takin’ a walk – This Week in Music History: Week of October 20th, 2025

Podcast: takin’ a walk (iHeartPodcasts)

Episode: This Week in Music History – Week of 10/20
Host: Buzz Knight
Guest: Harry Jacobs
Date: October 20, 2025

Overview

This episode of “takin’ a walk” dives into notable events in music history for the week of October 20th, with a special focus on the anniversary of pivotal moments in rock and the cultural impact of legendary artists. Host Buzz Knight and “maestro of music history” Harry Jacobs revisit the tragic Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash, the enduring mystique of Led Zeppelin’s “The Song Remains the Same,” the legacy of The Who’s Keith Moon, and the timely release of Bruce Springsteen’s highly anticipated film, “Deliver Me From Nowhere.”

The tone is conversational, rich in personal anecdotes, music geekery, and deep reverence for rock history.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Street Survivors” & The 1977 Plane Crash

[03:17–05:37]

• Anniversary Highlight: October 17, 1977 marked the release of Skynyrd’s “Street Survivors,” only days before the infamous October 20th plane crash that killed several band members, including frontman Ronnie Van Zant.
• Album Imagery: The album’s “flames” cover became eerily iconic following the crash.
• Impact: Buzz recalls the sense of shock at the time:

  “Three members of the band, including Ronnie Van Zandt, passed away in that horrific crash on October 20th in 1977. … The day that Southern rock died in a way.” (Buzz Knight, 05:37)

• Legacy: The hosts reflect on Skynyrd’s unique contribution to Southern rock, distinguishing them from contemporaries like The Allman Brothers.

2. Led Zeppelin’s “The Song Remains the Same” – Film and Band Mystique

[05:54–16:56]

• Movie Anniversary: The premiere of Led Zeppelin’s concert film “The Song Remains the Same” on October 20th, 1976.
• Impression on Youth:

  “Seeing that movie changed me in a way because it was scary as a 10-year-old kid, right? There was heavy duty stuff.” (Buzz Knight, 08:25)

• Beyond Just a Concert Film: The movie’s blend of concert footage and surreal mythological/fantasy vignettes for each member – Robert Plant as a hero, Jimmy Page as a mystic, John Bonham the tough, John Paul Jones the intellectual/“Masked Knight.”
• Personal Anecdotes: Buzz recounts seeing the movie as a child, watching with his young sister.
• Behind-the-Scenes Scandal: The $233,000 theft from the band’s hotel safe at the Drake during their Madison Square Garden shows, contextualized to $1.4 million today.
• Encouragement to Re-watch:

  “Go back and watch it again. It’s so well worth the watch. The music is just magnificent. But there’s so much that happens around it.” (Buzz Knight, 08:25)

Notable “Jock Tricks”—Radio Memories

[13:14–16:56]

• Stairway Split: DJs mixing the studio and live versions of “Stairway to Heaven” for dramatic effect.
• Phasing: Using two turntables to phase Led Zeppelin tracks for a “cosmic” sound.

  “It’s very cosmic sounding.” (Harry Jacobs, 16:26)

• **Fun banter about old radio stunts and their shared radio history.

3. The Who’s Keith Moon: Final Show/Legacy

[16:56–18:14]

• October 21, 1976: Marks Keith Moon’s last U.S. concert with The Who at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens.
• Drumming Style:

  “He played to Roger Daltrey’s vocal tracks. Didn’t play around them. Played to them. ...Totally different from the way anyone else plays drums.” (Buzz Knight, 17:28)

4. Other Music Milestones

[18:14–18:59]

• Led Zeppelin II: Released October 26, 1969; praised as a classic from “beginning to end.”
• Jimi Hendrix: “Hey Joe” recorded October 23, 1966; lauded as a debut “classic rock song.”

5. Bruce Springsteen & “Deliver Me From Nowhere” – The New Biopic and the Legacy of “Nebraska”

[18:59–34:00]

Movie Release & Timing

[18:59–19:45]

• Movie Promo: “Springsteen Deliver Me From Nowhere” (dir. Scott Cooper) comes out this week; hosts are excited (and grateful for the sponsor tie-in!).
• Springsteen Press Blitz:

  “You can’t go anywhere right now without seeing Bruce Springsteen somewhere. … He’s done more press for this than I think anything else.” (Buzz Knight, 19:26)

A Deep Dive into “Nebraska”

[19:45–27:43]

• Underdog Status: “Nebraska” was not a commercial juggernaut – crafted as “demos” on a four-track in a New Jersey house, it included songs later reworked for “Born in the USA.”
• Recording Process: Springsteen’s lone-wolf artistry, carrying the homemade cassette everywhere; hosts marvel at its intimacy and minimalism.
• Personal Connections: Buzz shares how “Born to Run” is the soundtrack of his life and tells a heartwarming story of being gifted a signed album after his wedding.
• Nebraska’s Stark Beauty: Both hosts revere the album’s raw sound and storytelling:

