takin' a walk

Episode: This Week in Music History – November 10, 2025

Host: Buzz Knight
Co-Hosts: Harry Jacobs and an unnamed co-host
Theme: Revisiting and discussing iconic moments, albums, and artists from music history during the week of November 10–16, featuring stories, humor, and personal reflections.

Episode Overview

This episode of "takin' a walk" celebrates landmark events in music history that occurred between November 10 and November 16 across several decades. Hosts Buzz Knight, Harry Jacobs, and a co-host blend entertaining banter with insights, trivia, and personal recollections covering pivotal albums, cultural moments, and the legends behind them. The hosts reflect on the impact and stories behind albums and songs from Pink Floyd, Elton John, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Fleetwood Mac, Santana, Queen, Donna Summer, The Police, Bob Dylan, and more, while touching on figures like Fred Rogers.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

[03:33] Welcome & Week Intro

• Buzz Knight jokes about "conquering master music mayhem."
• Light-hearted discussion about business cards and obsolete tech, segueing into the week’s music milestones.

[04:46] Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975, UK #1)

• Context: Released after Syd Barrett’s departure; the title track was a meditation on absence, inspired by Barrett’s struggles.
• Story: The co-host recounts Syd Barrett unexpectedly visiting Pink Floyd during recording sessions. His changed appearance meant the band didn’t recognize him at first.
  • Quote:
    “He showed up during the sessions … the band members didn’t recognize him immediately. And it was just a weird thing like, hey … several years later, you show up at this session, gained an incredible amount of weight, didn’t look the same.” – Co-host [05:44]
• Discussion of the current divide between the David Gilmour and Roger Waters camps, mentioning Polly Samson (Gilmour's wife) and recent social media spats.
  • Quote:
    “Hell will freeze over before there’s any chance of those guys getting back together again.” – Buzz Knight [07:07]
• Candid remarks about Roger Waters’ controversies and the sad reality of band rifts.

[08:54] Elton John – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973, US #1)

• Highlights the massive sales of "Candle in the Wind" (re-recorded for Princess Diana’s funeral in '97), setting sales records and earning "diamond" certification.
  • Quote:
    “Elton performed the song at Princess Diana’s funeral and it sold … 660,000 copies in its first day … Elton said he would never play it again unless one of Diana’s kids asked him to.” – Co-host [09:23–10:29]

[10:32] Sesame Street Debut (1969)

• The co-host and Buzz reflect on growing up with PBS, “Mr. Rogers,” and "Sesame Street."
• Sharing a touching story about Fred Rogers’ graciousness at Pittsburgh airport.
  • Quote:
    “There in the middle of the airport … there was Fred Rogers … couldn’t have been someone looking, like, more grateful to be in the position that he was in and just nice to everybody and smiling and living with this aura.” – Buzz Knight [13:08]

[13:27] Bob Dylan – New Morning (1970)

• The hosts discuss Dylan’s shift toward introspection and domestic themes after the tumult of the Newport Folk Festival period.
• Buzz appreciates Dylan’s creative process and alternate takes.

[14:46] Donna Summer – MacArthur Park (1978, US #1)

• A nod to disco and a humorous anecdote involving a cake (referencing the song lyrics).
  • Quote:
    “Did you ever leave the cake out in the rain?” – Buzz Knight [15:10]

[16:23] Led Zeppelin IV (1971)

• Discussion on the album’s enduring popularity, 2.4 billion Spotify streams, and the imbalance in streaming revenue.
  • Quote:
    “Those that own the rights to that probably made about $450 from those streams.” – Buzz Knight [17:05]

[17:19] Jimi Hendrix – Electric Ladyland (1968)

• Brief appreciation for the album’s vibrant cover art and musical innovation.

[17:54] The Beatles – Rubber Soul (1965)

• Fond memories of classic tracks; personal favorites and reflections on the album’s influence:
  • Quote:
    “In My Life is a great goodbye song, right?” – Co-host [18:35]
    “One of the greatest songs ever.” – Buzz Knight [18:40]

[18:41] Santana – Abraxas (1970)

• Applauding Carlos Santana’s unique musicianship, approach to guitar, and consistently changing band lineup.

