Professor of Rock

When the Eagles broke up in the early 80s, Don Henley created the perfect solo career from Dirty Laundry to the Boys of Summer to The Heart of the Matter and beyond, Don's vocals have unique and beautiful blend of warmth & sensitivity that exudes a distinct expression in the way he an interprets a song. As writer, he is like a prophet of our day his lyrics are symbolic and multidimensional, in...

Punk poet, Mike Ness of Social Distortion discusses his love for Johnny Cash with Professor of Rock. He tells the story behind covering the Man in Black's classic song "Ring of Fire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Steve Lukather and David Paich of Toto tell the hilarious story of working on the biggest selling album in the history of this planet, Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Including “The Girl Is Mine” with Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson. Outside of selling millions of records as Toto, Steve Lukather and David Paich have worked on hundreds of albums from the mid 70s and on that have sold in excess of ha...

Featuring exclusive commentary from Grammy Winner Richard Marx and Tony Lewis from the Outfield presenting 5 songs from the 90s that haven't been given their due. Despite a resurgence of 90s music in TV shows and movies of late as well as increased radio play and streaming, our five featured songs are less played, but deserve special recognition. Listen to them in the playlist below. Learn more ab...

Musically, the 90s were a very fruitful decade for Depeche Mode. In 1990, they truly conquered America with Violator which sold 4.5 million copies in the US and featured their first top ten hit with “Enjoy the Silence” followed by their first number one album in the states with Songs of Faith and Devotion and then after a long hiatus released Ultra in 97 that went to the top 5 in america and #1 in...

The thing about Jon Bon Jovi and his incredible band is the music they've created has always got your back. From "Livin' On A Prayer" and "You Give Love a Bad Name" to "Wanted Dead or Alive" and "It's My Life", their music gives us redemption and faith against all odds. Mostly it's music of hope, which is a powerful thing, especially in the times we live in. As Jon Bon Jovi says "You live for the...

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In the 80s, many new wave bands hit the top spot on the charts, Duran Duran, Berlin, the Human League, Aha, Blondie Culture Club etc. But how The Cure never did, is a head scratcher. They created so many luscious and hook laden classics, it was disarming. Songs like In-between days, the LoveCats, Boys Don't Cry, The Caterpillar, Let's Go To Bed and of course Just like Heaven, which in my opinion i...

Duran Duran were undeniable pin-up idols. Teenage girls plastered their walls with pictures of each member of the band for sure, but, the music of Duran Duran was NOT Tiger Beat/ bubble gum fare. Duran Duran actually wrote amazing songs, with heady lyrics that gave their music substance, and artistic credibility.. In each Duran Duran creation, there is some clever turn of phrase, or engrossing sub...

Little Richard was a trailblazer that boldly set the standard for rock vitality. He was THEE pioneer of soul & funk, and, arguably, the first rhythm and blues "crossover" artist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar tells the story of Van Halen’s 1988 top 5 hit: “When it’s Love" from their magnificent album 0U812. The song was a #1 hit on the rock charts. Written by Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Featuring exclusive commentary from Rick Springfield, Thompson Twins' Tom Bailey, and Loverboy frontman, Mike Reno, presenting 5 songs from the 80s that haven't been given their due. This is volume 3 of the Pop fix we covered earlier. Despite a resurgence of 80s music in TV shows and movies of late (think Stranger Things, Ready Player One, and Glow), as well as increased radio play and streaming,...

Lita Ford who played lead guitar in the all female band, the Runaways shares the story behind the Runaway's signature song “Cherry Bomb” written by Joan Jett and Kim Fowley. Sung by Cherie Currie, Cherry Bomb has influenced scores of bands since it’s release in 1976 and is a defining song of it’s time with it’s mixture of punk and hard rock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.c...

The Cars were different from the guitar-oriented rock bands of the late 70s, because they incorporated many different styles to make their music stand out- especially their use of synthesizers to blend with art rock & rockabilly influences. With the incredible vocal duo of Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr, as well as original members, Elliot Easton, Greg Hawkes, and David Robinson, the Cars were on...

Featuring exclusive commentary by JIM PETERIK, formerly of Survivor, INTRODUCING A new segment called VOX. Where we celebrate a great vocalist from the rock era. Our inaugural episode features a singer who rocked the 80s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do...

Featuring exclusive commentary from John Oates of Hall and Oates and Steve Kilbey of the Church, presenting 5 songs from the 80s that haven't been given their due. This is volume 2 of the Pop fix we covered earlier. Despite a resurgence of 80s music in TV shows and movies of late (think Stranger Things, Ready Player One, and Glow), as well as increased radio play and streaming, our five featured s...

Have you ever listened to an entire song with your eyes closed, and let the theater of your mind create an image, or an ambiance? I want you to try this while listening to Brenda Russell’s ‘Piano In the Dark” so you can capture the complete rapture of this sexy mysterious 80s slow jam treasure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19...

Bill’s distinguished baritone was an instrument of grace & charisma that gave a special relatability to his music. When you listen to Bill sing, you felt like he was specifically singing to you. You could identify with his songs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.co...

The First Depeche Mode song that I heard was People are People in 1984. Mostly because it was a #13 hit and I listened to Casey Kasem’s American top 40 religiously. I liked the song at the time but, it didn’t connect me to the band, it was sort of a blip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Noti...

Today I'm starting a new segment that I call Records of a Lost Art. Where we'll discuss a song or album that is truly under appreciated or even a concept or mainstay has disappeared from our culture, hence the title. Today I want to talk about something that was once a major staple of the music industry and each and every on of our lives: the greatest hit album. Learn more about your ad choices. V...

The stories behind the 1990 Hot 100 #1 Hits, featuring exclusive interview clips from Vanilla Ice and Janet Jackson producer Jimmy Jam. The background of the songs that went to the top of the charts in the first year of the 90s including Escapade by Janet Jackson, Ice, Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice, Blaze of Glory by Jon Bon Jovi, Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O'Connor and one that came close. Enjoy th...

There were so many great 80s New Wave singles from Depeche Mode, Yaz, The Smiths, New Order, The Cure, Thompson Twins, OMD, and more. What New Wave song should've been a number one hit? Check out our latest edition of #1 in our hearts to find out, featuring exclusive interview clips. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privac...

Celebrating the power of Summer, Donna Summer, one of the most influential artists of any era and my Top 5 Donna Summer Songs. Many know her as the Queen of Disco, but she was so much more than that, inspiring artists from every genre including New Wave, R&B, and Dance pop. Featuring appearences from Peter Hook formerly of New Order, Narada Michael Walden producer/songwriter behind some of Whi...

Artists Brian Wilson, Carlos Santana, Neal Schon of Journey, Joe Elliott of Def Leppard, Ann Willson of Heart, Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco, Johnny Mathis, Roger Mcguinn, Carlos Santana and more share their thoughts on harnessing the unspoken power of music. In times of adversity music has motivated us to rise above and overcome anything, from the War of 1812 to the Civil war, even the grea...

A tribute to the Gambler, Kenny Rogers, with insight from our interview with him on some of his greatest songs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .