This Week in Music History for the week of 8-18.

Summary

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Takin' a Walk: This Week in Music History (Aug 18–24)

Podcast: takin' a walk
Host: Buzz Knight
Guest/Contributor: Harry Jacobs
Episode Date: August 18, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode of "takin' a walk" is a special edition focusing on pivotal moments in music history that occurred during the week of August 18th to August 24th. Host Buzz Knight is joined by music history expert Harry Jacobs for a lighthearted, nostalgia-packed exploration of legendary performances, landmark recordings, and cultural milestones spanning the 1960s through the 1990s. The episode is rich with anecdotes, personal reminiscences, and insightful banter examining not only the artists’ musical contributions but also their lasting cultural impact.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Legacy of Woodstock & Hendrix’s Star-Spangled Banner

Timestamp: 01:56–03:15

• Woodstock’s Final Day (Aug 18, 1969):
  Harry opens with Jimi Hendrix's electric performance of the Star-Spangled Banner, describing it as “a legendary version, a rippen version...audacious for him to do that” (02:18).
  • “Those that had their senses at that moment certainly had those senses really firing on all cylinders witnessing that.” — Buzz (02:28)
• Influence: Set a precedent for guitar renditions of the anthem; cited Steve Vai and others who followed suit.

The Police: Pioneers of New Wave

Timestamp: 03:16–05:04

• Police Begin Recording ‘Outlandos d’Amour’ (Aug 18, 1977):
  Discussion about genre fluidity; Police initially slotted in “new wave” more than traditional rock.
  • “Now to this day, you hear a song like ‘Roxanne’ either on a classic hits station, a classic rock station, adult contemporary station...” — Buzz (04:22)
• Favorite Pop Culture Reference:
  Harry recalls a memorable ‘Roxanne’ scene from the film “48 Hours.”

The Cobain Family and the Burdens of Fame

Timestamp: 05:06–06:21

• Kurt Cobain & Courtney Love Welcome Frances Bean (1992):
  Speculation about Frances’ life and relatively low media profile compared to her parents.
  • “All I know is she, you know, I say, thankfully has been kept out of the limelight, it appears.” — Buzz (05:44)
• Courtney Love's physical presence and a backstage memory shared by Harry.

John Lennon: Musical Farewells & Legal Struggles

Timestamp: 06:21–07:07, 14:16–15:05

• Lennon Begins Recording 'Double Fantasy' (Aug 19, 1980):
  Praised for its beauty and bittersweet significance as his final album.
  • “The beauty of that whole final album and then the sadness that obviously we would all live through to this day.” — Buzz (06:41)
• Lennon Testifies on Wiretapping (Aug 23, 1974):
  Harry and Buzz agree government surveillance was likely real but may have been “amped up by...paranoia, post-Nixon” (14:55).

The Beatles: U.S. Arrival & Studio Farewells

Timestamp: 07:07–08:21, 12:10–12:22

• Beatles Start First U.S. Tour (Aug 1964) & Final Studio Recording (Aug 20, 1969):
  Milestones juxtaposed with nostalgia and sadness—marking both the Beatles’ grand entry and final collaboration.

The Commodores and Lionel Richie's Enduring Appeal

Timestamp: 07:24–08:05

• 'Three Times a Lady' Hits #1 (Aug 1978):
  Harry confesses his “sap” for sappy Commodores tunes.
  • “You gotta love Lionel…and he still plays those songs…he still embraces his Commodore history.” — Devin (07:50)

The Police, Again: Topping the Charts

Timestamp: 08:21–09:01

• ‘Every Breath You Take’ Tops Billboard (Aug 1983):
  Clever cultural crossover—song used in state police anti-DUI campaign ad.
  • "Every breath you take, every step you take, we'll be watching you." — Devin (08:55)

Metallica’s ‘Black Album’ and Rock Milestones

Timestamp: 09:01–09:12

• Metallica Release the Black Album (Aug 1991):
  Recognized as legendary, featuring “Enter Sandman.”

