say he won the bet… oh ya and it also became his legendary group Crosby Stills & Nash’s biggest hit… Up next in an exclusive interview, this legend shares the story… as well as the story of their classic hit Our House 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.

Sammy Hagar was in Montrose. At the time they were called America’s answer to Led Zeppelin and it wasn’t even the biggest band he’d be a part of…. Since he joined Van Halen years later. Up next one of the greatest voices in rock history, the red rocker tells the story behind his biggest solo hit… I Can’t Drive 55 is a song that became a catchphrase in the 80s and came from getting pulled over by the police… When the song came to him he was panicked to get to a paper and pen so that he could Write it down… It was a song that he knew would capture the public and in a way, it became an accidental protest song. A great interview 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... the story of a band on the brink of destruction. They had no direction, no identity, and no money. The Moody Blues lead singer & frontman had left the band, and in a last-ditch effort to save the group, the remaining founders hired a 19-year-old lead singer named Justin Hayward- hoping he would spark new life into their sagging future. After a late-night gig, Justin returned home to his one-room flat, sat on the edge of his bed, picked up an acoustic guitar, and wrote two verses and a chorus to a song that had been milling around in his head. He’d recently been dumped by a woman that he deeply loved, and although he had been in several relationships since the breakup still tore him up inside. Inspired by a posh but boring gift of bed sheets from a girl that he had briefly dated after his traumatic breakup, he wrote lyrics that unexpectedly progressed into the foundation of a song for the ages. Night in White Satin by the Moody Blues...It ended up being more than just a song…it was the precursor to a movement of prog rock in rock & roll history. The birth of a trailblazing, art 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.

Today we’re talking supergroups. And in particular one of the most unexpected collaborations of the 1980s. Damn Yankees. This band featured three big-time names, coming out of three big-time careers… Jack Blades from Night Ranger, Ted Nugent, Tommy Shaw of Styx, and Michael Cartellone from Lynyrd Skynyrd. Starting completely from scratch, they wrote half an album their first weekend together as a band… including the massive hit Hight Enough. The only thing is two of them were sure their other bandmate was going to hate the demo. Kind of a rogue character, they were really freaked he would tear this song apart. Then a couple years later, with two successful albums in the bag, the music industry completely turned upside-down. And their label actually offered them $1 million dollars not to record a third album. Just to walk away. So crazy. Did they take the money? Or did they make the album anyway? I tell you, this band’s story is pretty damn good. Find out all the details 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.

So how much is too much of a good thing? Well, today’s artist Phil Collins may epitomize the answer. This radio titan got off to a strong start in the 70s, was pretty much everywhere in the 80s, and barely slowed down for the 90s. He took over an established band in the 70s in Genesis then in the 80s he doubled his output by kicking off an unrelenting solo career… Beyond that, he also tried his hand at producing and collaborating with many legends… which brings us to today’s track: a so-called side-project that became a surprise duet when the Phillip Bailey of Earth Wind and Fire, whom he was producing suggested they write one together. It came quickly and they created a rough demo…except when they came back the next day to record it, they realized the demo was perfect so they released it…the story of one of the catchiest songs of 1985 is 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.

In an exclusive interview, Mark Farner formerly of Grand Funk Railroad or just Grand Funk tells the story of a song the came to him while praying. I'm Your Captain (Closer to Home) became an all-time 70s rock classic even thought it was 10 minutes long. It was the opening shot that made Grand Funk Railroad a household name, later having major hits with We're an American Band and The Locomotion, this 3 piece rock band was so huge...they sold out Shea Stadium faster than the Beatles. They've had 13 gold and platinum records and were one of the biggest concert draws of the 70s and they are not in the rock and roll hall of fame. Mark Farner tells the story of the classic.in this in depth song documentary. 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 Cure were underground for years making music that the outcasts embraced but then all of a sudden in the late 80s they started getting played on mainstream radio… and then they had a #2 hit with Lovesong from their 1989 classic Disintegration. After that The band that was everybody’s secret became mainstream and then they released today’s song. Robert Smith and the Cure put out a catchy sing-along classic that had half their fans screaming sell out! Friday I’m In Love hit #1 on the Alternative airplay chart and crossed over to the pop charts. To many, it was just a feel-good happy ditty but when the band had been the harbingers of doom for over a decade it was hard to fathom… Today’s story raised the question is it called selling out or is mainstream popularity the unavoidable price for reaching new audiences? We’ll find 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.

