Professor of Rock

Some songs start as hits but end up as punchlines. Over-saturation, endless mocking, and viral internet culture can transform a former chart-topper into a pop culture punching bag. Today, we're counting down 6 tracks and artists that went from beloved… to the butt of the joke. We’ve got stories like the time Conan O'Brien teased Michael Bolton. So Bolton threatened to end Conan's life by sending a softball through his head at their next charity softball game. Or how about when the star of Titanic, the highest-grossing film of the 20th century, said that movie’s theme song My Heart Will Go On makes her throw up in her mouth every time she hears it… because fans won’t stop playing it for her! And then there’s the music journalist who was locked inside a listening booth at a Best Buy, and was forced to listen to We Built This City his magazine called “the worst ever”… for 24 hours straight. Plus, there’s What's Up, the song that is so annoying I'd rather be water boarded then list to it. We’re covering the rock era’s best musical punchlines. Let’s go!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

So last week I showed this strange one-hit wonder Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm by the Crash Test Dummies, to my autistic son, and he was absolutely mesmerized. He has listened to it about 90 times since then, so it got me curious about a deep dive on it. It’s undeniably creepy but strangely comforting…Written about 3 different kids connected by the common thread of loneliness and suffering. It was inspired by true stories and events, and the singer delivers it in an unconventional style with a voice that many tried to imitate at the time it came out, but no one could do it. It made us all bristle with astonishment and wonder lead with the strangest meandering one-word chorus in history. It’s time to get to the bottom of this one. Let’s do it.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1980 was a wild year for rock. It’s hard to believe it was 45 years ago… The charts were dominated by soft rock holdovers and the last gasps of disco… Meanwhile, some of history’s most groundbreaking tracks were flying under the radar. Songs that became legit anthems for generations to come. But they couldn't even crack the Top 40. Today, we're counting down 10 badass tracks from 1980 that were ignored by Radio but are now Classics. Including Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart, a song that an iconic frontman wrote that fans and his own band didn’t realize was a suicide note till it was too late. Plus U2's I Will Follow that was written during a screaming rehearsal argument. Bono, who couldn’t play any instruments, got so angry he ripped the guitar off his guitarist's neck and started making a sound like a dentist’s drill. It became one of their most iconic tracks. Or what about the lovestruck guitarist Mark Knopfler, who got his punk rock girlfriend a record deal, only to be brutally dissed by her in a public interview… He turned that diss into a 6-minute sonic masterpiece. Let’s do it!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coming up you asked for it. and so her it is Round 2 with the UNFILTERED Dr Love. Gene Simmons of Kiss. This first iteration got backlash and I even got called out for not pushing back in the last interview My job is to ask questions and get out of the way. Well, haters are gonna hate because This one may piss them off even more. We talk about the classics from Kiss’ biggest song ever I Was Made for Loving You to the one that put ‘em on the map I Wanna Rock n Roll All Nite (And Party Every Day) plus some deep cuts, his notorious tongue, he shares his feelings on his roots which is very touching, how he made it in America, and then his phone dies mid-interview. He says what he wants, and along the way we get some great stories. Here’s Gene Simmons of Kiss on the biggest hits and misses. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Here’s Part 2 of the greatest Female Rock Singer Ever and most of save for a few minutes here and there most of this has not ever been show. Ann Wilson of Heart takes us from the late 80s thought the 90s and up to now with the stories of the song and album that made heart one of the greatest bands in history including the song that save their career, plus the song that became their biggest hit of the last 35 years but Ann Hates it so much she refused to play it for decades plus the song she took a step back and let her sister Nancy who was the guitarist and backing vocals sing and it became a smash…as well as tackling the most revered song in rock history that she sang in front of here heroes and made one cry and another smile plus their impact on grunge and the new millennium here’s Ann Wilson.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I've Made 1600 Episodes On This Channel-This Was The TOUGHEST One I've EVER Done!--Professor of RockSo the other day I was doing some organizing and I found a buried treasure. A Paper I wrote back in Jr High about My Late Father. The Assignment back then was do a report on something your father is passionate about. My Dad passed away almost 7 years ago so it was a really precious memory to read this paper. My dad and I always connected on music, he’s the reason I do what I do. I did the Paper on his favorite songs of all time. So coming next I’m going to count down my dad’s top 10 and tell you the stories..from both the history of the song and his own stories behind them. It’s a very personal episode and so I’m going to get right into it. See 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 putting music's greatest legends on trial. counting down the most insane musical courtroom dramas in history and giving you the verdicts… Now I guarantee you know about these famous lawsuits, but you’ve never heard the true stories of them, and they will blow your mind like the rappers Vanilla Ice who clearly ripped off his #1 hit Ice Ice Baby from 2 legendary artists Queen and David Bowie, but did you know that by ripping them off, he actually made their song 10 times bigger? And then he actually turned around and bought the full copyright of the song because it was cheaper than the legal fees. So he makes money off his rip-off and the original. Plus, there's the late legendary rocker Ozzie Osbourne who was sued because parents claimed his song caused the death of their son. But the song was actually completely misunderstood. But they tried to get him brought up on charges of manslaughter…and then there’s the legend who was sued for ripping off his own song! John Fogerty who's solo hit allegedly ripped off an earlier Creedence Clearwater Revival Song... Plus did Led Zeppelin steal Stairway to Heaven from Mary Poppins or the band Spirit? Let’s find out!