Classic Recordings: Patsy Cline & Gary Numan

Timestamp: 09:12–11:54

• Patsy Cline Records ‘Crazy’ (Aug 21, 1961), Written by Willie Nelson:
  Surprise at Nelson’s authorship.
• Gary Numan’s ‘Cars’ (Aug 21, 1979):
  Deemed “the epitome of a one hit wonder.”
  • Buzz expresses surprise it hasn’t been more heavily used in car commercials (09:37), leading into a lively on-air research session confirming its use in a 2002 Nissan ad and a Die Hard battery commercial.
  • "Gary Numan actually performed the song using the horns of 24 cars powered by a single battery. Crazy." — Devin (11:25)

Beatles’ Last Live Show & Elton John’s U.S. Debut

Timestamp: 11:54–12:41

• Beatles’ Last Concert at Shea Stadium (Aug 22, 1966):
  Personal anecdotes about not attending, and how brief those sets were.
• Elton John’s U.S. Debut at Troubadour (Aug 22, 1970):
  Buzz and Harry mention Elton and Billy Joel’s performances at the venue as the start of their friendly competition.

Sinead O’Connor’s SNL Protest & Sweetest Duet

Timestamp: 12:41–14:16

• O’Connor Refuses SNL Gig Over Anthem Rule (Aug 23, 1990):
  Unexpectedly, leads into Buzz’s strong recommendations for a Sinead O’Connor/Van Morrison duet on “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You,” calling it “one of the most authentic, beautiful and sweet performances” (13:54).

Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ Begins

Timestamp: 15:06–15:45

• Recording Begins (Aug 24, 1975):
  Recap of the innovative studio techniques and “operatic” qualities—referenced as depicted in the recent Queen biopic with Rami Malek.

Pearl Jam’s ‘Ten’ Released & Enduring Relevance

Timestamp: 15:45–16:09

• Pearl Jam Debut Album (Aug 1991):
  “We knew it was great, but...the continued relevancy of the band and Eddie [Vedder], pretty amazing.” — Buzz (15:52)

Tragic Endnote: Mark David Chapman Sentence

Timestamp: 16:09–16:40

• Sentencing for John Lennon’s Murder (Aug 24, 1981):
  Harry expresses discomfort ending the episode on such a “sad note.” Buzz agrees, adding, “It’s impossible to walk by that area in Central Park in the Dakota without thinking about that and thinking about John. It is hard to hear that and read that.” (16:24)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Hendrix at Woodstock:
  “It was considered audacious for him to do that...certainly had those senses really firing on all cylinders...” — Buzz (02:18)

• On Roxanne in Pop Culture:
  “My favorite version of Roxanne...is in the movie 48 Hours…He’s got the walkman on and he’s screaming, ‘Roxanne, you don’t have to put...’” — Devin (04:40)

• On Commodores/Lionel Richie:
  “You gotta love Lionel…he still embraces his Commodore history.” — Devin (07:50)

• On Beatles’ Legacy:
  “It’s impossible to walk by [the Dakota]...without thinking about that and thinking about John.” — Buzz (16:24)

• On Sinead O’Connor and Van Morrison SNL Performance:
  “It is one of the most authentic, beautiful and sweet performances of a great song.” — Buzz (13:54)

• On the Downbeat Finale:
  “I feel a sense of guilt for leaving us on this week with that as our final item...for those of you listening, I’m sorry to leave you on a sad note, but it is what it is. It happened.” — Devin (16:40)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Woodstock & Hendrix: 01:56–03:15
• Police/New Wave: 03:16–05:04
• Kurt/Courtney/Frances: 05:06–06:21
• John Lennon’s Double Fantasy: 06:21–07:07
• Commodores Moment: 07:24–08:05
• Final Beatles Studio Session: 08:05–08:21
• Police/‘Every Breath You Take’: 08:21–09:01
• Metallica’s Black Album: 09:01–09:12
• Patsy Cline & Gary Numan: 09:12–11:54
• Beatles' Shea Stadium & Elton John Debut: 11:54–12:41
• Sinead O’Connor's SNL Protest: 12:41–14:16
• Lennon’s Wiretap Lawsuit: 14:16–15:05
• Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody: 15:06–15:45
• Pearl Jam’s ‘Ten’: 15:45–16:09
• Mark David Chapman Sentence: 16:09–16:40

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Tone & Style

The conversation is friendly, knowledgeable, and marked by playful riffing, affectionate nostalgia, and a deep reverence for the artists covered. Harry and Buzz weave personal anecdotes and cultural context into the chronology, giving history a conversational and relatable lens.

