This Week in Music History for the week of 7-28

Summary

Taking a Walk: This Week in Music History (July 28 – August 3, 2025)
Hosted by Buzz Knight and Harry Jacobs

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Introduction

In this episode of the "Taking a Walk" Music History on Foot podcast, hosts Buzz Knight and Harry Jacobs delve into the significant events that shaped the music landscape during the week of July 28th through August 3rd. From legendary performances and iconic releases to pivotal moments that influenced artists' careers, Buzz and Harry offer insightful reflections complemented by personal anecdotes that bring music history to life.

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Major Events of the Week

1. July 28, 1966: Grateful Dead and Allman Brothers at Watkins Glen

The week kicks off with a nostalgic look back to July 28, 1966, when the Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers took the stage at Watkins Glen in New York. Buzz and Harry reminisce about the venue’s unique atmosphere, especially contrasting it with typical NASCAR tracks.

Harry Jacobs reflects, “I went to Watkins Glen for a NASCAR race, and I'm not a NASCAR person... Watkins Glen is a road course, so there's highs and lows, and they're kind of through the woods... it was loud and rambunctious and fun” (01:50).

Despite Harry not being an avid Dead fan, he acknowledges the significance of the Allman Brothers’ performance, highlighting the event's vibrant and crowded setting, which drew around 600,000 fans.

2. July 29, 1966: Bob Dylan’s Motorcycle Accident

On July 29, 1966, Bob Dylan was involved in a motorcycle accident in Woodstock, New York. This incident led Dylan to take a hiatus from public performances, marking a period of introspection and evolution in his career.

Buzz Knight comments on the mystery surrounding the event, stating, “Anything around Bob Dylan is shrouded in intense mystery” (03:23). The hosts discuss how such experiences often lead to profound changes in an artist's life and work.

3. July 29, 1974: Cass Elliot’s Passing

The hosts mourn the loss of Cass Elliot, famously known as Mama Cass of The Mamas & The Papas, who tragically died of a heart attack in London at the young age of 32 on July 29, 1974.

Harry Jacobs shares, “California Dreaming and some of the other music they did is just really wonderful music” (04:23), emphasizing Cass Elliot's enduring legacy and the affectionate memories she left behind in the music community.

4. August 1, 1965: The Beatles Release "Help!"

August 1, 1965, marks the UK release of The Beatles' iconic album "Help!", which later debuted in the US on August 13th. Buzz and Harry discuss the album's impact and their personal connections to its songs.

Harry Jacobs reminisces, “Ticket to Ride. There's a fun song I haven't heard in a million years” (05:28), highlighting the timeless appeal of The Beatles' music.

5. August 1, 1981: The Launch of MTV

One of the most transformative events in music history, the launch of MTV on August 1, 1981, fundamentally changed how music was consumed and promoted. Buzz and Harry explore MTV's influence on artists and the industry at large.

Buzz Knight notes, “It was completely insane really” (06:02), referring to the early days of MTV when viewers were captivated by continuous music videos.

Harry Jacobs adds, “Think about Dire Straits, they were not necessarily a pop kind of band and this made them... the video skyrocketed them” (07:08), illustrating how MTV provided platforms for diverse genres to reach broader audiences.

The hosts also reminisce about iconic MTV moments, such as the first video played, “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles, and the emergence of artists like Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty who leveraged MTV to enhance their visual storytelling.

6. August 2, 1975: Aerosmith’s "Sweet Emotion" Peaks on Billboard Hot 100

On August 2, 1975, Aerosmith's "Sweet Emotion" reached number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Buzz and Harry discuss the song’s lasting legacy and its place among classic rock favorites.

Harry Jacobs passionately states, “If I was on a desert island and only had access to five songs for the rest of my life, Sweet Emotion would be one” (10:00), underscoring the song's enduring popularity.

They also touch upon Aerosmith's continued relevance, with hints about Joe Perry considering one more show, highlighting the band's lasting appeal.

7. August 3, 1963: Beach Boys Release "Surfer Girl"

Closing the week's recap, Buzz and Harry highlight the release of the Beach Boys' "Surfer Girl" on August 3, 1963. They celebrate the album's contribution to the band's legacy and its influence on the surf rock genre.

Harry Jacobs shares his affinity, “I have a Beach Boys playlist on my phone. Yeah, I mean, I just, I love it” (11:52), reflecting the personal impact of their music on fans.

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Impact of MTV on the Music Industry

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the seismic shift MTV introduced to the music industry. The hosts explore how MTV not only promoted music through visuals but also broke down genre barriers, allowing a diverse array of artists to gain exposure.

