This week in Music History for the week of 9-22

Summary

Podcast Summary: takin' a walk – "This week in Music History for the week of 9-22"

Host: Buzz Knight
Guest: Harry Jacobs
Date: September 22, 2025
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts

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Episode Overview

This episode is a special "This Week in Music History" edition of takin' a walk, where Buzz Knight is joined by music historian Harry Jacobs. Together, they revisit iconic moments and album releases that occurred during the week of September 22nd to 28th in music history. Their discussion is laced with personal commentary, banter, and nostalgia for the era-defining music that continues to resonate today.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fleetwood Mac Releases Tusk (September 24, 1979)

[03:04 – 06:41]

• Background & Buzz's Take:
  Harry highlights the significance of Fleetwood Mac following up Rumors with the ambitious double album Tusk, spotlighting standout songs: "Sisters of the Moon," "Tusk," "Over and Over," and "Think About Me."

• Debate on the Album's Reception:

  • Buzz remembers the initial reaction as mixed, suggesting many felt it should have been a single album and viewed it as overreaching after the smash success of Rumors.
  • He notes that "Tusk," with its USC marching band feature, was seen as a "novelty" at the time.
  • Harry counters by celebrating its creative risks, likening Fleetwood Mac’s inventiveness to The Beatles and noting how Tusk is viewed more kindly today.

• Quote Highlight:

  "Tough to follow up from Rumors." – Buzz Knight (06:39)
  "To me, Tusk was a great song. I realized it was different... but think about, you know, the Beatles, you know, would have hired a marching band and would have made it sound great." – Harry Jacobs (06:03)

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2. The Loss of John Bonham & Led Zeppelin's End (September 25, 1980)

[06:44 – 08:37]

• Impact on Led Zeppelin:
  Harry marks the anniversary of John Bonham’s death, emphasizing how the band “was never the same.” He references post-Zeppelin collaborations and tribute performances, particularly the O2 concert with Jason Bonham on drums.

• Comparison with Other Bands:

  • Contrasts Zeppelin’s choice to disband with The Who, who performed the night after John Entwistle’s death.
  • Discusses the uniqueness and irreplaceability of drummers like Bonham and Keith Moon.

• Notable Quotes:

  "The band arguably was never the same. And it's interesting because so many bands go on… but this was the right move for them to not continue." – Harry Jacobs (07:34)
  "It proves the fragility, too, of bands… there's a little bit more at the core." – Buzz Knight (07:46)

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3. The Release of The Beatles' Abbey Road (September 26, 1969)

[08:41 – 10:13]

• Celebrating an Iconic Album:
  Harry announces the release date of Abbey Road, describing it as “best in class.” Buzz and Harry run through its legendary tracklist, expressing awe and reverence, especially for the medley closing the album: "Golden Slumbers," "Carry That Weight," and "The End."

• Personal Favorites & Standout Moments:

  • Harry mentions Steven Tyler's live performance of "Golden Slumbers."
  • Buzz relishes the album's seamless sequence and musical craftsmanship.

• Quote Highlight:

  "That's how it ends—it's amazing. It's a masterpiece." – Buzz Knight (10:08)

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4. Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life Turns 49 (September 28, 1976)

[10:16 – 13:03]

• Album Impact:
  Stevie Wonder’s landmark album is celebrated for classics like "Sir Duke," "I Wish," and "Isn't She Lovely." Harry reminisces about seeing Stevie live, calling him "truly a genius."

• Stevie’s Cross-Genre Appeal:
  Buzz reflects on the days when rock radio embraced Wonder's music, noting how "he was welcome on all formats" and recounting his experience as a DJ spinning his hits.

• Quote Highlight:

  "He’s a guy who bangs out his hits, right? And you think about that album, a couple of great ones—'Sir Duke' and 'I Wish,' among others." – Harry Jacobs (10:57)
  "I think he's truly a genius." – Buzz Knight (11:07)

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5. Longevity and Reinvention: The Case of Stevie Wonder

[13:03 – 14:03]

• Stevie's Career Arc:
  Harry marvels at Stevie’s transformation from a Motown child prodigy to mature creative force, pondering other artists with similarly varied careers. Buzz and Harry joke about music history expertise and longevity.

• Quote Highlight:

  "He's had a couple of different lives in a way, career-wise… just an interesting trajectory his career has taken." – Harry Jacobs (13:03)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Tough to follow up from Rumors." – Buzz Knight (06:39)
• "It proves the fragility, too, of bands… there's a little bit more at the core." – Buzz Knight (07:46)
• "That's how it ends—it's amazing. It's a masterpiece." – Buzz Knight (10:08)
• "He’s a guy who bangs out his hits, right?... I think he's truly a genius." – Harry Jacobs & Buzz Knight (10:57, 11:07)
• "He's had a couple of different lives in a way, career-wise… just an interesting trajectory his career has taken." – Harry Jacobs (13:03)

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Important Timestamps

• 03:04 – Fleetwood Mac Tusk discussion begins
• 06:44 – John Bonham’s death and Led Zeppelin’s fate
• 08:41 – The Beatles' Abbey Road release
• 10:16 – Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life
• 13:03 – Stevie Wonder's multi-phase career and artist reinventions

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Tone & Language

Conversational, nostalgic, and occasionally irreverent—the hosts blend music history with personal perspective and playful banter, making the discussion both insightful and accessible.