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For listeners: This episode serves as a walk through the great peaks—and occasional valleys—of modern music history, stitched together with pop-culture color and touching moments of personal meaning for the hosts. If you love learning about the moments that shaped the soundtrack of the past half-century, this is a rewarding, heartwarming listen.

Transcript

[Buzz Knight]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Chase Sapphire Reserve Sponsor]

This episode of Taking a Walk is brought to you by Chase Sapphire Reserve. Whether I'm booking my next vacation or going to a concert, Chase Sapphire Reserve is my gateway to the world's most captivating destinations. When I use my Chase Sapphire Reserve card, I get eight times points on all the purchases I make through Chase Travel and even access to one of a kind experiences like music festivals and sports events. And that's not even mentioning how the card gets me into the Sapphire Lounge by the club at select airports nationwide. No matter where I'm walking, travel is more rewarding with Chase Sapphire Reserve. Discover [e-mail] Sapphire Reserve cards issued by J.P. morgan, Chase Bank, N.A. member FDIC subject to credit approval terms apply.

[Manny]

Why are TSA rules so confusing?

[Devin]

You got a hoodie on. Take it off.

[Manny]

I'm Manny.

[Buzz Knight]

I'm Noah.

[Devin]

This is Devin.

[Manny]

And we're best friends and journalists with a new podcast called no Such Thing where we get to the bottom of questions like that. Why are you screaming? I can't expect what to do now. If the rule was the same, go off on me. I deserve it.

[Buzz Knight]

You know, lock him up.

[Manny]

Listen to no Such thing on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Devin]

No Such Thing.

[Buzz Knight]

I'm Buzz Knight, the host of the Taking a Walk podcast.

[Chase Sapphire Reserve Sponsor]

And welcome to another look at this.

[Buzz Knight]

Week in music history. We are going to tackle the week of August 18th to the 24th and nobody better to tackle it than Harry Jacobs over at the music history desk. Hello, Harry.

[Devin]

Buzz. Happy to be here for another week. A great week. A lot going on.

[Buzz Knight]

We.

[Devin]

We begin on the 18th. In 1969, the final day of Woodstock happened and Jimi Hendrix played the Star Spangled Banner. A legendary version, a rippen version of the Star Spangled Banner. And you know, that was. I don't remember hearing anyone play it on guitar before that. Prior to that.

[Buzz Knight]

Do you?

[Devin]

At all?

[Buzz Knight]

No. And that was. It was a bit, you know, audacious. Yeah, it was considered audacious for him to do that. But I guarantee those that had their senses at the moment, that's a debatable question for all that were there having their senses. But those that had their senses at that moment certainly had those senses. Really firing on all cylinders witnessing that. I can't imagine that a lot of.

[Devin]

People copy Jimmy in a lot of different ways, but the Star Spangled Banner is one, you know, we saw. I think I saw the clip come up on Instagram of Steve Vai doing it at one point, but, you know, a bunch of other guys have. Have done it. And it's haunting and it's great and it. And it really is, you know, an attention getter. When you hear it, it's immediately recognizable.

[Buzz Knight]

Yep.

[Devin]

On August 18, 1977, the police began recording Outlandis d'.

[Buzz Knight]

Amore.

[Devin]

I don't know if I'm saying that right, but that's pretty good. Yeah, Roxanne was on that album.

[Buzz Knight]

You know what's funny thinking about that then. What were the Police considered, especially in the early days of their album releases? What. What genre did people kind of consider them?

[Devin]

This. You know, this was. This is interesting. I think this was around the time of punk or new wave. I think probably more new wave than traditional rock. Right? Yeah, it was different. Different sound for sure, but. But great. And I remember being, you know, I wasn't. We talked about this. I wasn't really a Sex Pistols punk kind of person, but this, you know, it straddled that line, I think.