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today, we're all about the Bee Gees, one of the most iconic groups, not just of the '70s, but of the entire rock era. These masters of pop reinvention went from cabaret obscurity to global domination, only to become scapegoats for a cultural revolution that came crashing down all around them. It’s a story of evolution, survival, and resilience. In it, we’ll cover the song Nights on Broadway that led to the most recognizable helium-powered voice of the rock era…and it was a total accident. There’s also the story of how the Bee Gees gave away one of their biggest potential hits More Than a Woman to a lesser-known band as a gift. But over time, their original version, which was only released as a B-Side, went on to dominate the airwaves and surpass that group anyway. You'll also hear how the guys cranked out three #1 hits in an hour and a half like it was nothing. And how when they turned their album to record execs they were told they didn’t hear any hits…Turns out the album would have 7 #1 hits and their main singer would replace himself at #1 a record four straight times. But just a year later, the Bee Gees would be musical pariahs…as radio wouldn’t touch their music. Let’s do it.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It was 40 years ago that today’s song Separate Lives hit #1. And it’s definitely one of the most heart-wrenching duets ever recorded, and to this day, even though it was a #1 hit sung by Phil Collins, one of the biggest artists ever... it doesn’t get the credit or the plays it should. And it has an amazing story behind it. 40 years ago Phil Collins was arguably the biggest artist on the planet. He was right there with Michael Jackson, Madonna and Prince and he didn’t have a lot in common with them... He looked more like your dad’s accountant, but he had one of the greatest voices ever, and from 1984 to about 1991 he had a hit every single week on the charts and in 1986 he could’ve whispered on a record and it would be a hit. Well he wrote most of his hits, but he sang a duet with an up and comer named Marilyn Martin that cut to the bone… Separate lives was a big hit from the movie white nights and the reason it was so heart wrenching is because it really happened. It was written by Stephen Bishop who had quite a few hits and actually the biggest hit he wrote, he didn’t sing and the biggest hit that he sang he didn’t write! find out what those songs were in our interview coming up… Plus find out the famous actress who ripped his heart out that that inspired Separate lives and find out why Phil Colins’s duet partner Marilyn Martin quit music to be a real estate agent! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coming up…A story of scorned passion…revenge, and arson. It sounds like a film noir thriller, but it was actually an innocent 2-minute song called Norwegian Wood by a little band called the Beatles! The song was based on a cheating husband (John Lennon) whose finished masterpiece managed to offend one of the most influential artists of the Rock Era and change the landscape of popular music for generations to come. It was from the greatest band ever that some critics then and now called the first boy band bashing them over their first few hits like She Loves You Ya Ya Ya… Well, this was the song that turned them into popular music’s Michaelangelos! They set the course for music and decades later everyone is still trying to match them. There’s only one band that could create such a storm of melodrama. Including Paul McCartney taking some credit and George Harrison’s latter feud with Lennon over a writing credit. Find out all the details NEXT on Professor of Rock.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey Music Junkies Professor of Rock always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest songs of a all time. Make sure to subscribe to the channels Well we are truly getting to the end of our yearly countdowns If Can find 10 great top 40 songs in a year end countdown, I will cover it but it’s getting harder and harder. So let’s get into the final year of the 90s…1999! Let’s get into it. … According to the Billboard Magazine’s Year End Survey, the 10th biggest song of the year for 1999 was “Living la Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin….But, we’re kicking off our countdown of the Top 10 Songs of ’99 with, “What It’s Like” by Everlast at #10: This was Everlast's first solo single after leaving the group, House Of Pain. Being in that band became an arduous task that Everlast hated. He compared it to the feeling you have when you wake up early on Monday morning and have to go to school. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

History tells us that Nirvana saved rock and roll in 1991 with Smells Like Teen Spirit, but that’s the history that was written by the media… what if I told you that there were a couple of moments that happened before Nevermind and Teen Spirit that moved the needle but didn’t get the hype? We’re going to cover one of those moments today that happened a couple of years before Nirvana, and it’s a crazy story. It involves code words and mystery lyrics, a decades-long feud with a rival band that came from stealing this band’s dance moves, and a controversial music video that gave every animal rights activist a coronary. All of this is connected to Epic, one of the most influential songs you’ve heard. And it is part of an alternative history that has been buried. Today’s song Epic came right after today’s band Faith No More fired their singer… a new singer came right in and wrote the lyrics to this band’s killer riff. and this band knew it was a hit but the record label didn’t care… they chose the band’s first single and when it flopped they let this group pick the next single…it not only ignited this band’s fortunes, some argue it invented a new genre but so many styles we’re represented here they had everything in this song… even the kitchen sink…the story is NEXT on the Professor of Rock. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