Harry Jacobs observes, “MTV crossed those format borders in a way that changed everything” (08:20), emphasizing how the platform enabled varied musical styles to coexist and thrive.

They also discuss the personal connections listeners developed with MTV personalities, reminiscing about iconic VJs like Mark Goodman and Adam Curry, and how these figures added a human element to the music experience.

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Personal Anecdotes from the Hosts

Throughout the episode, Buzz and Harry interweave personal stories that add depth to the historical events discussed:

• Concert Memories: Harry recalls attending a NASCAR event and inadvertently experiencing the Watkins Glen concert atmosphere, despite not being a motorsport enthusiast. Buzz shares his memorable experience watching Aerosmith perform at a club in the Fenway area, highlighting the intimate settings that fostered strong connections between artists and fans.

• MTV Nostalgia: Both hosts express a sense of nostalgia for the early days of MTV, when music videos were a novel and captivating format. They reminisce about the formative influence MTV had on their understanding and appreciation of music visuals.

Harry Jacobs humorously recounts a near-forgotten concert at a Cambridge club, saying, “This is literally coming to me right now... I'm screaming, here's the name of the club” (11:36), showcasing the vivid memories that music can engrave in our minds.

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Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, Buzz and Harry reflect on the richness of the past week's music history, emphasizing the lasting impact of these events on today's musical landscape. From legendary performances and transformative industry shifts to heartfelt personal stories, the hosts encapsulate a week filled with pivotal moments that continue to resonate with music enthusiasts.

Buzz Knight concludes, “That is this week in music history for the week of July 28th through August 3rd. Another great week” (12:24), inviting listeners to appreciate the depth and continuity of music history.

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Closing Remarks

Thank you for joining Buzz Knight and Harry Jacobs on this journey through music history. Stay tuned for more episodes of "Taking a Walk" as they continue to explore the stories and legends that have shaped the world of music.

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Note: Advertisements and non-content segments have been omitted to focus solely on the informative and engaging discussions between the hosts.

Transcript

[Harry Jacobs]

Foreign.

[Buzz Knight]

Hi, I'm Buzz Knight, the host of the Taking a Walk podcast, Music History on Foot. And we're going to take a look at this week in music history for the week of July 28th. And we look over, and there he is over at the music history desk. Harry Jacobs. Welcome.

[Harry Jacobs]

Thanks, Buzz. Great to be here again. Happy to be here. Happy to be above ground.

[Buzz Knight]

That's the way, that's the way we roll.

[Harry Jacobs]

A lot of our, a lot of our peers, a lot of our people, you know, Ozzy recently, you know, gone. They're, they're, they're dropping like flies.

[Buzz Knight]

Buzz, don't like hearing these, these bad news events that occur around our music icons.

[Harry Jacobs]

No, don't, don't at all. Let's, let's do the week. This is the week of July 28th through the 3rd of August, obviously. And here we are, July 28th. The Grateful Dead, the band Allman Brothers, all performed at Watkins Glen in New York. You ever been up to Watkins Glenn? I think I, like, drove by at.

[Buzz Knight]

One time or something like that. And that event was one, that show, that Bill was one in particular that I really wanted to see, but never really had the opportunity. It sounded like it was outstanding.

[Harry Jacobs]

I, I, I've never seen a show there, and that does sound like a great. Minus the Dead. I was not never a huge Dead fan, but I love the band and the Allman Brothers. I'm a nut for, but I went to Watkins Glen for a NASCAR race, and I'm not a NASCAR person, so my first experience with NASCAR was Watkins Glen. Do you know the difference between Watkins Glen and like, you know, Talladega or one of the other raceways?

[Buzz Knight]

Couldn't, couldn't even venture a guess, Harry.

[Harry Jacobs]

Yeah, so it was the same thing for me, too. I had no idea, idea. Watkins Glen is a road course. Most courses are ovals. You know, they're just making left turns. They're literally going around in circles. Watkins Glen is a road course, so there's highs and lows, and they're going kind of through the woods and through, not through the woods, but just, you know, in this huge field and the roads carved out, and it's just a very different track than most NASCAR courses. And, and it was loud and rambunctious and fun, and it's a, it must have been a great spot for a concert.

[Buzz Knight]

I bet it was loud, rambunctious, fun, and smelly as all get out.

