This week in Music History 5-19

Summary

Detailed Summary of "takin' a walk" Podcast Episode: This Week in Music History 5-19

Release Date: May 19, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts (Buzz Knight)
Episode: This Week in Music History 5-19

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Overview

In this episode of the "takin' a walk" podcast, host Buzz Knight delves into significant events in music history that occurred during the week of May 19th. Joined by guest Harry Jacobs, the duo explores pivotal moments, influential artists, and enduring legacies that have shaped the musical landscape. The conversation seamlessly weaves through various genres and eras, providing listeners with insightful anecdotes and reflections on iconic figures in music.

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Favorite Titles and Branding in Music History

Buzz Knight opens the discussion by seeking Harry Jacobs' preference among several proposed titles for his role in the music history segment.

• [04:10] Buzz Knight: "Harry, what is your favorite of the terms that I have laid out for you? The maestro of all things music, I think, was the most recent one. I've gone through many different variations of it. Do you have a favorite that you'd like us to stick with?"

• [04:13] Harry Jacobs: "Music Maven? I kind of... I enjoy. I gotta give some thought to it."

After contemplating, Harry Jacobs emphasizes the importance of consistent branding:

• [04:19] Harry Jacobs: "Perception is reality. So if you keep using the same thing, people will think, oh, Harry Jacobs, he's the maven of all things music history or whatever."

Buzz Knight agrees on the potential for effective marketing and merchandise:

• [04:38] Buzz Knight: "Then I see all sorts of marketing ploys, merchandise. It really takes off."

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Key Events in Music History This Week

Linkin Park's "One More Light" and Chester Bennington's Legacy

The duo reflects on the release of Linkin Park's final album and the tragic passing of lead vocalist Chester Bennington.

• [04:44] Harry Jacobs: "May 19, 2017, Linkin Park released 'One More Light.' And that was their last album with Chester Bennington, who died, took his own life just a couple of months later on the 20th of July in 2017."

Buzz Knight expresses his sorrow:

• [05:01] Buzz Knight: "Awful, terrible story. Great band and just... I mean, just what a tortured story."

Harry Jacobs praises the band's musical diversity:

• [05:08] Harry Jacobs: "My God, a great sound for them. It was kind of an interesting. Not straight rock. It was almost kind of a rap or a pop, you know, had multiple elements in their music."

He further elaborates on the band's unique sound:

• [05:21] Harry Jacobs: "They did, yeah, like industrial sounding. Yeah, yeah, yeah."

Dusty Hill's Birthday and Passing

The conversation shifts to the legendary bassist Dusty Hill of ZZ Top.

• [06:57] Harry Jacobs: "Dusty Hill's birthday was May 19, and he passed away in July of 2021. He had a bunch of issues that you wouldn't think would have taken, taken someone's life. He had an issue with bursitis. He had an issue with hip. He had a hip surgery, but he passed away. What seemed to be pretty suddenly for us as ... I was so sad, you know, passing."

Harry Jacobs also highlights the continuity of the band:

• [07:48] Harry Jacobs: "Netflix released the documentary that they had a ZZ Top documentary. I think you can find it now on Amazon, which was really insightful but they did a lot. We learned a lot about all three of those guys that were in their homes. Dusty Hill is a monster Elvis fan. Had a monster collection of Elvis stuff and all the ZZ Top history. But it was quite a surprise. They, by the way, they didn't miss a beat. Elwood Francis, who's their guitar tech, literally stepped in the next night."

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Eric Clapton's Marriage to Pattie Boyd

Harry Jacobs recalls Eric Clapton's significant personal and professional milestone.

• [09:49] Harry Jacobs: "In 1979, on May 19th, Eric Clapton celebrated his marriage to Patty Boyd. And Pattie Boyd was a... was an important figure and led to the recording of one of Clapton's most famous songs."

Buzz Knight connects this event to Clapton's iconic work:

• [10:09] Buzz Knight: "You mean 'Layla'? Yeah, that's right."

Harry Jacobs discusses the personal turmoil surrounding the marriage:

• [10:26] Harry Jacobs: "Eric Clapton fell in love with Pattie Harrison, George Harrison's wife. They were the closest of friends at the time, which made it, you know, further awkward."

Buzz Knight comments on the aftermath:

• [10:42] Buzz Knight: "What did you think?"

Harry Jacobs responds candidly:

• [10:44] Harry Jacobs: "Yeah, completely messed up situation that he fell in love with his best friend's wife. The air was cleared. Clapton and Harrison got along after that, which is weird, but they celebrated their wedding in 1979 on May 19th with a whole bunch of great guests, Mick Jagger and a bunch of people. It was a musical type event."