So In the past we’ve counting down the greatest television theme songs from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. We’ve covered movie scores and the best jingles. And through it all, I’ve had thousands of requests for Saturday Morning Cartoons or cartoon themes. Well On this episode, we’re counting down the greatest cartoon theme songs of the 80s. And we've got some crazy stories to tell. Like, did the J Geils Band secretly lift their risqué chart-topper Centerfold from a kids cartoon… about tiny blue creatures? We’ll also solve the bizarre internet rumor that’s persisted for decades, claiming the dignified host of Inside the Actors Studio was the secret mastermind behind the ThunderCats themes ever. How did that even start? And wait until you hear how Arnold Schwarzenegger indirectly launched one of the biggest action figure lines of the decade and one of the most iconic cartoon themes in history. Plus, a hit songwriter wrote one of the catchiest songs of all time… Everyone knew it would be a #1 smash, but it became a kids' TV song and never got released as a single. He missed a #1 hit, but decades later it’s more famous than any of the #1 hits from the year it came out.. Can you guess it from its first second? From bouncing bears to pizza-loving reptiles, we're covering it all. Let’s do it.See 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 massive hit from a band that was absolutely clobbered 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 including Pearl Jam. Yes Scott Weiland and Stone Temple Pilots took a lot of flack... But it was completely unwarranted… and untrue. In fact, in one Rolling Stone poll STP were 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 death, 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.See 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 Police, a rookie band that would start a 5-year trek that would take them from nobodies to the biggest band in the world. But their first couple of singles would be B.O.D. banned on delivery because they were about a hooker and suicide: Roxane and Can't Stand Losing You. And to discuss these two classics, I have 2 of the principals from the band, Sting and Stewart Copeland. Their first 2 songs were catchy and had the makings of big-time hits, but radio refused to play them due to their subject matter. But there’s more to it than that … it may be that the band stretched the truth about radio blacklisting them to stir up controversy and publicity. Well, let’s find out… coming up, the most famous song about a sex worker in history on Professor of Rock.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coming up I interviewed one of the most ICONIC rock stars in the history of planet earth.. Love him or hate him, he’s always got something to say and when he says it, you know it’s how he really feels, he doesn’t mince words and it was no different when I spoke to him It’s always interesting because the man has no filter and he doesn’t care about Political correctness or kowtowing to anyone or anything. . He says what he thinks, and in this interview, he gives us his truth behind some long-held myths about his band’s songs, and it rewrites some famous stories that have been told forever, including his band’s biggest hit, which was a B-side that sounded nothing like their typical rock songs, and who really wrote it. Everyone has said he hates it, but he tells us his real opinion on it and how it got the hard rock band to play on AM Radio next to Jonn Denver. He goes off on censorship and how certain songs get canceled, but others skate by, including certain rap songs. It’s Gene Simmons unfiltered. He says what he wants because he just doesn’t care anymore. Here it is.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sometimes the deepest cuts leave the most lasting marks. I’m talking about songs that never dominated the airwaves, but are worthy of regular rotation in our lives. Today we're celebrating 7 female hidden gems that deserve way more love than they ever received. We've got the story of Sandy Denny, the only female vocalist ever to appear on a Led Zeppelin studio album. She went toe-to-toe with Robert Plant to create a bona fide Zeppelin classic. Then there's the heartbreaking tale of an under-the-radar vocalist named Eve Cassidy who gave her final public performance while battling terminal cancer. Her haunting rendition of an iconic track became her devastating farewell to the world. Then there was the prolific male songwriter from ABBA who wrote a song about his brutal divorce… just so happens that the woman he was divorcing was the singer in his band and she had to sing this song next to him for years... and hear it for the next 45 years when it became a classic. Add to that stalker survivor Sarah McLachlan, and Kate Schellenbach, the only woman to ever be called a Beastie Boy, and you know this is going to be a must-watch episode. Let’s get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Despite its eventual historic significance, there was a moment when the band’s iconic lead singer contemplated scrapping one of the greatest albums ever recorded, because he had second thoughts about the quality of the record. The story of what led to the creation of U2’s astonishing achievement The Joshua Tree NEXT on Professor of Rock.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coming up, some perfect songs that came out during the great downturn in mainstream music when rock was becoming extinct including Everlong, the greatest rock song of the last 30 years by Dave Grohl, a man who was in the shadow of one of the most revered frontmen in history, but he stepped out of the background and shocked the world with a one man band that I believe has superceded his original band. Then there’s the band Chumbawumba that had whose massive hit Tubthumping was flying off the shelves at record stores. But then a band member told fans she didn’t care if they shoplifted their new album…There were so many stolen copies that their label had to force stores to stop carrying the record! Then there’s the sappiest song of its time, Butterfly Kisses, that actually cost me my marriage. Plus, the haunting classic Silver Springs that was unfairly pulled from one of the biggest albums ever Fleetwood Mac's Rumours, only to end up as a hard-to-find B-side. But it made the ultimate comeback when it was recorded as part of a live album 20 years later. Sweet revenge came when it not only charted but became one of the legendary band’s most-streamed songs. Plus Mark Morrison who wrote Return of the Mack a song about a comeback while he was in prison, and the song hit #1.See 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 classic song from one of our most precious singer-songwriters who has a debilitating disease and won’t be with us much longer… the great Neil Diamond. We hope for a miracle, but for the time being, we can celebrate his genius as one of the most beloved icons of the 60s 70s and 80s. Today we honor his classic song "I am... I Said," that was inspired by the experience of a failed screen test for a film about one of the most controversial comedians of the 20th century. It was the most personally challenging song of his illustrious career. And it took him 4 long months to write. It was a daily battle to put the song on paper, and it truly drained him emotionally. But when it was finished, it turned out to be one of the most fulfilling songs he had ever written. In fact, it came