[Harry Jacobs]

Yeah. 600,000. Well, you know what? For both events, the NASCAR event was, there was nothing pretty about that and, and I'm sure 600,000 fans for. For the Dead and for the Band and for the Allman Brothers, probably an equally smelly group.

[Buzz Knight]

I wonder what the, the band members all felt about the gig. It was probably a bit of a.

[Harry Jacobs]

Message in the middle. Listen, it's in the middle of nowhere also, right? So they're schlepping from, you know, Ithaca or Rochester or some. Somewhere in the middle of nowhere.

[Buzz Knight]

So there we go. Another Rochester mention.

[Harry Jacobs]

There you go. I Love my Rochester. July 29, 1966, Bob Dylan was in a motorcycle accident. Speaking of. Of New York. At Woodstock. In Woodstock. Not at Woodstock, but, you know, in Woodstock. And this caused him to take a little bit of a breather from public performances. Obviously a motorcycle wreck will do that for you.

[Buzz Knight]

There was always a lot of unknown stories behind that story. We never, I think still to this day, I don't know if we ever got the complete story on what really happened. Because as you know, and as the audience knows, anything around Bob Dylan is shrouded in intense mystery.

[Harry Jacobs]

Yeah, this was a, you know, who knows if we'll ever, you know, actually hear the story. I've not ever heard him talk about it, you know, ever.

[Buzz Knight]

No, he's not going to now.

[Harry Jacobs]

Yeah, he may not remember it now at 80. I'm teasing. I think we listen, we kid because we love.

[Buzz Knight]

I bet he remembers every stitch of what he's forgotten.

[Harry Jacobs]

Listen, a motorcycle accident I would imagine is not a thing you forget. And I'm a 38 year motorcycle rider and. And I would be able to tell you if I was ever in one of knock on wood. So anyway, this changed his career trajectory and it made him a little bit more of an introspective man, I would imagine. Death experience, near death experience will do that to you.

[Buzz Knight]

It will do it.

[Harry Jacobs]

July 29, 1974, Cass Elliot, Mama Cass of the Mamas and the Papas died of a heart attack in London. She was just 32 years old. You know, she was this group, you know, when we were in rock radio, this was kind of a group that you looked at and went kind of schlocky adult contemporary. We listen to it now with a new appreciation. You know, California Dreaming and some of the other music they did is just really wonderful music.

[Buzz Knight]

And by all accounts too, she was just beloved around the music community. Everybody loved hanging around with her, collaborating with her, loved her as a person. It was a tremendous loss.

[Harry Jacobs]

August 1, 1965, the Beatles released Help. We could never get through one of these episodes without a Beatles item and was released in the UK, followed in the US on August 13th. Help. Ticket to Ride. Yesterday when I was reading this before we went on, I thought, oh, Ticket to Ride. There's a fun song I haven't heard in a million years.

[Buzz Knight]

No, everything off of it is fantastic. And you know, we know every one of these. We do. We will have the Beatles somehow coming up.

[Harry Jacobs]

Yeah, no, no question about this. And a big day for music. In 1981, MTV launched in the US and this changed everything for music in, in so many ways. Stones. Who? Def Leppard, Aerosmith, Dire Straits. I mean, think about, you know, what happened to music after MTV started.

[Buzz Knight]

And we were just fixated on just watching it hours and hours and hours without ending. It was like a fascination in those early days and weeks of, of what MTV all about. It was completely insane really.

[Harry Jacobs]

Well, there were were bands that were impacted in such a kind of a game changing way. Bands like Aerosmith that really got a second life as a result of mtv. Right? Oh, no, think about it. They were in the toilet, you know, at that point.

[Buzz Knight]

And there were bands that would not have maybe had a life if it wasn't for MTV either.

[Harry Jacobs]

Yeah, think about other bands that, that got recognition that they probably wouldn't have gotten to that audience at that point. You know, Dire Straits, obviously, money for Nothing. They were not necessarily a pop kind of band and this made them. Obviously the song was huge money for nothing. But, but the video skyrocketed them.

[Buzz Knight]

Men Without Hats, Safety Dance.

[Harry Jacobs]

Safety Dance. And what was the first song? Remember the first video they played?

[Buzz Knight]

Oh, the first one, it was Video. Video Killed the Radio Star. By the Buggles.

[Harry Jacobs]

Yep, by the Buggles, Yeah. You know, Stones and, and all these people participated in this, in, you know, they were kind of forced to in a way. A lot of people went kicking and screaming, right. There were a lot of people that, that didn't want to play ball, didn't want to do this.

[Buzz Knight]

And then they eventually came around to it, you know.