Coming up, it’s a smash hit from a band that was absolutely hammered by the rock press… At the center of a smear campaign, they called ‘em knock-offs, copy-cats, clones… And they were accused of being derivative of other popular bands at the time. Stone Temple Pilots took a lot of flack... But it was completely unwarranted… and untrue. In fact, in one Rolling Stone poll, STP was voted the worst new band by critics, and the best new band by readers….but It was the fans that got it right. This band was hugely popular. And their breakthrough song… PLUSH was a commercial monster, ruling the rock airwaves and MTV. Written in a hot tub, this mysterious track was inspired by a tragic kidnapping and murder, but its meaning is still something of a mystery. For decades, fans have tried to unravel its imagery… A classic by Scott Weiland….Smelling dogs, stolen masks, storms in your bedroom. See if you can figure out what it means. The story is 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. IN 1984 a film starring SNL alumni Bill Murray and Dan Ackroyd called Ghostbusters needed a theme song badly but scores of artists had tried or been approached but nothing was working. Ray Parker Jr. came in with just days to go before the song was due… but he had nothing and he had the challenge of fitting the strange and very long movie title into the chorus. But what rhymes with Ghostbusters??? Well one night at 3 in the morning Ray Parker was watching TV half awake when a pest control ad came and right there the song’s genesis came to him… the idea became one of the most recognizable songs ever.. this artist tells the 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, it’s a musical genius who was in the room for some of the biggest chapters in rock history: Alan Parsons. He was with Pink Floyd on their landmark album The Dark Side of the Moon and the Beatles on several of their masterworks including Abby Road. It doesn’t get any bigger than that. But you know what? This prodigy wrote a mind-blowing chapter of his own. Masterminding an unprecedented rock experiment, he not only gave us some of the most thought-provoking albums of the 70s and 80s but also one of the era’s most iconic tracks… Eye in the Sky a song that has provoked a lot of speculation about its meaning. Is it about Big Brother? A dystopian future? Gambling? Or maybe it’s a break-up song… Plus, get the story of the copycat song that has been called a nothing more than “lazy rip-off” of this epic track we get the story straight form the genius himself 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.

It was the biggest song of 1980, by a band that defied all classification. Blondie. I mean you just couldn’t put this band in a box. With connections to new wave, rock, punk, disco, reggae, and r&b, you never knew what you were going to get with Blondie. Versatile and experimental, they were musical chameleons. So it’s no surprise that they jumped at the chance to try something new when the opportunity came knocking… Even if they were the 2nd choice...the chance to headline a movie soundtrack with a completely new sound. Call Me became a 6-week #1 smash. Enter an eccentric Italian producer named Giorgio Moroder who worked tirelessly; to write the perfect song for this band… only Blondie's phenomenal front-woman Deborah Harry liked the music but re-wrote the lyrics on the fly after watching a rough cut of this movie. As you’ll find out, the song was better than the movie. In the end, though, the song was put on the soundtrack and not this band’s new album denying them millions of album sales... Find out why 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.

Up next, the last musical will and testament of an all-time legend. Jim Morrison of the Doors! Taken from the planet at the age of 27… Today’s song, Riders on the Storm was nearly as haunting as his death… It’s a sinister and mystical epic about a spree killer that has some incredible insight into the artist who created it as well as the human psyche. After lighting up the world with Break on Through and Light My Fire the Doors took their mystical rock to a new level of brilliance, but at what cost? We break down the epic rock track and the band 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.

