How Pat Benatar’s “We Belong” Became One of the ’80s Most Enduring Anthems
Today, we have a special episode about Pat Benatar's We Belong that has always been a favorite. One of the catchiest songs of the 80s. If you don’t feel great after listening to it, you may need to seek serious therapy. Just kidding. But seriously, it’s quintessential 80s with one of the best female rock voices shepherding it. Today, we have Neil Giraldo, the man who made it so catchy and undeniable. An iconic guitarist and producer who pulled off some crazy acrobatics to achieve the percussion that is the driving force of this song. Neil nearly moved space and time, having the kick drum suspended in the air, and made the drummer twist into a pretzel to get the perfect sound. He shares the story 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.
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Top 10 One-Hit Wonder Solo Acts from Famous Bands
Coming up, we’re cracking open a special edition of Bottled Lightning — and we’ve never done anything quite like this before. We’re counting down the Top 10 one-hit Wonders who left powerhouse bands to go it alone. These were musicians who already had it made in the shade, already had a ton of hits with their band, but when they went solo… it turns out lightning only struck once. And the stories are wild. Like Limahl who was FIRED from his band Kajagoogoo over the phone, right after he took them to #1, but later found redemption with one of the catchiest movie themes of the 80s: The Neverending Story. Or how about the sugary 70s pop star Frida, who got salty on her solo debut — thanks to producer Phil Collins, who sounded like he was drumming with sledgehammers. And then there’s the cool, unshakable voice behind some of power pop’s biggest hits: Benjamin Orr, who had no idea how to write lyrics. So he had his rookie songwriting girlfriend pen his one solo smash. We’ve got the most unforgettable “one and done” solo hits from artists that were larger than life… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.Try ZipRecruiter for Free. Go to https://www.ziprecruiter.com/rockSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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10 Rock Classics from 1976 That Never Hit the Top 40
Coming up, we’re diving into ten unforgettable rock classics from 1976 that never cracked the Hot 100’s Top 40 — songs you know by heart, but were never “hit singles.” And most of these are better than some of the biggest smash hits of their day. You’ll hear the story of a Robert Plant who was confined to a wheelchair after a serious car crash. And his band named the title Achilles Last Stand after his injury. Then there’s the tale of Boston's sonic genius Tom Scholz, who preferred working in his basement over the recording studio. So when his label tried to get him into the studio, he ran an elaborate scheme to trick them… using his bandmates as decoys. And we’ll unpack a tabloid takedown that Debbie Harry wrote to call out how women were chewed up by the media… and then her own label turned around and used her song to exploit her with a crass ad campaign. Killer stories, legendary tracks—NEXT on Professor of Rock.MyBookie: Get in on the action with MyBookie. Use our promo code ROCK and any bet you choose up to $500 is fully covered. Go to https://www.mybookie.ag/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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How Loss and Heartbreak Shaped The Pretenders’ ’80s Classic “Back on the Chain Gang”
Coming up next today's Chrissie Hynde went through the most trying time of her life. One day, she had to fire bassist Pete Farndon, one of the co-founders of her band, and then 2 days later, she faced the death of her right-hand man, James Honeyman-Scott, one of the greatest guitarists of his time. To top it all off, Chrissie was pregnant and going through a breakup with her iconic husband Ray Davies. Up next, the story of a true rock and roll warrior who rose from the ashes of losing her bandmates and created Back on the Chain Gang, a song that could make the most heartless person break down. It has become a beacon of the 80s. Coming up next the story of true rock and roll resilience, next on Professor of Rock.Thank you to our sponsor Squarespace, the easiest way to create an exceptional website, blog, portfolio, or online store. Try Squarespace free for 14 days and receive 10% off your first purchase with the Professor of Rock promo code: ROCKGet started at: https://www.squarespace.com/rock See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Tiny Tim’s Onstage Death and Other Shocking Stories of Rock’s Worst Acts
Coming up, we tell the incredible, outrageous stories of 5 acts that were LEGENDARY for being downright awful, and yet they managed to become cult heroes. Some people actually worshipped them, including some true legends of music. There’s the story of The Shaggs, 3 sisters who were forced to be a trio by their domineering father... because his mother had a dream that his daughters were going to be singing stars. They HATED every second of it and were so bad they got stuff thrown at them when they performed. But they became one of the most influential bands of their time. Then there was Lady Florence, the artist who was so bad, people actually paid top dollar just to make fun of her in concert. Plus Stardust Cowboy, a terrible novelty cowboy that inspired David Bowie to create Ziggy Stardust, as well as a shock singer, Tiny Tim, who actually died while performing his dreadful signature song. The 5 Worst Acts of the Rock Era 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.
The ultimate rock music history podcast for fans of the greatest era of music. If you’ve ever wondered about the true stories behind your favorite songs, or wanted to hear directly from the legends who made them, Professor of Rock is your new go-to podcast. Hosted by music historian and superfan Adam Reader, this show brings the golden era of music back to life with exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and deep dives into the songs that shaped our lives. This podcast uncovers how timeless tracks were made, the creative breakthroughs, the near-breakups, and the powerful moments that defined music history. Each episode is a masterclass in rock culture and nostalgia—whether it's a chart-topping ‘80s anthem, a one-hit wonder with a wild backstory, or a candid conversation with the legends themselves. Hear the Stories. Relive the Music. Only on Professor of Rock.
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