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Summary

This episode delivers a vibrant stroll through landmark moments in music history, expertly layered with commentary and a healthy dose of reverence for influential albums and artists. Buzz and Harry—true music aficionados—celebrate, question, and contextualize the impact of each event, leaving listeners with renewed appreciation for the enduring power of great music.

Transcript

[Buzz Knight]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Podcast Sponsor/Announcer]

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 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.

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[Buzz Knight]

Well, I'm Buzz Knight and welcome one and all to the Taking a Walk podcast. And this is an addition that we.

[Podcast Sponsor/Announcer]

Love to do called this Week in Music History.

[Buzz Knight]

And for that feature I turn right to the music history desk. He's got volumes of paper there with information on music history and it looks like a couple sandwich wrapp there. Also welcome Harry Jacobs to this Week in Music History. And this is for the week of September 22nd to September 28th. Sorry to interrupt you.

[Harry Jacobs]

You know, the first introduction that you made when I joined and you, I heard the thing say now recording was far greater than what you just said. Like, first of all, I don't eat carbs. I don't eat sandwiches. Number two, you, you were like, there he is. He lives and he breathes. The one and the only. It was like some Michael Buffer boxing introduction and now I'm a guy with a bunch of sandwich wrappers and paper like some lunatic. That's great. So Albert Einstein of classic rock. Thanks.

[Buzz Knight]

Well, maybe Bob will, our fearless audio wizard, maybe he'll decide to use some of the the clips from the opening and he'll feel that's better. But right now we're in the moment and I wouldn't want to be anywhere truly.

[Harry Jacobs]

You, you, you. As my mother would say when I was a kid, you're quite A charmer.

[Buzz Knight]

That's me. All right.

[Harry Jacobs]

September 22nd through the 28th. The 24th is when Fleetwood Mac released Tusk in 79. This was the follow up to Rumors. This was a big deal, I think. I'm not sure where you are in terms of, you know, fan level of Fleetwood Mac, but to me, this was a fantastic album. You know, double album, right? Huge, huge deal for. For them to do that. They come right out of Rumors and they go to. They go to a double album. That's their. Their choice on this one. But bunch of great songs. Sisters of the Moon, Tusk was great. Of course, over and over was there. Think about me was there.

[Buzz Knight]

I'm gonna stop you. I'm gonna stop you right there.

[Harry Jacobs]

Okay.

[Buzz Knight]

I was doing everything I can to. To hold back, but that urge that I have is going to speak loudly and proudly. Listen. I think when that came out, that was viewed especially considering of the album that it followed, that was viewed as a. Should have been a 1 album rather than a double album. And maybe some of it, over time, is living on in history and. And finding new audiences, like the three songs that you first, you know, led with there. Yeah, but in.

[Podcast Sponsor/Announcer]

In that time.

[Buzz Knight]

And I don't know what the charts would show or, you know, the sales picture of it, but it was viewed as, my God, you guys didn't need to do two albums unless it was something that was part of the contractual piece they were, you know, grinding through. But I remember it a little bit differently, I guess.

[Harry Jacobs]

So you weren't. You weren't really in favor of.

[Buzz Knight]

Of.

[Harry Jacobs]

Of what they did. That was a. A move that was done probably contractually, and that was about it.

[Buzz Knight]

It felt like it was all a reach.

[Harry Jacobs]

Interesting.

[Buzz Knight]

Yeah. But once again, I'm. I'm up for rediscovering Sisters of the Moon as an example. I think I saw Stevie Nicks perform that during her run recently. You know, a video of it. So I'll give the fact that some of this deserves maybe another look. Tusk was kind of viewed as novelty. You know, they had the marching band thing that was part of the usc.

[Harry Jacobs]

USC band.

[Buzz Knight]

Yeah. So that was kind of viewed as like, okay, that's good once in a while, you know, it had its life. That was probably the biggest song off of it, I would guess, you know, chart position wise. But sometimes, you know, the hype leading up to a release, especially with a band as big as they were then, and then there's a little bit of a letdown sometimes years later, those songs do stand up differently. So I will go back and give some of those. Will listen.

[Harry Jacobs]

I think history will be far kinder in your mind after you go through and listen. I mean, Tusk. To me, Tusk was a great song. I realized it was different and with the USC marching. But think about, you know, the Beatles, you know, would have hired a marching band and would have made it sound great. You know, they did some stuff that was irreverent and different. I mean, I wasn't a Fleetwood Mac nut. I just. I really enjoyed a handful of tracks from the album. I thought it was really neat and creative and, you know, that's. That's my piece on Tusk. Tough, listen, tough to follow up from rumors.