from therapy sessions he was having at the time. However, one lyric about a chair inspired a famous journalist to write a scathing book about Bad Songs, wherein he ripped this 70s classic to Shreds… However, the fans struck back with bags and bags of hate mail, and it was so insurmountable the journalist had to write a public apology, and he very nearly retired! The story of the most ridiculed song of it’s time and a tribute to a beloved icon next on Professor of Rock. Look for the new movie about Neil Diamond's music "Song Sung Blue" with Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson.See 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 our Taboo Songs countdown, where we cover the most controversial tracks that either sparked outrage back in their day or that some modern audiences have tried to cancel…We’ve done many episodes on this and it’s become one of our most popular series. So today we’re at it again. And this time around, we’re turning up the heat… with a truly strange story. The legendary guitarist Link Wray whose distorted guitar tune Rumle became the only song in American history to be all-out banned from radio despite having zero lyrics. It was just too sinister for listeners! Then there’s the story of Cher, who was banned by the US Navy after recording a near-nude music video on a naval ship. Not only did she receive a Naval ban, but she got everyone else banned as well. Then there’s the story of a controversial track Dear God by XTC, that inspired a radio station B-O-M-B threat and a high schooler to take his principal hostage and forcibly play the song over the school’s PA system. They’re the songs that provoked outrage and were deemed too dangerous for the public. Find out which one tops the list... NEXT on the Professor of Rock.34 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s a fact today’s band Dire Straits was a revelation when they first came out in the 70s…They interrupted disco and took radio hostage with a throwback rock sound that was completely their own, thanks to their versatile singer-guitarist. But after a spectacular debut, their sophomore album was a failure; it faltered on the charts, and they were back to square one. Determined to get back on top, today’s legendary singer heard a song on the radio that blew his mind, and that song set into motion his best work. His new album was close to perfect, but he was so meticulous about it he actually erased the title track from the tracklist and then he erased his own brothers’ contributions from the final mix, causing a bitter fallout between the brothers and bandmates in facts, they hadn't spoken in almost 45 years. The record had some incredible artistic risks, including dead air that made DJs panic. Next, the story of one of the most cinematic records ever.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coming up, the final part of my deep dive conversation with Rick Beato. This time we talk about the most underrated band of all-time, as well as the catchiest song of the last 40 years, and the band from yesteryear that is having the most impact on our kids, and discuss the oft-sighted term musical genius, and who are the last musical geniuses on this planet. Plus, what is the greatest Riff in music history, and I try not to incur the wrath of the Swifties when we discuss Taylor Swift’s legacy in comparison to other female icons from the last 40 years. Hell, we even discuss aliens and UFOs… You’ll see what I mean next. Let’s geek out on music.See 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 collaboration with another one of my favorite YouTubers. A famous rockstar and one of the funniest guys in music, it's Justin Hawkins. We connected when he toured through Salt Lake City with The Darkness, and we had a great hang, discussing everything from our personal interactions with Corey Feldman to bonding over getting copyright claims. We’ve both gotten plenty, but Justin shares a revelation… He got one for using his own music! I pick his brain about his picks for his favorite songs of all time, and his classic stadium anthem I Believe in a Thing Called Love and jamming with his heroes. It’s great fun. Let’s do it. Make sure to subscribe to Justin's YouTube Channel: @JustinHawkinsRidesAgainSee 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 telling the tale of a misunderstood sibling rivalry between Paul McCartney and John Lennon. We’re talking two legendary singer-songwriters who were the driving engines behind one of Music’s most legendary bands The Beatles… until it all fell apart. And yeah, it was one hell of a fallout. And that’s where we’re going with today’s episode, the aftermath and all its wreckage. As Paul and John went solo, a war of words ensued through their music… songwriting skirmishes and potshots launched via lyrics. Including some low blows. But was it really as bad as it seemed? The answer may surprise you. Today, it’s an all-out, free-for-all, “tell us how you really feel” songwriting slugfest and a multi-song episode that proves that the pen is mightier than the sword… Would there be a happy ending? Find out NEXT on the Professor of Rock.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coming up, we're relaunching and rebranding a series that we used to feature as a regular entry on the channel… The Hit Song Redux. WE USED TO TRAVEL BACK to the golden era of rock to count down the top 10 hits from THIS SAME WEEK, AND THEN AFTER THE SHOW, WE’D TELL YOU what the real top 10 was based on how much the world has listened to them since. But now there’s a twist… we’re expanding our coverage to the entire Top 40 from that week to find out once and for all what song is the real all-time #1… we’re calling it Test of Time. On this inaugural episode, you’ll hear the story of a heartbreaking confession from James Taylor, who didn't find out he lost his closest friend until 6 months after she was gone. And so he wrote a classic Fire and Rain, inside a psych ward. Plus, the throwaway song The Tears of a Clown that Smokey Robinson recorded just because he needed an extra song, 3 years later, after he’d already put out several new albums. Someone at his fan club put the 3-year-old reject out for the fan club, and the radio started playing it, and it soared to #1. Plus, Immigrant Song, the track that unintentionally crowned Led Zeppelin the greatest rockers of all time. It was meant to be a joke, but fans took it seriously. And they got it right. the story Your Song By Elton John, No Matter What by Badfinger, Black Magic Woman by Santana, I Think I Love You the Partridge Family, I'll Be there by the Jackson 5, and My Sweet Lord by George Harrison. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coming up, we are about to discuss one of the catchiest songs of the 80s. It's My Life by Talk Talk. One that makes the hair on your neck stand on end. But it came from a genius reclusive artist, Marc Hollis, who didn’t want the limelight. He played the game as best he could, but was miserable doing it. He should’ve had dozens of hits, but It's My Life was his only hit in America. But there’s a lot to this story. After this big smash hit he walked away from music to be a father, and he never returned, but he had good reason to. When he was away, a greedy label put a lame remix album without his permission. He sued them, and they had to destroy eversingle copy they had made and this was sweet revenge, especially after his label had sued him before for not being commercial enough. The story of a classic is next.See 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 video that we tried to release 2 years ago. It was up for a bit but got claims. Then we tried to put it up again last year, and the same thing happened before we could even release it. So we made some adjustments, but due to its subject and its history of trouble, we will only have it up for a short time. But let’s see if it stays up first. It’s the story of an artist we lost on Christmas Day in 2016. Back in the 80s, he was obsessed with dominating the charts. His goal in 1984 was to score four #1 singles. And, by November of that year, he and his musical 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 that couldn’t miss, but it ran into the biggest song ever and had to settle for #2. But here’s the thing…He actually sang a small part on that song, too! So he sang on the top 2 songs on the countdown, but his own song was kept out of #1, but it would become one of the biggest songs ever with 4 billion streams, and to think it was only a promotional single in America, but the big Surprise is that it actually ended up hitting #1... 37 years later… Merry Christmas from Professor of Rock.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Professor of Rock is celebrating with another stellar classic from the vault. The in-depth story of one of the biggest selling singles of all time. The only 80s song to hit #1 four different times … Do They Know It’s Christmas by Band Aid was put tother by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to fight starvation in africa. Geldof saw the famine on television and knew he had to do something do ha assembled an A list team to record a song that he hoped could generate millions for relief. Everyone from Sting to George Michal to Duran Duran, Boy George, Spandau Ballet, Bono of U2, Phil Collins and many more. Up next an exclusive mini Documentary on the story of the song with co-writer and creator Midge Ure of UltraVox as well as interviews with 80s icons Paul Young, Tony Hadley formerly of Spandau Ballet. Four different versions of the song have went to #1 in the UK. The heart felt story is told in this new mini-documentary…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Merry Christmas Eve from Professor for Rock! Today, we revisit an absolute POR classic; a special gift for you from our friend the 3rd biggest selling male artist of the 20th century behind only Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra… He tells the story behind his classic Christmas record as well as the magical story behind his #1 hit Chances Are! The first time he heard it on the radio he almost wrecked his car he was son excited.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A few weeks ago, I told you that I had a special gift for you this Christmas, and it’s a few days early. The most requested video in the history of my channel: a Rick Beat dit down. Over the history of my channel, I've had thousands upon thousands of requests asking for this video. I don’t know what you’d call it… Some have called it a crossover. Some have called it a collab. But whatever you want to call it, I had a blast. Over the summer, when I was drowning in the quicksand of claims and despair, this legend reached out to me to offer help, as he had been through my plight and then some. And we became fast friends. And since then, we've spoken on the phone many times and had some great talks about all things music. For today’s interview, I go down a rabbit hole of rock and roll with Rick Beato. From his early years to his extensive career, and along the way, I PICK HIS BRAIN and ask him the questions I've always been curious about in his musical journey... from his favorite records to the one song he would like to hear before he leaves this earth… to some things that I’m not sure anyone knows about him. This is one I guarantee you’ll enjoy. Let’s get into it. "See 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 time to resurrect some of the greatest hits of the 70s and 80s that were actually huge hits in their time but have been somewhat forgotten in modern times. I’m going to prove why they deserve the Stranger Things treatment, meaning a renaissance in pop culture... including the rock song Midnight Blue that Lou Gramm brought to his band Foreigner, but was crestfallen when the leader rejected the song outright… So Lou put it out as a solo song, and it outsold Foreigner’s next album by a long shot… Sweet revenge. Then there’s The Tubes' song She's a Beauty, that everybody knows by heart, but nobody can remember the band’s name. It was their only big hit, and it came from an exotic dancer. Or how about The Little River Band that had 13 hits in a short time, including Cool Change and years later, they can’t even tour under their own band name because a bunch of impostors own it, even though none of them are original members. There’s also the stories of Throwing it all away by Phil Collins and Genesis. Atomic by Blondie that was stolen from a Nursery Rhyme. Also Same Auld Lang Syne by Dan Fogelberg, the Best of Times by Styx and I’ll wait By Van Halen. The songs in this episode share one astonishing link: they were monster hits that faded from the cultural spotlight, seldom landing in TV, film, or social media. It’s time to change that…next on Professor of Rock!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coming up, one of the most perplexing disappearing acts in rock history. Blondie with Debbie Harry defined the late 70s and early 80s and was the face of the musical movement. They were beloved by critics, and they ruled the charts with 7 huge hits in about 3 years. But they weren’t just hits; they defined the era. True masters of hook-laden classics that captivated punk kids, rock kids, and disco kids equally, but their label was so out of touch with their sound that even after several big hits, they doubted them. In fac,t they had an album that seemed completely hitless or at least that’s what the label told them after listening to it. Granted, the Autoamerican was very different from their other material. when it came out, the risky record got no love from the industry, but then it scored 2 number one hits in a row, including today’s featured song The Tide is High and Rapture flowing Blondie hits like Call Me and One Way or Another. . Today's song the Tide is High was beloved by one of the greatest rock legends ever John Lennon, who brought it up in an interview, ironically the next week the song he loved replaced him at #1 but sadly this song would be their swan song on the charts Worn down by a never-ending workload and label pressure to stay on top, these guys bottomed out and never had an other hit after having 7 big ones in just 3 years. . But was it really the end? We’ll find out… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