[Buzz Knight]

Yeah, it was definitely considered new wave. And then just think about it, you know. Now to this day, you hear a song like Roxanne either on a classic hit station, a classic rock station, adult contemporary station. So, yeah, it's pretty funny to think about it.

[Devin]

My favorite version of Roxanne, maybe one of yours as well, is. Is in the movie 48 Hours where Reggie Hammond's sitting in his cell and Jack Cates, played by Nick Nolte, goes in to get him and he's got the walkman on and he's screaming, roxanne. You don't have to put. I wish I could do. I wish I could do the high voice. But that's my favorite rendition of Roxanne.

[Buzz Knight]

That's a good one.

[Devin]

That's good.

[Buzz Knight]

I remember that. Yeah, I love that.

[Devin]

1992, Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love became parents to Francis Bean Cobain.

[Buzz Knight]

And I have not heard. I don't know if you have the well being of Frances being Cobain. Do you know anything about her? To this day?

[Devin]

I don't know if she had the same struggles that her folks had. I don't. My knowledge of really of all three of them is. Is very limited. Was she someone that. That struggled to.

[Buzz Knight]

I don't know. All I know is she, you know, I say, thankfully has been kept out.

[Chase Sapphire Reserve Sponsor]

Of the limelight, it appears.

[Buzz Knight]

Right.

[Devin]

And her mother, I remember seeing her mother at an event somewhere and being shocked at how tall she was. I had no idea. It's one of those things that, you know, it catches you off guard. I remember, you know, probably wearing high heels or something. But she may be 510 or 511 or something. But I remember for whatever reason thinking she appears to be Tower M61. And I remember her walking by me thinking, oh, she's, she's. That's a lot of woman.

[Buzz Knight]

Wow.

[Devin]

Yeah, that's my memory of Courtney Love. I saw her and I. And I saw her perform that night and it was, you know, ridiculousness. August 19, 1980, John Lennon began recording his final album, Double Fantasy. This was such a great album. You know, Watching the Wheels and Watching the Wheels is one of my favorite songs.

[Buzz Knight]

Same. Same here. And the great Jack Douglas, the producer who was on a past taking a walk, did brilliant work with John and Yoko and the rest of the session players. But just the beauty of that whole final album and then the sadness that obviously we would all live through to this day.

[Devin]

1964, another piece of Beatles story dovetailing on that one. They began their first tour the US and. And their first date was San Francisco. Right in 1964, in 78. I gotta do this because, you know, I'm a. I'm a SAP for the sappy music.

[Buzz Knight]

Oh, don't start with me.

[Devin]

Now the Commodore is hit number one with Once, Twice, Three Times a Lady.

[Buzz Knight]

Harry.

[Devin]

I like that one. I like Brick House. I like Eat. I'm easy like Sunday morning.

[Buzz Knight]

I'm just teasing. Look, the Commodores were of a different flavor ilk. But you. And you gotta. You gotta love Lionel.

[Devin]

Oh yeah. Oh yeah. And he still plays those songs. If when he's playing live, he. He plays those songs Till he still embraces his Commodore history.

[Buzz Knight]

Never had the privilege of meet him. But those who have say he's just the way you would expect. He's just wonderful.

[Devin]

Yeah. August 20th, 1969. Another. Another Beatles story here. Buzz. Surprise, surprise. Beatles recorded together for the last time in the studio in 69.

[Buzz Knight]

And they probably like, that's it, we're done. That's it.

[Devin]

Yeah. That's sad. 1983, the police topped the Billboard charts. We go, we go again back to the Police. With every breath you take More, More.

[Buzz Knight]

Of that new way of music.

[Devin]

I remember being in Massachusetts somewhere and, and seeing an ad, maybe a full pager from the Massachusetts State Police. An anti DUI ad with a state trooper and a state police car and. And that song kind of being quoted in the ad.

[Buzz Knight]

Oh, wow.

[Devin]

Every breath youh take Every step you take we'll be watching you.

[Buzz Knight]

Pretty brilliant.

[Devin]

Absolutely. 1991, Metallica released the Black Album legendary. Enter Sandman.

[Buzz Knight]

Oh, speaking of brilliant. Yeah, absolutely. God.