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Additional Notable Events

1. Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock"

   • [11:59] Harry Jacobs: "In 1954, on May 20, Bill Haley released 'Rock Around the Clock.' This was the first rock song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. It's a big deal. Musically, it had a lot of different elements. Bill Haley was a country artist before he was playing with the Comets, but that song had elements of R&B, it had elements of country, and it has elements of swing. Musically, it's a really neat song to listen to. There's a lot of different stuff going on in it. And that song is, in ways, the first real rock song."

2. The Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black" and "Brown Sugar"

   • [12:52] Harry Jacobs: "Paint It Black hit number one in the UK and then later on in the US. But 'Paint It Black' is one of those songs when you hear it, like in a movie or something, you know something bad's gonna happen. It's completely haunting."
   • [13:13] Harry Jacobs: "On May 22, they released 'Brown Sugar.' And that was the first song on the Rolling Stones' record label, which they kept going until 1992 and they signed with Virgin."

3. Charlie Watts' Passing

   • [13:39] Harry Jacobs: "May 24, 2021, was the day that Charlie Watts passed. And that's our last story for the week. He died at 80. He had battled throat cancer in 2004, he had throat cancer and he beat it. They never released his cause of death in 2021. But you know, a sad day for rock and roll to lose Charlie Watts."
   • [14:07] Buzz Knight: "And one of the true gentlemen of rock and roll. Everyone always said Charlie was really more comfortable playing jazz rather than playing rock and roll, but what a great drummer, what a gentleman and what a terrible loss."
   • [14:22] Harry Jacobs: "You really appreciate his work as a drummer. If you see video of him playing, you know, non-Stones playing jazz or playing another style, you really can appreciate him as a drummer."

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Reflections and Conclusions

As the episode wraps up, Buzz Knight and Harry Jacobs reflect on the bittersweet nature of music history, acknowledging both the triumphs and tragedies that have shaped the industry.

• [14:36] Buzz Knight: "That's right. Yep."

• [14:37] Harry Jacobs: "And in fact, 'Paint It Black.' His drum licks during 'Paint It Black' were just amazing."

Buzz Knight concludes with a note of gratitude towards listeners:

• [14:47] Buzz Knight: "Well, thank you, Harry. And you know, it's sad with a lot of the passing of the great icons of music, but we do have to report on that just as much as we celebrate them. It's another look at this week in music history for the week of May 19th. And thanks for checking out the Taking a Walk podcast. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and are part of the iHeart Podcast Network."

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Notable Quotes

• Harry Jacobs [04:19]: "Perception is reality. So if you keep using the same thing, people will think, oh, Harry Jacobs, he's the maven of all things music history or whatever."

• Harry Jacobs [05:08]: "My God, a great sound for them. It was kind of an interesting. Not straight rock. It was almost kind of a rap or a pop, you know, had multiple elements in their music."

• Buzz Knight [05:01]: "Awful, terrible story. Great band and just... I mean, just what a tortured story."

• Harry Jacobs [10:26]: "Eric Clapton fell in love with Pattie Harrison, George Harrison's wife. They were the closest of friends at the time, which made it, you know, further awkward."

• Harry Jacobs [13:13]: "Paint It Black is one of those songs when you hear it, like in a movie or something, you know something bad's gonna happen. It's completely haunting."

• Harry Jacobs [17:39]: "The paper ceiling."

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Conclusion

This episode of "takin' a walk" offers a poignant exploration of pivotal moments in music history, highlighting the profound impacts of personal lives on artistic legacies. Through engaging dialogue and insightful commentary, Buzz Knight and Harry Jacobs honor the memories of legendary artists while celebrating their enduring contributions to the world of music. Whether reflecting on the groundbreaking sounds of Bill Haley or mourning the loss of Charlie Watts, the episode provides a comprehensive and heartfelt narrative that resonates with music enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

Transcript

[Host 1]

You're listening to an I Heart podcast.

[Dr. Dennis Black]

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[Holly Fry]

Explore the winding halls of historical true crime with Holly Fry and Maria Tremarchi, hosts of Criminalia, as they uncover curious cases from the past. The legend of the Highwayman suggests men dominated the field, but tell that to Lady Catherine Ferrers, known as the wicked lady who who terrorized England in the mid-1600s. Her legend persists nearly 400 years after her death. Highwaymen are in the hot seat this season. Find more crime and cocktails on Criminalia. Listen to criminalia on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Patia Eaton]

After a crime. You read the headlines. But do you know the story?