  “It’s so stark, but it’s so… I’ve been listening to it relentlessly... just can listen to that album through and through.” (Buzz Knight, 24:40)

The Band Version Controversy

• Unreleased Full-Band “Nebraska”:

  “I’m nervous about one thing, and that is they're releasing the full band version of it... I’m a little nervous to hear the band version of it. I want to, but I don't know.” (Buzz Knight, 27:19)

Bruce's Shifting Public Persona

[21:19–22:20]

• Discussion of Springsteen’s increased media presence, compared to his reclusive, mumbling '80s interviews:

  “Historically, he was just not one that wanted to talk... Now he seems to enjoy it.” (Buzz Knight, 22:07)

Cinema Connections: “The Indian Runner”

[28:14–29:18]

• Springsteen & Sean Penn: Penn, dating Springsteen’s sister, used “Highway Patrolman” as inspiration for his film “The Indian Runner.”
• Assignment for Listeners: Both hosts recommend the film, connecting its themes to “Nebraska.”

Pressure of Portraying Bruce

[29:31–31:54]

• On-Set Intensity: Jeremy Allen White stars as Bruce; Springsteen’s constant on-set presence.

  “It would be one thing to do the acting piece, but a whole other to pick up that Telecaster... while the guy that made those songs legendary is sitting 10 feet in front of you.” (Buzz Knight, 30:12)

• Admiration for White’s Commitment: Both remark on the daunting task and Jeremy’s gratitude for the opportunity.

Springsteen’s Artistic Process

• Relentless Perfectionism:

  “Bruce is notorious for torturing not only himself, but those around him... It’s every note, every saxophone solo with Clarence.” (Buzz Knight, 31:54)

• Stage Magic: Making perfection look effortless — “like he’s just taking a walk.” (Buzz Knight, 32:46)

6. Recap, Reflections & Friendship

[33:09–34:41]

• Full Circle: Both hosts reflect on the growth of the podcast and gratitude for the journey, now attracting major sponsors.
• Closing:

  “I love celebrating the music with you of Bruce. We’ve been part of it individually and together and we’ll continue to be. So thank you for that.” (Harry Jacobs, 34:00)

Memorable Quotes

• “This was the day that Southern rock died in a way.” – Buzz Knight, 05:37
• “Go back and watch it again. It’s not just a concert film. Make some comments on our Instagram… tell us what your perception of it is. I have gone into the rabbit hole of The Song Remains the Same.” – Buzz Knight, 12:00
• “He played to Roger Daltrey’s vocal tracks. Didn’t play around them. Played to them. Very unique...” – Buzz Knight, 17:28
• “[Nebraska is] so stark, but it’s so… I can listen to that album through and through. It’s always been one of my favorites.” – Buzz Knight, 24:40
• “If you ever got Bruce on this podcast... I’d be willing to bet he’d want to take a walk now with his dad.” – Buzz Knight, 25:46
• “Bruce is notorious for torturing not only himself, but those around him... It’s every note, every saxophone solo.” – Buzz Knight, 31:54
• “Making it look like he’s just taking a walk.” – Buzz Knight, 32:46

Noteworthy Timestamps

• 03:17 – Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Street Survivors” and crash anniversary
• 05:54 – Led Zeppelin “The Song Remains the Same” deep dive
• 13:14 – Radio jock stories: stairway mix and “phasing”
• 16:56 – Keith Moon’s last show and drumming legacy
• 18:14 – Led Zeppelin II and Hendrix’s “Hey Joe”
• 19:08 – Springsteen’s “Deliver Me From Nowhere” new film
• 21:19 – Bruce’s current press blitz and evolving public persona
• 24:40 – Personal impact of “Nebraska”
• 27:19 – Unreleased full band “Nebraska” and fan concerns
• 28:14 – Sean Penn’s “Indian Runner” and Springsteen
• 29:31 – Acting under Bruce’s watchful eye
• 31:54 – Springsteen’s tireless creative process
• 33:09 – Podcast full circle reflections and gratitude

Final Reflections

This episode fuses musical knowledge with heartfelt storytelling, balancing “music-history-on-foot” with the hosts’ personal journeys alongside these towering figures. From unforgettable tragedies to transformative records and the emotional resonance of Bruce Springsteen, Buzz and Harry celebrate the ways music etches itself into both personal life and broader history.

Listeners get both expert analysis and “fan’s heart” storytelling—perfect for anyone who not only loves music, but wants to understand the deep stories behind it.