takin' a walk – This Week in Music History (Week of August 25th)

Host: Buzz Knight
Guest: Harry Jacobs
Date: August 25, 2025
Podcast: takin' a walk (iHeartPodcasts)

Episode Overview

This episode of takin' a walk takes listeners on a lively stroll through iconic moments in music history for the week of August 25th to August 31st. Host Buzz Knight is joined by returning guest Harry Jacobs for an engaging back-and-forth covering legendary meetings, infamous tragedies, and the evolution of musical greats across several decades. The conversation is filled with personal anecdotes, expert perspectives, and reflections on the cultural importance of each event.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Beatles Meet Maharishi Mahesh Yogi – Meditation & Mindfulness

(02:37 – 03:17)

• Event: August 25, 1967 – The Beatles meet Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Wales, sparking their fascination with Transcendental Meditation.
• Insight: Meditation is described as a continuous practice. Buzz admits he wishes he meditated more:

  • "As they say, those that do, they refer to it as a practice, which means they're always practicing. And as somebody who needs to probably practice at a lot of things, I should get back to the practice." – Buzz Knight (02:55)

• Reflection: Recognizing the importance of mindfulness in both music and life.

2. Led Zeppelin Reunion: MTV Unplugged

(03:19 – 05:35)

• Event: August 1994 – Jimmy Page and Robert Plant reunite for an MTV Unplugged session.
• Discussion:
  • The legacy of Led Zeppelin post-Bonham and the rarity of reunions between Page and Plant after Live Aid.
  • Frustration over the difficulty of finding their Unplugged session on streaming platforms; YouTube is the best option.
  • Tracks highlighted: "No Quarter," "What Is and What Should Never Be," "Battle of Evermore," "Kashmir," "When the Levee Breaks," "The Rain Song."
  • Buzz plugs a forgotten but worthy collaboration:

    • "I'll tell you another thing to go look at and rediscover is Chris Robinson from the Black Crowes with Jimmy Page." – Buzz Knight (05:35)

3. Beatles Moments

(05:46 – 11:47)

• Hey Jude Released (06:05) – August 26, 1968.
  • Playful banter about Beatles trivia.
• Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Final Concert & Death (06:13) – August 27, 1990.
  • Somber reflection on the tragedy.

    • "What a loss too, too soon. Just. He would have still been creating amazing music, I guarantee." – Buzz Knight (06:41)

• Beatles Meet Elvis (06:56) – August 27, 1965.
  • Wonder at the meeting’s mutual awe and the lack of details or pictures.

    • "I guarantee it was the Beatles in awe. Yeah. And I guarantee it was Elvis in awe." – Buzz Knight (07:17)

• U2’s First Record Deal (07:45) – August 1979.
  • U2’s rise linked to Boston DJ Carter Allen, with personal anecdotes and the power of ‘80s rock radio.

    • "This was the power of radio back in the early 80s where a radio station like BCN would play something and rock radio around the country would follow it." – Harry Jacobs (08:13)

  • Mention of Bono giving Carter Allen a shout-out at Gillette Stadium; discussion of Carter’s legendary status.

4. Bob Dylan and The Beatles: Marijuana Myth

(09:55 – 10:26)

• Event: August 28, 1964 – Bob Dylan allegedly introduces the Beatles to marijuana.
• Skepticism:
  • Buzz and Harry question the accuracy of this “fact” and crave corroborative evidence.

    • "How do we know though, that it was on that day and that it wasn't a week before or a week after...? This is a fact that we can't veriz. You know what? I watch a lot of crime TV. This cannot be corroborated." – Harry Jacobs (10:20)

5. MTV Video Music Awards & Queen in Leeds

(10:27 – 10:55)

• August 28, 1981 – First MTV Video Music Awards air.
  • Nods to the cultural importance of MTV in the '80s.
• August 29, 1982 – Queen plays to 130,000 in Leeds.
  • Regret for never seeing Queen live with Freddie Mercury.

6. Michael Jackson and More Beatles: Endings and Beginnings

(10:55 – 12:08)

• August 29, 1958 – Michael Jackson’s birthday.
  • Humorous aside on his father’s identity — not the “Look Sharp/Sunday Papers” Joe Jackson.
• August 29, 1966 – Beatles’ final concert at Candlestick Park.
  • Buzz wrongly guesses acoustics; Harry points out it was also site of their first US concert.