[Devin]

August 21, 1961, Patsy Klein recorded Crazy, written by Willie Nelson. What a song.

[Buzz Knight]

Gotten that I had forgotten written by Willie, you know.

[Devin]

Yeah, yeah, two really two great songs. On, on, on this day on August 21st, you got crazy and then you got 1979. Speaking of new wave, Gary Newman's Cars. That's a catchy. That's a catchy number.

[Buzz Knight]

It sure is the epitome of a one hit wonder. But, but a great song. Surprised to my knowledge that it has never been used in a car commercial. That, you know, maybe it has and we. I don't know.

[Devin]

But listen, I'm going, I'm going down the Google rabbit hole in, in real time here to find out whether it was or wasn't used. I have a tough time believing that you can explain music licensing rights while I'm doing this and, and, and why it may not have been used.

[Buzz Knight]

Well, music licensing rights are the, the lifeblood for, you know, artists, publishers, everybody else who has their hands on some music. And ultimately, when commercials are made, radio commercials, TV commercials, some genius on Madison Avenue says, oh, wouldn't that be neat if cars is used for, for this fill in the blank, you know, automaker commercial. And I don't recall seeing it, but maybe it has. And I also wonder, you know, there's some of these lost 80s tours that are out there these days. I wonder if Gary Newman is still out occasionally showing up at a lost 80s tour of some type. But anyway, I gave you enough time to look. Did you find anything?

[Devin]

I did. And what do you know, what else is he playing besides cars on one of those tours? But yeah, so, so the, the answer to that is we did not have accurate information. It was used in a car commercial, in a Nissan commercial in 2002.

[Buzz Knight]

Okay.

[Devin]

Right. And was also used in a die hard battery commercial.

[Buzz Knight]

Okay.

[Devin]

As well. So yeah, it was you. I mean, it would, it's a, it's a natural kind of thing to, to be used. But 2002, a Nissan Altima commercial and then Die hard batteries.

[Buzz Knight]

We sit corrected Harry.

[Devin]

Yeah, there we go. It was. Gary Newman actually performed the song using the horns of 24 cars powered by a single battery. Crazy. Gary Newman did it for that commercial.

[Buzz Knight]

That is the epitome of a gearhead.

[Devin]

Yeah, there you go. August 22, 1966, Beatles played their last concert at Shea Stadium. I think I've asked you this before, but you, you never saw them, right?

[Buzz Knight]

I never saw him. Brothers did. My brothers Went to. To Shea. Not to that one. They went to the. Another one, previous one. All 32 minutes or whatever of that performance.

[Devin]

Crazy.

[Buzz Knight]

Yep.

[Devin]

In 1970, August 22nd, Elton John made his US debut playing at what famous Los Angeles club?

[Buzz Knight]

The iconic Troubadour.

[Devin]

Troubadour. He and Billy Joel ended up playing the same venue. Billy after Elton.

[Buzz Knight]

Pretty cool.

[Devin]

Again, that competition between Elton and Billy, that's. That's kind of where. Where it started right there at the beginning for both of them. August 23, 1990. Sinead O' Connor refused to perform on Saturday Night Live because of the national mandatory or the mandatory national anthem policy at Saturday Night Live. Are you aware of that?

[Buzz Knight]

No, not at all. But just yesterday, just because we had seen it previously and anybody who hasn't seen it. If you want to see one of the sweetest performances ever on Saturday Night Live, and it's one of the sweetest, that includes Sinead o'. Connor. And normally we don't associate sweet with this person, Van Morrison. Look for the version of have I told you lately that I love you? That Van does with Sinead. It's heartwarming and heartfelt and everything about the heart that you could ever imagine because she's a nervous wreck. You could tell she is so uncomfortable in her skin at that performance. And Van makes her comfortable. He kind of brings her over and sort of puts his arm around her, and then she starts smiling. It is one of the most authentic, beautiful and sweet performances of a great song.

[Devin]

You know, I've got to go back and look for that. You know, I do love that song. And, you know, I'm a fan of his. I, you know, I didn't really follow her, but I'll check that out.

[Buzz Knight]

It's wonderful.