So what happens when Weird Al, the world's most famous musical comedian—a guy who's made a career out of roasting rock’s biggest acts—completely snubs you? Or give us a short clip of what a full-blown parody might’ve been like, but never turned it into a full song. Today, we're talking missed opportunities… and hidden gems by the king of musical comedy and covering career-defining hits that were begging to be mocked… the biggest bands and artists who somehow escaped the ultimate honor in music: getting sonically skewered by the prince of parody. Most of these bands got a little taste of what a parody of their song could’ve been, but they never got the full monty. And many were huge missed opportunities, including Axl Rose, who was brilliantly mocked on multiple occasions… but just not when it counted most, as well as another rock frontman who really wanted to be skewered but Al declined. There’s also the hilarious send-up of Alanis Morissette's Ironic music video, where he rides shotgun and spazzes out right alongside her... but skipped the song parody. And then there’s a funny parody making fun of Metallica, who were fighting Napster. Many claimed it was Al, and the song started going viral, but was it the real deal? We find out next on PROFESSOR OF ROCK.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coming up a famously cerebral band that many think is one of the greatest ever, but they only had one radio hit, and guess what, they HATE IT. They Loathe It. Refuse to perform it, you’ve heard the cliché many times, but there’s a rub with this one. It's a song that spoke to a generation but was never intended to. The Band wrote it as a joke. The guitarist thought it sucked, so he played the most outrageously over-the-top dumb guitar solo ever to sabotage it, and it totally backfired. It made the song a classic. It was written about the lead singer’s awkward, drunken plea to a girl who thought he was a creep because he was stalking her. It was a confession made to this girl he was obsessed with… He crashed and burned, but the song rocketed up the charts, and even though it was a creepy joke, it was both cathartic and the epitome of self-deprecation. Let’s do it. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I shared a video a few months back about the legendary rockstar who walked out of my interview to go eat a burrito. Well, today I have that uncut rollercoaster interview. And as we were prepping it this week, it was funny because the first thing he told me before we even started talking was that I could ask him anything. Well it’s probably the most entertaining interview I’ve ever done because He shares some incredible stories behind some of the greatest songs of all time because He was in 2 different supergroups The Byrds and Crosby Stills and Nash and a vital part of the music of the 60s and 70s but then he turns on me and tells me what for and walks out of the interview only to return about 45 minutes later… I think he was hangry, but no matter, this is a must-see interview, a train wreck that somehow has a cool ending. We get the stories of some of the greatest songs of the 60s and 70s, including Eight Miles High, Mr. Tambourine Man, Turn! Turn! Turn! and Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, Teach your Children, and Ohio here’s my interview with David Crosby Warts, profanity, cuss out and all! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coming up… a riveting leap back to the ‘80s to celebrate 10 phenomenal songs that don’t get the credit they deserve from some of the greatest female voices ever, including some insane stories behind them. including a Natalie Merchant who was touring a London museum, was suddenly struck by a tingling, then numbness, and searing pain. She would have emergency surgery to save her life and spinal cord. In the surgery, they had to remove 3 bones from her spine & shift her vocal cords to the side. When she awoke, she could no longer sing… There’s also the eerie vocal by Bjork and a strange song that sounded like a Train Wreck, but its peculiarity made its singer a revelation. And then there’s the pivotal day when Sade would give a career-defining performance, and at the time, she was destitute and improvising a life inside an abandoned fire station. Where the building’s utilities failed—the toilet froze, nearly running a career before it began. Plus, the highest note achieved on a hit song in history by Sheena Easton, and it’s not annoying. The stories of the 80s hits by Warlock and Doro which became a one hit wonder, Heart featuring Ann Wilson with a duet Surrender to Me, the Sugarcubes Birthday, Piano in the Dark by Brenda Russell and Magic by Olivia Newton John and Rooms in Fire by Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac,See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sometimes the biggest songs never got their due on the charts. Today we're counting down the Top 10 tracks from 1979 that should have been massive hits but somehow never cracked the Top 40 even though they defined a generation, shaped rock history, and became undeniable classics—And as per usual, we’ve got some crazy stories… like Police frontman Sting who got so drunk in a Munich hotel room that the world was spinning around him—but in the middle of his drunken stupor he came up with one of the most cosmic tracks of the decade, Walking on the Moon. There's also a guitar legend Mark Knopfler who wrote the song Lady Writer about a brilliant woman on TV and used her to absolutely destroy his ex-girlfriend with some seriously savage lyrics. And we'll reveal the infamous lyric from Neil Young that would haunt him forever after it appeared in one of music's most tragic suicide notes. Plus, the top 2 songs on this countdown are 2 of the most played songs in rock history, with about 8 billion streams and listens Pink Floyd Comfortably Numb and AC/DC Highway To Hell, but were never hits. One was almost an instrumental and one is arguably the greatest riff ever. Plus the story of