7. Def Leppard’s “Hysteria” & Isle of Wight Festival

(12:47 – 13:19)

• August 1987 – Def Leppard’s “Hysteria” enters US charts.
  • Buzz: “A masterpiece for them, really.” (12:05)
• August 30, 1969 – The Rolling Stones headline Isle of Wight Festival.

8. Billy Joel Documentary & The Boston Garden Farewell

(13:19 – 18:00)

• Event: August 30, 1993 – Billy Joel’s final show at the old Boston Garden.
  • Reminiscence on the physical space and shared Boston memories.
• Documentary Review:
  • Buzz and Harry exchange impressions of the recent Billy Joel documentary.
    • Takeaway 1: Billy’s deep, lifelong love for classical music shapes his pop work; he even demonstrates this while playing “My Life” in a classical style.

      • "He starts playing My Life as a classical piece. And you go, oh boy, he's really, really a great pianist." – Harry Jacobs (15:53)

    • Takeaway 2: Revelations about Billy’s personal and financial struggles, including near-bankruptcy at the hands of his former brother-in-law.
    • Takeaway 3: Insight into Billy’s complicated feelings toward Elton John.

      • "He kind of takes a shot at Elton about, you know, he's not really, he's a five finger piano player... For Billy Joel to go, he's not really, know that great a piano player." – Harry Jacobs (16:01)

    • Takeaway 4: Billy’s Jewish family history — their escape from Nazi Germany and the haunting fate of their factory.

      • "They took that factory, a Jewish factory, and they turned it into the place where... the prison uniforms were made for... those going to the concentration camps. Just horrific." – Harry Jacobs (16:49)

    • Buzz recommends his podcast episode with Steve Cohen, the documentary’s executive producer (18:00).

9. Stones, Princess Diana & Closing

(18:32 – 19:17)

• August 31, 1974 – Rolling Stones release "It's Only Rock and Roll (but I like it)."
  • Classic tune and a favorite of both hosts.
• August 31, 1997 – Death of Princess Diana in Paris.
  • Tribute to Diana’s legacy, Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind” tribute, and the worldwide mournful response.

Notable Quotes

• "As they say, those that do, they refer to it as a practice, which means they're always practicing. And as somebody who needs to probably practice at a lot of things, I should get back to the practice." – Buzz Knight (02:55)
• "This was the power of radio back in the early 80s where a radio station like BCN would play something and rock radio around the country would follow it." – Harry Jacobs (08:13)
• "I guarantee it was the Beatles in awe. Yeah. And I guarantee it was Elvis in awe." – Buzz Knight (07:17)
• "How do we know though, that it was on that day and that it wasn't a week before or a week after...? This cannot be corroborated." – Harry Jacobs (10:20)
• "He starts playing My Life as a classical piece. And you go, oh boy, he's really, really a great pianist." – Harry Jacobs (15:53)
• "They took that factory, a Jewish factory, and they turned it into the place where... the prison uniforms were made for... those going to the concentration camps. Just horrific." – Harry Jacobs (16:49)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:37 – Beatles & Meditation
• 03:19 – Page & Plant MTV Unplugged Discussion
• 06:13 – Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Final Concert
• 06:56 – Beatles Meet Elvis
• 07:45 – U2’s First Record Deal and Carter Allen Anecdote
• 09:55 – Bob Dylan Introduces Beatles to Marijuana
• 10:27 – MTV VMAs / Queen in Leeds
• 10:55 – Michael Jackson Born / Beatles’ Last Show
• 12:47 – Def Leppard's Hysteria
• 13:19 – Billy Joel Documentary / Farewell to The Boston Garden
• 18:32 – "It's Only Rock and Roll"/ Princess Diana’s Death

Tone and Style

Friendly, collegial, and nostalgic—Buzz and Harry share deep musical fandom, personal memories, playful ribbing, and genuine admiration for the legends they discuss.

Final Thoughts

This week’s journey through music history on takin’ a walk is packed with enduring milestones, forgotten stories, and behind-the-scenes insights. Buzz and Harry’s chemistry and knowledge bring color and meaning to the headlines, creating an episode that feels both informative and heartfelt. Whether you’re a longtime music fan or a curious newcomer, this conversation will deepen your appreciation for the moments that shaped music history.