Professor of Rock

So when I started doing this, I made a list of 15 artists I wanted to do an in-depth interview with before I leave this planet, and so far I’ve checked off about half my list with Sting, Brian Wilson, and a few others. Well, I just checked off another one... Coming up it’s the evolution of one of my favorite artists ever… Ya know, as a Gen-Xer coming of age in the 80s, there were only a dozen artists or bands that I got genuinely excited for when news of a new song or record would come out.
Back in the day, before social media, when such news came from MTV, the radio, or a rock magazine... back when a new album was truly an event. Many of you watching remember that indescribable feeling of waking up on Christmas morning. It felt like you were on top of the world. Well, today’s guest was one of those magical artists for me. When he first hit the mainstream in 1986 with his unique piano playing, especially on his song the Way It Is… The song became the most unlikely #1 hit of the 80s.
It didn’t sound like anything on 80s radio, I mean, it had no distinct chorus and was truly serious social commentary alongside the typical pop fare of 1986 and 1987, where Everybody was Wang Chunging and Walking like an Egyptian. But that’s why I fell in love with Bruce Hornsby’s music… he was always naturally zigging when the mainstream was zagging. And from there, he became one of my favorite artists because he has always been a true musical explorer. Well, I had a chance to talk to Bruce about his greatest songs and his new album, and it was amazing. From The Way It Is and Mandolin Rain to his collaborations with fellow artists that have pierced our souls like The End of the Innocence with Don Henley and I Can’t Make You Love Me with Bonnie Raitt.

Let’s get into it.
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Alright, I’ve gotten more requests for this band than any of the last couples years… and they are definitely one of the most under-appreciated bands in rock history. —a group that sold 10 million albums and became superstars in Europe. But back here in America, they are a well-kept secret. Their debut album accidentally became a massive import hit in Germany, selling 50,000 copies before anyone even knew what was happening. And the country has loved them ever since. For this one, we’re gonna count down my Top 3 picks from their catalog, which includes one song where the lead singer wasn’t hitting the vocals with enough intensity. So his producer set up the mic stand on a crossbeam 35 feet in the in air in an old barn. And he made this singer climb up there and record the track. Would this circus stunt bring out the best in this vocalist, or would it completely backfire?

We’ve got the story and even more good stuff coming up next on POR.
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In this episode from the vault, we’re going to go behind the Top 10 songs of this same week from the year 1984. But we’re not stopping there. After we count them down, we’re re-ranking them according to all-time streams and views, to find out which one has left the biggest mark on history. This time around we’ve got some of the greatest hits from the 80s all duking it out for that coveted #1 spot. But who will be the champion? Will it be Van Halen, Prince? Genesis, or maybe a rookie new wave band, a glam metal favorite, or even a one-hit wonder? It’s a nostalgic trip back in time.
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Today is a special countdown that proves that rock and roll never dies. As the 80s were ending, there were songs that didn’t ever become official hit songs, like AC/DC's Thunderstruck. It didn’t even make the Hot 100 charts, but it's now over 6 billion plays and has outperformed every number one hit of the year it came from.In fact it’s has 4 times as many streams as any hit from the year and it started out as a throwaway guitar exercise. Plus, the song World in My Eyes that Depeche Mode's frontman Dave Gahan had been recording with his band was a fast song, but he had to leave the studio for a few days, and while he was gone, the band took that fast song and slowed the temp down to a crawl… When he got back, he was livid, but once he started singing… the song became a classic. Then there was the La's who had a big hit, There She Goes, and a future that looked bright, but he threw it all away when he took their recorded album and 35 songs and destroyed the only master tape…Plus, the famous indie band The Sundays, which was climbing the charts and making a name for themselves, just up and disappeared for 30 years, and they’re still missing.

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Let's take it back with this 2021.

Up next the Godfather of Alternative rock Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction tells us the very personal story of one of the true standards of 1988, Jane Says. We solve the mystery of this very eerie and brilliant song and the woman who inspired the song and the band’s name. Plus he goes in depth on how he created the band’s seminal album cover. A bonafide Must see story behind the song next on Professor of Rock
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