All of My Love from Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant's tribute to his fallen son. See 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 most insane story of a hit song in the annals of insane stories of hit songs. A famous songwriter John D Loudermilk was allegedly kidnapped by three men while resting in his car waiting out a late-night blizzard. He said he was beaten for three days, and then it got worse when they found out he was a famous songwriter… That’s when they made a deal with him under duress. If he would write a song about the unjust treatment of their people, the Cherokees would let him live. Otherwise, they would take his life. There really wasn’t a choice… Now, this songwriter had written a lot of great songs for everyone from Johnny Cash to Roy Orbison, so he was confident he could write a song to save his life. He agreed to the three men’s demands to save his own life. He went about writing a song called Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian) and it became a massive global smash for Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere and The Raiders..After the song became massive and he had lived up to his promise… the truth would finally come out, and it would ruin his career… The truth surrounding one of the biggest hits of its time coming up next on Professor of Rock.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

They had the talent. They had the songs. They had their shot at superstardom. But for these artists, something went off the rails… Dead wrong at exactly the wrong moment—leaving us to wonder what might have been. Today we're counting down eight bands and solo acts who seemed destined for massive, enduring careers… but for reasons ranging from self-sabotage to tragedy to bad timing, it never happened. Including the La's perfectionist frontman, who actually destroyed millions of dollars' worth of his own recorded music because it didn't sound “authentic” enough. He physically destroyed them, and no one will ever hear them! Or what about the Fiona Apple who ruined her career with an out-of-control acceptance speech at an awards show? After that, her career stalled because her label refused to release her latest album… then thousands of fans mailed apples to the label’s headquarters in protest. Find out why. Plus, the mysterious hospital cover-up that robbed us of what could have been rock’s greatest frontman, Mother Love Bone's Andrew Wood. It’s our latest episode of One and Done, NEXT on the Professor of Rock.Plus the story of 80s bands that had a chance to be huge but lost their careers including Shattered Dreams by Johnny Hates Jazz, Wild, Wild West by the Escape Club, I Just Died in Your Arms Tonight by Cutting Crew and You Get What You Give by the new Radicals who chose to be a one hit wonder. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coming up next… You’ve seen pieces of this interview over the years but here is the uncut full length version with one of the greatest rock vocalists in history. From her formative years to the her legendary years in the 70s to her fall from grace in the early 80s to the comeback in the 80s.  and the stories of all the songs are here including Crazy on You the song that put Heart and Ann Wilson on the map.  When people started calling them a Woman’s answer to Led Zeppelin along with the other massive hits’ magic man and the Scumbag record executive who harassed her that led to the Rock classic Barracuda to the Duet where the label gave her the choice to sing with any rock frontman in the business and how she learned to sing like that…a full uncut interview with rock legend ann wilson is next…Make sure to subscribe below for more interviews like this.  Let’s do it. See 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 legendary Prince who wrote a throwaway song that he gave to his bandmate's solo project. He wrote it quickly, without thought, as a favor for his bandmate to give him a little something. He had just picked up an acoustic guitar and created the song in a matter of minutes. The very next day, Prince came into the studio, and as a courtesy, he checked on his bandmate, who was in the middle of recording that throwaway track. But all of a sudden, Prince heard something more. It was better than he’d originally thought. In fact, as Prince continued to listen, he knew the song was going to be a massive hit, and he knew it was too good for this side project. So he took it back. Prince immediately locked himself in the studio for several hours and transformed the little acoustic ditty into one of the funkiest hits of the 80s: Kiss. Sure enough, it hit #1, and he promised to give his bandmate a writing credit. But it never happened. We have a great story of a throwaway song that hit #1 and the drama that followed next. Let’s do it. See 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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You know how much I love the stories of the great one-hit wonders of the rock era. Well, today we're starting off a new countdown series on the channel, and this one is going to be a blast… It’s the 10 best Bottled Lightning hits from a single year in the rock era. And to kick off the series, we’re targeting the halfway point of the 80s, including the story of powerhouse vocalist Alison Moyet who publicly rejected her biggest US hit, calling it weak and vowing to never perform it again and she has kept that promise… We’ve also got the supergroup The Firm featuring Jimmy Page, arguably the greatest guitarist ever, who let the lead singer Paul Rodgers play the guitar on their biggest hit, even though the singer could barely play. And then there's the song by Cock Robin that seemed innocent enough in the 80s, but whose lyrics read like a restraining order waiting to happen. The creepiest love song of the 80s, and it’s not Every Breath You Take. Plus Kate Bush's Running Up That Hill that went from millions of streams over 36 years to billions of views overnight due to one single use in a famous show… Let’s do it.