Professor of Rock

So this was probably the most difficult episode I’ve ever made. But it’s one that I hope will provoke a real discussion… So one of the main reasons rock ’n’ roll hit so hard when it exploded in the ’50s was because… it wasn’t just music—it was rebellion. It shook off the stiff, clean-cut norm of the time and brought in something wild, loud, and full of swagger. The artists who lit the spark weren’t just entertainers—they were symbols of freedom, independence, and boldness. And that was magnetic, especially to a younger generation hungry for something that inspired them. The biggest stars didn’t just push boundaries—they dared people to react. Elvis Presley, with his swiveling hips and sneer, wasn’t just performing—he was shaking up an entire culture. And later, bands like The Beatles stirred controversy at nearly every turn, whether it was their long hair, their thought-provoking lyrics, or just the idea that they were bigger than pop music itself. Make no mistake about it, rock ’n’ roll was never meant to play it safe. That’s exactly WHY it mattered: Rock artists have always walked a fine line between rebellion and chaos, brilliance and self-destruction. It’s not just their music that had an edge—it was the way they lived: loud, unapologetic, and often dangerously close to the line society draws. But some crossed that line completely….See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s been such a crazy week as I’ve been fighting this music rights scam. At one point, I was about ready to give up hope. But I can’t believe how much good has come out of all of this. Right up front, I've got to say THANK YOU to this amazing community. You have flooded the comment section with love and support. And I’ve felt it. THANK YOU! I also want to thank Rick Beato, Justin Hawkins, and Rhett Schull for the videos they posted in response to what has been going on. I’m grateful not only for their kindness and encouragement but also for their thoughtful attention to this matter. Please take some time to watch Rick’s, Justin’s, and Rhett’s videos about this ongoing music rights scam. And be sure to support their channels as well. We’re all in this together.RICK BEATO VIDEO:    • How Major Labels Continue To SCAM YouTubers  JUSTIN HAWKINS VIDEO:    • How Do We Make This Work?  RHETT SHULL VIDEO:    • Beato Is Right...This Is a Scam  Also, if this content matters to you, make your voice heard! Tell these labels that you support YouTube creators. And that they have to stop threatening creators with fraudulent copyright claims, or they will lose your support. Start with the big three: Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony Music. You can email, call, or message them on social media. Thank you again!UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUPCorporate HQ: (310) 235‑4892Rights & Compliance: conflictsofinterest@umusic.comFacebook:   / universalmusicgroup  X: https://x.com/umgInstagram:   / universalmusicgroup  WARNER MUSIC GROUPCorporate HQ phone: (212) 275‑4000Legal Department: https://warner-music-group.pissedcons...Facebook:   / warnermusicgroup  X: https://x.com/warnermusicInstagram:   / warnermusic  SONY MUSICGeneral Contact Form: https://www.sonymusic.com/feedback/Facebook:   / sonymusic  X: https://x.com/sonymusicInstagram:   / sonymusic  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Don’t go anywhere. Next up: the most-watched episode in Professor of Rock history!FROM THE VAULT: Today, it’s an epic track from a throwaway album… Or at least that’s what the band called it. This song though, it set a new standard for how rock bands wrote and released singles in the 80s, and in the process became one of their signature hits. Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue… Unfortunately, it never got its due on the charts. In fact, because their label hated it and refused to promote it, Home Sweet Home Tanked …So to keep the song alive, the Motley Crue, including Vince Neil, Mick Marrs, Tommy Lee, and Nikki Sixx funded a music video out of their own pockets. And you know what? People went crazy for it. It set MTV records and was so popular the network pulled the plug on it to give other videos some screen time. They made up a rule??? How does that make any sense? This is a story you’re not gonna want to miss. So get ready, it’s coming up… 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.

Today's vault episode serves up one of Adam's favorite episodes. The collaborative genius of Lennon & McCartney created many of the most celebrated compositions ever recorded- including two heartfelt & evocative pieces of musical theater that demonstrated why The Beatles were the most impactful group of the Rock Era. The story of the powerful double-A side masterpiece- “Penny Lane” and “Strawberry Fields Forever” 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.