[Harry Jacobs]

At the time that I called the.

[Patia Eaton]

Police, he knew I had called them and left the house with a firear and was texting me that he was gonna use it. I'm Hannah Smith. And I'm Patia Eaton. We host the Knife, a podcast from the exactly right network that cuts to the heart of the story. Through in depth interviews and candid conversations, we'll bring you firsthand accounts of people living through the ripple effects of crime. Most of us don't know the legal process and because they always tell you this word, closure, I really wish people.

[Holly Fry]

Would stop using that word because there is no such thing as closure.

[Patia Eaton]

These are the scars that are left behind. These are the voices you haven't heard. New episodes every Thursday. Listen to the knife on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We asked parents who adopted teens to share their journey.

[Dr. Dennis Black]

We just kind of knew from the beginning that we were family.

[Patia Eaton]

They showcase a sense of love that.

[Harry Jacobs]

I never had before.

[Patia Eaton]

I mean, he's not only my parent, like, he's like my best friend.

[Dr. Dennis Black]

At the end of the day, it's all been worth it. I wouldn't change a thing about our lives.

[Patia Eaton]

Learn about adopting a teen from foster care. Visit adoptuskids.org to learn more. Brought to you by Adopt Us Kids, the U.S. department of Health and Human Services, and the Ad Council.

[Dr. Dennis Black]

I've seen a lot of stuff over 30 years. You know, some very despicable crime and things that are kind of tough to wrap your head around. And this ranks right up there in.

[Host 1]

The pantheon of Rhode island fraudsters.

[Patia Eaton]

I've always been told I'm a really good listener, Right. And I maximized that while I was lying.

[Host 1]

Listen to Deep Cover the Truth About Sarah on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Foreign. I'm the host of the Taking a Walk podcast. And we take a look at music history for the week of May 19th. And we go over to the music history desk to Harry Jacobs. Harry, what is your favorite of the terms that I have laid out for you? The maestro of all things music, I think, was the most recent one. I've gone through many different variations of it. Do you have a favorite that you'd like to us to stick with?

[Harry Jacobs]

Music Maven? I kind of. I enjoy. I gotta. I gotta give some thought to it.

[Host 1]

Right. Because repetition, you know, is a good thing if it's the right name and certainly if it's one you're happy with. So just. Or listeners can chime in as well.

[Harry Jacobs]

Perception is reality. So if you keep using the same thing, people will think, oh, Harry Jacobs, he's the maven of all things music history or whatever.

[Host 1]

Then I see all sorts of marketing ploys, merchandise. It really takes off.

[Harry Jacobs]

May 19, Buzz 2017, Lincoln park released one more light. And that was their last album with Chester Bennington, who died, took his own life just a couple months later on the 20th of July in 2017.

[Host 1]

Awful, terrible story. Great band and just. I mean, just what a tortured story.

[Harry Jacobs]

My God, a great sound for them. It was kind of an interesting. Not straight rock. It was almost kind of a. A rap or a pop, you know, had multiple elements in. In their music. They.

[Host 1]

They did, yeah, like industrial sounding. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Harry Jacobs]

Really, really neat. 1978. On May 19, Sultan's a swing was released. And it was initially a demo. And then they, they were playing it around town, got released on the radio, and then when they got their album deal, they re recorded it. So the early recordings were demo.

[Host 1]

I have to tell you a funny story about that. When that came out, I was programming in, in Connecticut at the station called I95. And we, around the release of that had decided we were going to do something called a Guitar Stars weekend, where it was highlighting, you know, various great guitarists. The great Mark Knoffler was doing a little press to promote, you know, the album release. And once the interview was over, I asked him if he would cut a little promo, saying, hi, I'm Mark Knopfler, and you're listening to a guitar star's Weekend. And he, he didn't want to do it. And I. And he was not like an ass about it. He just didn't want to do it. I said, it's okay. Well, why don't you want to do it? And he's. He said, because I don't consider myself a guitar star.

[Harry Jacobs]

Isn't that interesting?

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Harry Jacobs]

Did you, did you ask him to say, hi, this is Mark Knopfler, and whenever I'm traveling through Danbury, Connecticut, I'm listening to i95.

[Host 1]

I was at that point, I was too intimidated. I didn't want to piss him off any further. And I said, okay, you got it.