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We have another year-end countdown today, and this one is packed with songs that have stood the test of time, including a broke rockstar Johnny Rzenik who had just been screwed over by his label and was coming off a brutal divorce and ready to quit music. But an epiphany while strumming a guitar with many broken strings gave him one of the biggest hits ever, Goo Goo Dolls' Iris. Plus the female powerhouse Alanis Morissette, who sold 33 million copies of her debut, only to lose 30 million of those fans on her follow-up song Thank U, which had a provocative video where she appeared naked & blurred. Plus Lauryn Hill, who said she wasn’t dissing her contemporary in her hit song but ripped her with a one-liner that felt like an uppercut about her booty. Plus the greatest song of the last 30 years, Bittersweet Symphony, that has been one of the most streamed and synced songs ever and the artist behind it made nothing and how a song about getting a BLEEEEP while dancing close became the #1 hit of the year… Let’s do it.To get $35 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames go to: AuraFrames.com and use promo code ROCK at checkout.See 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 Final Single from the hardest-hitting, most epic rock band in history, Led Zeppelin. The song? Fool in the Rain. For a decade, Zeppelin ripped a hole in the ozone layer and redefined rock, but for their final magnum opus, they came out of left field with a dynamite single that was so catchy they knew it couldn’t miss. Whereas they’d had few hits because they were an albums band first and only released a handful of singles, they knew they had a sure-fire hit on their hands, and it came from their final proper studio album. Would the band that only had a few of the top 40 singles because mainstream radio refused to play them finally get a #1 hit? Fool in the Rain had the best chance yet, but it was a big gamble; it sounded nothing like their heavy sound. Let’s find out next. Regardless, Zeppelin would defy radio and sell 300 million records. Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham wrote some of the greatest songs in rock history from Stairway to Heaven, Kashmir, Whole Lotta Love and Black Dog but Fool in the Rain maybe the catchiest song they ever wrote...Here's the story!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Merry Christmas a little early, everyone! Today I’ve got a once-in-a-year countdown for you that I know will put a smile on your face… For this episode, we’re unwrapping a Christmas rock countdown. But to be honest, some of these tracks weren’t exactly born out of holiday cheer. One was actually written by a musical genius, Brian Wilson, to spite a hero and rival producer. Another was a duet by the Pogues that they tried several different females for years. They tried to nail this song down, finally, the producer’s wife got so fed up she walked into the vocal booth and did a perfect Take. Plus, we’ve got the story of the classic track that The King tried to sabotage in the studio. He treated it like a joke, but it ended up anchoring one of the highest-selling Christmas albums ever. There’s also Bruce Springsteen, who was tangled up in legal disputes, so he couldn't release any music. But his manager bootlegged a live Christmas recording and distributed it to radio stations—creating a major hit, but it couldn't be purchased for six years… But putting all the drama aside, I hope this episode will help you keep the good vibes going through the holiday season. Let’s do it.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coming up, one of the funniest song stories I’ve come across. Sammy Hagar was in the middle of an intimate moment with his then-wife. Ya, they were in the middle of doing it... when they were interrupted by the singer’s neighbor. His neighbor also happened to be the legendary guitarist in his band, Eddie Van Halen from the band of the same name...Van Halen... Eddie was up late, a bit tipsy, and his wife had kicked him out, but he had a no-brainer song idea that he wanted to write then and there. So Eddie interrupted the couple's session. They got a massive hit out of it, Finish What Ya Started, but the singer was in trouble with his wife. The story is next on Professor of Rock.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coming up a special full-length uncut interview with one of the great unheralded guitar heroes of rock history. One of my favorites, but not only that, he’s a legendary producer, songwriter and the right-hand man of the late great Tom Petty. Mike Campbell. Mike produced and co-wrote many of the Heartbreakers' classics as well as several big hits for Don Henley, including Boys of Summer. A song that has one of the most incredible stories of the rock era. Mike thought he had written one of his best songs, but when he brought it to Tom Petty, Tom rejected it as it didn’t fit the album they were creating, so producer Jimmy Iovine told Mike to take it to Don Henley for his second Solo Album. So Don came to Mike’s house.So when he played it for Don, Henley’s reaction made Mike feel like he thought it was a dud too. Henley left without a word, but then he called back about an hour later and told Mike he’d just written the best song of his career. Putting lyrics to Mike’s Music. There’s even more to it with the Track almost getting erased forever and thenTom Petty’s reaction after it became a hit. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg; there’s the story of all of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers hits on here, and Mike does it while smoking a bowl. It was such an amazing interview, I felt like Tom was there in spirit. Discussing the greatest hits from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers including Free Fallin' , Mary Jane's Last Dance, Refugee, American Girl, I Won't Back Down, Running Down a Dream and many more. Ya know, the more time that goes by in my life, the more Tom Petty moves up in my top artists list. He’s probably top 5 for me! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oh man, coming up on today, we're getting into a topic that we’ve never covered before. It’s the stories of musicians who vanished from public without a trace. I’m not talking about One hit wonders who never had another hit…I’m talking about actual missing persons… Amazingly, some of these artists would later be found after decades of having gone missing but the others remain unsolved. Some of these disappearances are completely unexplainable, and some of these musicians have been pronounced dead… because it’s the most likely scenario. We’ll tell the story of a beloved bassist from an iconic 80s band Loverboy who was swept overboard by a massive 25-foot wave off the coast of San Francisco. And the tale of legendary bandleader Glen Miller, whose plane disappeared over the English Channel. And then there’s the brilliant folk singer Connie Converse, who packed her Volkswagen and drove off into the sunset never to be heard from again. Some of these artists would leave nothing behind but their music. But did some of them fake their own disappearance? Some people think so. Get ready for seven incredible disappearing acts… including David Glasper from Breath who had hits with Hands to Heaven and How Can I Fall and Gerry Rafferty who's 70s hit Baker Street changed everything. Both vanished. NEXT on the Professor of Rock.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.