[Devin]

It's a good endorsement. In 1974, John Lennon testified in court that the US government was tapping his phone. You think this was conspiracy stuff or you think it was real?

[Buzz Knight]

Well, I think it was real, but what I do think is it could have been a hint of added paranoia. That was just paranoia, but I think it was real. I think it was clear the, you know, enemies list and those that are spoken out. So I think. I think it was real, but maybe tamped up by, you know, some added.

[Devin]

Paranoia post Nick, listen, a lot of weed and post Nixon.

[Buzz Knight]

Right?

[Devin]

And a lot of that stuff was going on, you know, when Nixon was. Was still in power, so.

[Buzz Knight]

That's right, yeah.

[Devin]

August 24, 1975, Queen began recording Bohemian Rhapsody. You ever seen anything on the recording of this? You ever See how.

[Buzz Knight]

No, I have not how they did it.

[Devin]

It's, it's pretty fantastic. And it's, you know, it's outlined pretty well in the Queen movie that Rami Malik played Freddie Mercury. But it was an interesting process. That song is, I guess, operatic. Maybe the best way to.

[Buzz Knight]

Yeah.

[Devin]

To describe it.

[Buzz Knight]

Sure. I would, I would describe.

[Devin]

Way.

[Buzz Knight]

Yep.

[Devin]

But an interesting and, and complex and very different song from rock radio.

[Buzz Knight]

Yep.

[Devin]

1975, 1991, Pearl Jam released their album 10. Great, great record.

[Buzz Knight]

Oh my God, are you kidding? And I don't think in that moment, I mean, we knew it was great, but when you reflect on it, like, you know, all the years later and certainly the continued relevancy of the band and Eddie. Sure. Pretty amazing.

[Devin]

1981, Mark David Chapman was sentenced to 20 years to life for murdering John Lennon. I, I don't even like, I don't even like doing the story about it. Right. Just reading it, it's just, it's such an ick.

[Buzz Knight]

Total. Yeah. It's. It's impossible to walk by that area in Central park in the Dakota without thinking about that and thinking about John. It's, it is hard to, to, to, to hear that and read that. Yep.

[Devin]

I, I feel a sense of guilt for, for leaving us on this Week with that as our final item. I wasn't even thinking. Right. I would have, I would, I had to put it somewhere else or I would have skipped it, quite honestly. So for those of you listening, I'm sorry to leave you on a. On a sad note, but it is what it is. It happened. And, and that is this week in Music history for the week ending August 24th. Plus.

[Buzz Knight]

All right, well, this Week in Music history covers the good, the bad, the indifferent and the tragic and the ugly. So we gotta cover it. So thank you, Harry Jacobs, for another look at this week in music history and well, thank you for listening to the Taking a Walk podcast.

[Chase Sapphire Reserve Sponsor]

We are part of the iHeart podcast network. This episode of Taking a Walk is brought to you by Chase Sapphire Reserve. Whether I'm booking my next vacation or going to a concert, Chase Sapphire Reserve is my gateway to the world's most captivating destinations. When I use my Chase Sapphire Reserve card, I get eight times points on all the purchases I make through Chase Travel and even access to one of a kind experiences like music festivals and sports events. And that's not even mentioning how the card gets me into the Sapphire Lounge by the club at select airports nationwide. No matter where I'm walking, travel is more rewarding with Chase Sapphire Reserve. Discover [e-mail] Sapphire Reserve cards issued by JP Morgan Chase Bank, NA Member FDIC, subject to credit approval terms apply.

[Manny]

Why are TSA rules so confusing?

[Devin]

You got a hoodie on. Take it all.

[Manny]

I'm Manny.

[Buzz Knight]

I'm Noah.

[Devin]

This is Devin.

[Manny]

And we're best friends and journalists with a new podcast called no Such Thing, where we get to the bottom of questions like that. Why are you screaming? I can't expect. What to do now? If the rule was the same, go off on me. I deserve it.

[Buzz Knight]

You know?

[Devin]

Lock him up.

[Manny]

Listen to no Such thing on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Devin]

No Such Thing.

[Buzz Knight]

This is an iHeart podcast.