[Harry Jacobs]

I gotcha. You know, I can't listen, by the way, if I'm listening to that song and someone's around. There's a certain part of that song where I just have to say, stop the conversation right now. And I have to turn it up and go, oh. Mark's gonna say. And Harry doesn't mind if he doesn't make the scene. He's got a daytime job and he's doing all right. Love that. Dusty Hill's birthday was May 19, and he passed away in July of 2021. He had a bunch of issues that you, you wouldn't think would have taken. Taken someone's life. He had a, an issue with bursitis. He had an issue with hip. He had a hip surgery, but he passed away. What seemed to be pretty suddenly for.

[Host 1]

Us as f I I I, I wondered what else was going on there, but it was, it was. I was so sad, you know, passing.

[Harry Jacobs]

You know, Netflix released the documentary that they had a ZZ Top documentary. I think you can find it now on, on Amazon, which was really insightful but they, they did a lot. We learned a lot about all three of those guys that were in their homes. Dusty Hill is a monster Elvis fan. Had a monster collection of Elvis stuff and all the ZZ Top history. But it was quite a surprise. They, by the way, they didn't miss a beat. Elwood Francis, who's their guitar tech, literally stepped in the next night.

[Host 1]

Oh, wow.

[Harry Jacobs]

And Frank Beard and Billy and Elwood played the next night.

[Host 1]

Next night. Wow, that's interesting. You know, when John Entwistle passed away.

[Harry Jacobs]

Here in Vegas, by the way.

[Host 1]

Yep. You know, the. Who came out days later with a replacement and played like literally a couple.

[Harry Jacobs]

Days later when, you know, when things like this happen, it often surprises people that a band could go on or they could find someone who knows, you know, the music or whatever. But you look at what quickly. There are always studio guys that know how to play, right? There are always going to be, especially here. This happened in Vegas with Entwistle. They might have actually played here. I got a. That'll be an interesting fact to look at, but they might. They were here in Vegas when that happened and I think they may have. Listen, you can find somebody in any town that knows. That really knows music or studio musician that can look at a chart, especially with bass. I don't want to. I'm not cutting on the bass players, but what key are we in? You know, what are we doing? It is a surprise, I think, to people that. That bands can pick up, but. But not especially with. With bass. Not a huge surprise. Aerosmith did it, right. They used a. A tech. Yeah, a drum tech. And by the way, who's been used on in other acts too. There are a handful of guys that. That are like journeymen that can fill in like that. So.

[Host 1]

Yeah, almost like, you know, quality session people, you know.

[Harry Jacobs]

Yeah, Absolutely. Right. In 1979, on May 19th, Eric Clapton celebrated his marriage to Patty Boyd. And. And Patty Boyd was a. Was an important figure and. And led to the recording of. Of one of Clapton's most famous songs. Plus.

[Host 1]

You mean Leila? Yeah, that's right. Yeah.

[Harry Jacobs]

Big, big deal. Derek and the Dominoes.

[Host 1]

Patty is still, I think, in, you know, London area, whatever, and would be interesting to hear her take on. On everything now.

[Harry Jacobs]

You know, crazy. Such a crazy situation for those that aren't familiar with it, but Eric Clapton fell in love with Patty Harrison, George Harrison's wife. They were the closest of friends at the time, which made it, you know, further awkward.

[Host 1]

What did you think?

[Harry Jacobs]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Completely. EFFED. Up situation that he fell in love with his best friend's wife. The, you know, the air was cleared. Clapton and Harrison got along after that, which is weird, but they celebrated their wedding in 1979 on May 19th. And a whole bunch of great guests, Mick Jagger and a bunch of people. And it was a. It was a musical type event. You know, a bunch of. Bunch of those guys played parte May 20, another, you know, bit of sad news. I've actually got two pieces of sad news here for May 20th. Ray Manzarek, keyboardist from the Doors, died in Germany. He had a rare form of cancer in. In 2013. And it unfortunately took him. Took his Life. And in 2012, Robin Gibb from the Bee Gees died of colorectal cancer and then kidney and liver failure as well. Multiple complications from his cancer. No, I. I will. By the way, I admit it to the Donna Summer thing last week. I'm kind of a closet Bee Gees fan as well. I know you told me to be careful with this, but I'll come along.

[Host 1]

For the ride on the Bee Gees anytime.

[Harry Jacobs]

Night Fever. Staying alive. You should be dead.

[Host 1]

Come on. Yeah, go. No worries.

[Harry Jacobs]

In 1954, on May 20, Bill Hality released Rock around the Clock. This was the first rock song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. It's a big deal. Musically, it had a lot of different elements. Bill Haley was a country artist before he was playing with the. With the Comets, but that song had elements of R and B, it had elements of country, and it has elements of swing. Musically, it's a really neat song to. To listen to. There's a lot of different stuff going on in it. And that song is, in ways, the first real rock song.