[Harry Jacobs]

Yeah, you think, you know, we talk, you know, a lot about Bruce, but. But one of my memories is that in 84, when Born in the USA came out all the videos that, that he participated in with his own songs. You know, I'm on Fire, being the Mechanic, you know, Glory Days, you know, taking the mound at, you know, what was probably a Little League, you know, ballpark. And all the videos that he ended up making as a, as a result of this, the thematic ones were really interesting and are still interesting to me to watch. Not Just Bruce's, but. But others as well.

[Buzz Knight]

Petty was a great one, too, who really found a different kind of vision.

[Harry Jacobs]

And probably arguably a different audience too. You know, at that point, you think this. If you think about MTV from a format perspective and buzz and I have history in the radio business, and a radio station wouldn't necessarily play something by the Sugar Hill Gang and the Rolling Stones and Aerosmith or Laura Brannigan or, you know, whatever, all on the same radio station. MTV crossed those formatic borders in a way that changed everything.

[Buzz Knight]

No doubt. For sure, they got away with it. And it was just because we were fixated on, you know, just the often brilliant design of these videos, those VJs.

[Harry Jacobs]

We all kind of developed our own little relationships with. You have a relationship. You connected with Mark Goodman at one point. I don't know that we're going to talk about that story, but you know, those people, you know, Nina and who is the blonde kid who escapes my memory?

[Buzz Knight]

Adam Curry.

[Harry Jacobs]

No, it was not Adam Curry. It was.

[Buzz Knight]

Was that the founder podcast, I believe, too. Okay, well, we'll have to check. I believe he. Adam gets. Should get a lot of credit around podcasting, maybe as one of the true founders.

[Harry Jacobs]

Very interesting. Anyway, August 1, 1981, MTV and it just changed everything. And now I don't think they play music videos at all. That's right. I can't even. I don't have cable tv, so I don't even know where to find it other than online.

[Buzz Knight]

Same here.

[Harry Jacobs]

August 2nd, 1975. Speaking of Aerosmith, Sweet Emotion peaked at number 36 in the Billboard Hot 100. This goes down in my list in the top five songs, classic rock songs that, you know, if I was on a desert island and only had access to five songs for the rest of my life, Sweet Emotion would be one.

[Buzz Knight]

Of those song and still sounds amazing when you crank it up on the radio.

[Harry Jacobs]

Yeah. You think they're gonna play again? There's talk Joe Perry was talking about maybe one more show.

[Buzz Knight]

I think so.

[Harry Jacobs]

Yeah.

[Buzz Knight]

I could see it.

[Harry Jacobs]

You know, being Boston guys, we were spoiled by some of the shows and some of the extra stuff they did around town. Were you at that show where they played on the train on Boylston Street?

[Buzz Knight]

No, I wasn't. My most memorable show that was kind of a showcase was the Mama Kin stuff. When they were opening up, you know, the club, you know, in the Fenway area, you.

[Harry Jacobs]

This is very funny. This is literally coming to me right now. Didn't we see them? Not at Mama Kin, but didn't we see them at a club in Cambridge somewhere downstairs. I remember like having a couple of this has got to date us. A couple of Red Dog bottle beers in my hand and we were downstairs and there might have been 300 people in the room. Do you remember that? Was that you and I?

[Buzz Knight]

Yeah, definitely. And the club is briefly escaping me. And we'll stop taping and then it'll come back to us. Or we could edit it in and go.

[Harry Jacobs]

It was. Yeah, I'd rather, I'd rather leave it be and let it do what it normally does in these cases where it comes to us in the middle of the night and causes some sort of night terror. And I'm screaming, I'm screaming, here's the name of the club.

[Buzz Knight]

So let's do anything. Let's do that. Because it was a great show.

[Harry Jacobs]

Yeah, it was great. Just. And we were so close and it was just, man, what a way to see those guys. So, yeah. Last story for the week. August 3, 1963, Beach Boys released Surfer Girl. So much great music and I have a Beach Boys playlist on my phone.

[Buzz Knight]

Oh, nice.

[Harry Jacobs]

Yeah, I mean, I just, I love it. Love them. So good. Yeah, there you go. That is this week in music history for the week of July 28th through August 3rd. Another great week.

[Buzz Knight]

Great. Well, thank you Harry Jacobs for this look at this week in music history. And thank you to all of you for checking out the Taking a Walk podcast, part of the iHeart podcast network.

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[Buzz Knight]

Ah, come on.

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[Harry Jacobs]

This thing is ancient.

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