[19:27] Queen – Freddie Mercury’s Final Appearance (1991)

• Mercury’s public acknowledgment of his AIDS diagnosis and his death shortly after.
  • Quote:
    “On the ninth day, he said, I am sick. I do have AIDS. And on the next day, he did pass away. He kept that diagnosis private… It was only 45 years old. And tragedy, an incredible tragedy.” – Co-host [20:15–20:30]
• Some light teasing about Buzz’s age, threaded throughout the episode.

[21:00] Fleetwood Mac – Self-titled Album (1975)

• Celebrating "Rhiannon" and "Landslide," emphasizing Stevie Nicks’ artistry and the band’s complex internal dynamics.
• Noting rumors and clarifying that Lindsey Buckingham’s only current collaboration is with Mick Fleetwood for a separate project.
• Lighthearted reference to "Saturday Night Live’s" "What’s Up With That?" sketch.

[22:56] Elvis Presley – Film Debut (1956)

• Elvis’ acting career receives mixed reviews from the hosts; more praise for his charm and stage presence than his film work.

[23:56] John Lennon – “Whatever Gets You Through the Night” (1974)

• Trivia: Lennon’s only #1 solo single during his lifetime was not “Imagine,” but “Whatever Gets You Through the Night.”
  • Quote:
    “I thought [his only #1] was ‘Imagine’ too…Whatever Gets You Through the Night.” – Co-host [24:25]

[24:32] The Police – Ghost in the Machine (1981)

• Explaining the Drumeo online series where famous drummers (like Stewart Copeland) play other artists’ songs.
• Sharing their admiration for Sting and The Police’s crossover appeal.

[26:08] Harry Potter and Pop-Culture Phenomena

• The first Harry Potter movie premiered in 2001. Neither host was a personal fan, but they acknowledge its massive cultural impact.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “One of the things I’ve been enjoying about doing this … some of the factoids that are out there are really amazing.” – Co-host [04:46]
• “I was locked in a closet for part of my childhood.” (Buzz jokes about missing Mr. Rogers) – Buzz Knight [11:14]
• “Elton said he would never play it again unless one of Diana’s kids asked him to play it. So the song has been retired.” – Co-host [10:29]
• “Did you ever leave the cake out in the rain?” – Buzz Knight [15:10]
• “I think you could have been his father at this point, Buzz. I’m just saying, that’s all.” – Co-host, teasing about Buzz’s age [20:30]
• “What’s up with that? Yeah, Lindsay.” – Buzz Knight, on SNL’s parody of Lindsey Buckingham [22:40]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 03:33 – Episode introduction and weekly music history format
• 04:46 – Pink Floyd, “Wish You Were Here” and Syd Barrett story
• 08:54 – Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and “Candle in the Wind”
• 10:32 – Sesame Street and PBS era reflections
• 13:27 – Bob Dylan’s “New Morning” and artistic transformation
• 14:46 – Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park”
• 16:23 – Led Zeppelin IV’s enduring legacy
• 17:19 – Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Ladyland
• 17:54 – The Beatles’ Rubber Soul, track appreciation
• 18:41 – Santana, Abraxas era
• 19:27 – Freddie Mercury's final public appearance
• 21:00 – Fleetwood Mac’s 1975 album, band drama updates
• 22:56 – Elvis’s film debut, plus lively banter
• 23:56 – Lennon’s #1 single surprise
• 24:32 – The Police, Stewart Copeland & Drumeo
• 26:08 – Harry Potter’s cultural touchstone
• 26:40 – Recap and episode close

Episode Tone

Conversational, lively, often humorous, yet always grounded in music appreciation and historical insight. The blend of serious reverence for musical accomplishments and a willingness to poke fun at each other keeps the episode engaging for new and longtime listeners alike.

Summary for New Listeners

If you missed this episode, you missed a blend of storytelling, trivia, and personal anecdotes tied to music history’s most memorable moments from November 10–16. From the emotional backstory of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” and Elton John’s tribute to Princess Diana, through Fleetwood Mac’s ongoing interpersonal drama and the cultural legacy of PBS children’s shows, the hosts offer both deep-dive insights and plenty of laughs. Whether you’re a classic rock aficionado, a Beatles devotee, or someone who just loves music history, this episode is packed with stories and perspectives that bring the past—and its artists—vividly to life.