[Host 1]

The beginning. That's right.

[Harry Jacobs]

And that song was used as the theme of Happy Days in the first couple of seasons before the Happy Days theme came along.

[Host 1]

I've forgotten that, but now I remember that. Yep.

[Harry Jacobs]

5-21-66, the stones released. Actually, it didn't release. It had been released. But Paint It Black hit number one in the UK and then later on in the US But Paint It Black is one of those songs when you hear it, like in a movie or something, you know something bad's gonna happen.

[Host 1]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Harry Jacobs]

It's just, it's. It's completely haunting. So that was 1966, another Stone story, actually, another two really, to follow in 71. On May. May 22, they released Brown Sugar. And that was the first. The first song on. On the Rolling Stones record label, which they kept going until 1992 and they signed with Virgin.

[Host 1]

Wow. I love them both so far. Painted Black and Brown sugar. Love them.

[Harry Jacobs]

May 24, 2021 was the day that Charlie Watts passed. And that's our last story for the week. He died at 80. He had battled throat cancer. 2004, he had throat cancer and he beat it. They never released his cause of death in 2021. But you know, a sad day for rock and roll to lose Charlie Watts.

[Host 1]

And one of the true gentlemen of rock and roll. Everyone always said Charlie was really more comfortable playing jazz rather than playing rock and roll, but what a great drummer, what a gentleman and what a terrible loss.

[Harry Jacobs]

You, you really appreciate his work as a drummer. If you see video of him playing, you know, non stones. Right. Playing jazz or playing another style, you really can appreciate, you know, him as a, as a drummer.

[Host 1]

That's right. Yep.

[Harry Jacobs]

And in fact, Paint It Black. His, his drum licks during Paint It Black were just amazing. Well, that's this week in music for the 19th, 25th May. That'll wrap it up for the week Buzz.

[Host 1]

Well, thank you, Harry. And you know, it's sad with a lot of the, the passing of the great icons of music, but we do have to report on that just as much as we celebrate their, their. Well, but it's another look at this week in music history for the week of May 19th. And thanks for checking out the Taking a Walk podcast. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and are part of the iHeart Podcast Network.

[Dr. Dennis Black]

Discover the life changing benefits of Meow greens for your cat. Ever see your cat slowing down or having health issues and wonder, what can I do to make them better? Well, my friend, add meow greens to your cat's food for 90 days and I guarantee you'll see changes that will amaze you. Greetings. I'm naturopathic doctor Dennis Black, inventor of Meow greens, and I invite you to take the Meow Greens 90 day challenge. In the first 30 days, you'll see shinier coats and increased energy. By day 60, your cat will have a stronger immune system, less shedding, improved joint function, all due to the live nutrients that you've added to their diet. And at 90 days, they're going to have better digestion, reduced inflammation, improve heart health, and you may even have reduced their cancer risk. Fetch a free Jumpstart trial bag for your cat today. Go to trymeowgreens.com use promo code try meow. That's try meow. You discover the shipping you don't have to change your cat's food to improve your cat's health. Just add a packet of Meow Greens.

[Holly Fry]

Explore the winding halls of historical true crime with Holly Fry and Maria Trimarchy, hosts of Criminalia, as they uncover curious cases from the past. The legend of the Highwayman suggests men dominated the field, but tell that to Lady Catherine Ferrers, known as the wicked lady who terrorized England in the mid-1600s. Her legend persists nearly 400 years after her death. Highwaymen are in the hot seat this season. Find more crime and cocktails on Criminalia. Listen to criminalia on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Patia Eaton]

A crime makes headlines. People talk about it for a few days. Then it disappears. But for the people left behind, their story is just beginning. But at night, we hear the garage opening and my son hears it. We freak out. Honestly, I didn't tell my son this, but I felt that was it. From the exactly right network, this is the Knife. Real stories of crime's ripple effects told by those who lived them. New episodes every Thursday. Listen to the knife on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Host 1]

I always had to be so good. No one could ignore me. Carve my path with data and drive. But some people only see who I am on paper.

[Harry Jacobs]

The paper ceiling.

[Host 1]

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[Dr. Dennis Black]

I've seen a lot of stuff over 30 years. You know, some very despicable crime and things that are kind of tough to wrap your head around. And this ranks right up there in.

[Host 1]

The pantheon of Rhode island fraudsters.

[Patia Eaton]

I've always been told I'm a really good listener, right? And I maximized that while I was lying.

[Host 1]

Listen to Deep Cover the Truth About Sarah on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. You're listening to an iHeart podcast.