The story of Glam Metal band Warrant and their MASSIVE 1990 Hit Cherry Pie! Written by lead singer Jani Lane. The song may've been a curse. Jani said as much himself.. It was also one of the last big hits of the Glam Metal genre that towered over the 80s. It may have been the song that ended the genre, coming at a time that GRUNGE took over and obliterated the excess of the music and the neon decade. Current Warrant band members Erik Turner and Joey Allen tell the story of writing and recording Cherry Pie and its impact on the time! 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 electrifying tale about a fateful encounter between a musical prodigy and the devil himself. Set against the backdrop of the American South, the encounter boldly turns into a fiery, foot-stomping duel known as The Devil Went Down to Georgia by The Charlie Daniels Band. A musician’s life is on the line. In the 80s classic hit, if he loses the bout, the devil gets his soul forever! It’s an epic battle of good vs. evil, a southern rock country fiddle classic, and an irresistible blend of story-telling and musical prowess in a classic song that crossed over to every genre and generation and had a swear word you didn’t normally hear on radio… 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 an artist who is on the shortlist of greatest singers ever. Part 2 of our sit down with Paul Rodgers who made his bones with many huge rock bands from Free to Bad Company to The Firm. Paul Rodgers killed it with every band he was in. In fact, he is one of a few artists in rock history to sing and write a top 5 hit with 4 different bands. Today he tells the story of a song that was so atmospheric and cool that the band drug all their recording equipment out to the middle of a field at night in the moonlight. It took hours to get everything hooked up, this was the 70s so it was difficult and Paul nailed it in 1 take. The name of the song would become the name of the band: Bad Company. He tells the 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.

It’s arguably the greatest duet ever recorded and well it almost didn’t happen. Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie. So First of all the iconic bass riff that galvanized the song was forgotten after the musicians took a dinner break… Then David Bowie almost blocked it from release because he was unhappy with it. the unorthodox structure of the duet came from every member of Queen including Freddie Mercury and David Bowie getting in separate vocal booths and singing improv without hearing what each other was singing… In the end, it fit like a glove… Then it wasn’t even a hit in America until the famous bass riff was Stolen by rapper Vanilla Ice in his song Ice, Ice Baby a decade after it was released reminding everyone of its sonic brilliance. The story behind this one is too good to be true. Yet it 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, Eagles were the most popular band in the world when they released the landmark 70s album Hotel California... It became a #1 hit and made them even bigger with 2 huge hits, the title track and New Kid In Town… Don Henley and Glenn Frey and company were on fire... the irony here is that this #1 song was the band singing about getting replaced by an up and coming artist and becoming forgotten. Next one of the legendary songwriters behind New Kid In Town, JD Souther who co-wrote 3 of the Eagles' #1 hits, tells us the anxiety and pressure the band had trying to maintain their top-of-the-charts status and we’ll find out if they remained on top or faded away… 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.

The backstory of today’s classic rock epic reads like the front page of The National Enquirer. Another Brick In The Wall by Pink Floyd from their landmark record The Wall but at first it was only a minute long and musically it was a little boring… it would take producer Bob Ezrin's secret mission and a fair amount of subterfuge to turn this Another Brick In the Wall to into the monster anthem it is today. With Roger Waters's prophetic lyrics and David Gilmour’s Disco guitar riff... It’s the tale of one of the most controversial songs ever to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. And you’re not going to believe just how controversial it was. 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.

Many have speculated on the real story behind this historic 70s classic. Peg by Steely Dan is an all-time. But the duo of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker have been famously tight-lipped about it. Well, today we try to solve this mystery from the two foremost perfectionists of modern music. The song is historic for myriad reasons. It contained 40 of the greatest musicians in the world. It introduced the world to one of music’s most legendary singers in Micheal McDonald who actually sang backup on it and to top it all off they had 7 of the top session guitarists record the iconic solo before they chose the one that made the cut and then he had to play if for 6 hours before the band was satisfied… a band that was once called sociopaths masquerading as benign dictators. 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.