Alright, for this episode, we’re flipping the record over to uncover some of the greatest surprise hits of the rock era… That’s right, it’s the revenge of the B-sides. You know, the red-headed stepchildren of rock… songs that were’t good enough to make it onto an album…only good enough to back a hit single. Well, as you’ll see, today’s entries can more than hold their own. In fact, we’ve got a story about Queen's drummer Roger Taylor, who believed in his song so much he locked himself in a cupboard and refused to come out until the band agreed to pair it with Bohemian Rhapsody. And it paid off royally. Then there’s the break-up ballad Silver Springs that Stevie Nicks wrote for her band’s blockbuster album… but her bandmates axed it-2 decades later, it climbed the charts and became on of their most beloved tracks. Then there’s an obscure Pearl Jam B-side Yellow Ledbetter with lyrics that changed every time it was sung. Fans loved it so much, they campaigned to get it airplay, and in the process made it one of its band’s most iconic songs. Next, it’s the Top 10 B-sides that defied the doubters and made it big. 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.

Ya know, every now and again I do an interview and I have a pinch-me moment. All of a sudden, I have the realization that I’m talking to True Rock Royalty… somebody who laid the foundation and kicked open the door everyone is walking through right now. And today I’m excited to share one of those types of interviews. Michael Anthony is arguably the greatest backing vocalist and bassist in hard rock history. He was the standard in the 70s and 80s in a band that lit the world on fire: Van Halen. This band was so great, legendary bands were scared of them. Especially when Van Halen were rookies and opened for them on tour. Sometimes these iconic bands tried to sabotage them by messing with their equipment or lighting, but it didn’t matter; Van Halen was so electrifying that nothing could stop them. Michael Anthony tells the story of Van Halen's magnificent debut album that changed rock forever, and he has some hilarious stories about the charismatic ironman and atomic guitar hero Eddie Van Halen that you won’t believe… It’s 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.

🎸 On This Day in Rock History:In 1978, Def Leppard played their first-ever gig at Westfield School in Sheffield, setting the stage for their legendary career.In today’s VAULT episode, we dive into the unbelievable story behind their 1987 blockbuster album Hysteria — a masterpiece shaped by Joe Elliott, Steve Clark, Rick Savage, Rick Allen, and Phil Collen, with producer Mutt Lange.From tragedy to triumph, it’s a journey of persistence, sound innovation, and rock perfection.With exclusive commentary by Joe Elliott.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this day in rock history, Judas Priest released their eighth studio album, "Screaming For Vengeance," which went on to sell millions worldwide. To honor the one of the greatest metal bands of all time, check out this classic from 2021. Metal God Rob Halford explains why he wrote BREAKING THE LAW the metal hit that rocked MTV in the early 80s and the power behind their classic album British STEEL.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 taking the time machine to the 80s and going on a shopping spree at the record store. We're gonna track down the ten best albums of 1985 including the best song and best hidden gem from each of these masterpieces and along the way we get the Tear for Fears #1 hit Everybody Wants to Rule the World that has an inside joke that almost nobody got that references another song from the same album…later that song they joked about went to #1 and settled a stupid argument with a label exec. Then there’s the conversation guitarist Mark Knopfler heard at a store…The banter was so entertaining he wrote it down word for word, and it became the #1 hit Money For Nothing, but because he used a slur that was said in the real dialogue, it’s still censored on radio. Plus, the record by Kate Bush that took 37 years to hit #1, a song where famous outcast Morrissey got even with all of his bullies with a guitar riff that most shredders could never dream of. And the Heart song These Dreams that was rejected by multiple female icons, including Stevie Nicks, but then Nancy Wilson took up the challenge and made it Heart's first #1 hit! It's all 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, it was a year of changes in radio and pop culture. A year that many tout as one of the greatest in music history, and rock made a big comeback, with several hard rock legends having their best years ever. Including 2 tracks influenced by the fall of oppressive regimes: Wind of Change by The Scorpions and Right Here Right Now by Jesus Jones. Plus, a groundbreaking hit by PM Dawn that kicked off the sampling revolution and actually might be better than the classic it sampled. Plus Moneytalks from AC/DC, who stopped performing it after an ‘epic fail’ in concert and has now gone 35 years without playing it. And Silent Lucidity, a song that everyone thought was Pink Floyd’s best song in years. Only it wasn’t Pink Floyd. In fact, people even called Radio Stations and requested it as the new Pink Floyd, find out what song, and then there was Enter Sandman, the heaviest rock song to hit the charts, where the band recruited their producer's kid to repeat the Lord’s Prayer. It’s all next on POR.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.