[Buzz Knight]

That's my point.

[Harry Jacobs]

Yeah.

[Buzz Knight]

Almost impossible. Almost impossible. Probably.

[Harry Jacobs]

September 25th, John Bonham passed away, 1980. And obviously the band was never the same. You know, they really disbanded for all intents and purposes. You know, Paige and Plant got together a couple times. They got together and, you know, played at Live Aid. They had that show in London at the O2 with Jason Bonham playing drums. And, man, he's a hard hitter. Right. It was really great to see that. But the band arguably was never the same. And it's interesting because so many bands go on. I mean, think about it. The who played the night after John Entwistle died. I know, right?

[Buzz Knight]

Vegas, right?

[Harry Jacobs]

Yeah. Was here hard. He died at the Hard Rock.

[Buzz Knight]

Yeah.

[Harry Jacobs]

Down the road from where I am. So listen, there are.

[Buzz Knight]

There are.

[Harry Jacobs]

You know, as they say in the auto business, there's an ask for every seat. Right. Everyone's got a different play and what to do and all that. And this was the right move for them to not continue. Would have been great to see him continue, but they didn't.

[Buzz Knight]

Well, it proves the fragility, too, of bands, you know, that. That.

[Harry Jacobs]

Oh, yeah.

[Buzz Knight]

It's not as easy for some to just kind of play, plug and play. That there's a little bit more at the core. And I actually, in the beginning, hoped for, you know, more from, you know, a second round of the band. And there were various little, you know, iterations. But in the long run, I. I'm glad that it. It went that way.

[Harry Jacobs]

Interesting. You know, there was no, you know, that period of time had two. I mean, we had many amazing drummers. But think about Keith Moon and John Bonham in terms of their playing style and how hard those guys played. Right. I mean, they were just. They were a different breed.

[Buzz Knight]

Fierce.

[Harry Jacobs]

Charlie. Charlie Watts is not John Bonham.

[Buzz Knight]

That's right.

[Harry Jacobs]

So at any rate, John Bonham, 1980. September 25th. On September 26th, this is for Jason at the cheese shop. Beatles released Abbey Road.

[Buzz Knight]

Justin, he's gonna. He's gonna send you a smelly piece of cheese. Cheese. For calling them the wrong name.

[Harry Jacobs]

That's fantastic. September 26th. The Beatles released Abbey Road in 1969. And, you know, again, another one. And you can. There's probably no debating this, but that's, you know, another one. An epic album that probably, you know, best in class, right?

[Buzz Knight]

Oh, yeah, no doubt.

[Harry Jacobs]

Do we need to. Do we need to go through that track list at all? I mean, there's. Come together. Oh, darling Maxwell. Silver hammers. I want you. You never give her your money. Octopus's garden, Here comes the sun. Golden slumbers she came in through the bathroom window. How about that version of Golden Slumbers with Steven Tyler at the Kennedy Center?

[Podcast Sponsor/Announcer]

Oh, pretty amazing.

[Harry Jacobs]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I like.

[Buzz Knight]

The poppier side of that isn't my favorite, but all the stuff that, you know, the. The tracks that run into each other, I could listen to, you know, I Want you and Golden Slumbers and Carry that weight. I could listen to that and crank it up any. Any old time and love it.

[Harry Jacobs]

She came in through the bathroom window. Golden slumbers Carry that weight in the end.

[Buzz Knight]

Oh, it's amazing.

[Harry Jacobs]

That's how it ends.

[Buzz Knight]

It's amazing. It's a masterpiece.

[Harry Jacobs]

It sure is. And on this day.

[Podcast Sponsor/Announcer]

Take that, Justin.

[Harry Jacobs]

Yeah, Justin. Send me the Brie. September 28th, Stevie Wonder released Songs in the Key of Life on. On this date, 1976. Great album.

[Buzz Knight]

Oh, man, every song.

[Harry Jacobs]

Did you ever see him?

[Buzz Knight]

I unfortunately never live. No, never live. Only, you know, TV performances that he still to this day, blows me away. But never saw him live.

[Harry Jacobs]

He. I saw him at the Centrum in Worcester and he played in the round, which I thought was really interesting.

[Buzz Knight]

And.

[Harry Jacobs]

And, you know, he. He's a guy who bangs out his hits, right? And you think about that album, a couple of great ones. Sir Duke and I Wish, among others.

[Buzz Knight]

But I think he's truly a genius.

[Harry Jacobs]

Yeah, I would agree with that. I. Boy, I loved I Wish and Sir Duke, Both of those were great songs to me. Isn't she Lovely? Was on that, you know, as well.

[Buzz Knight]

And I do have to say, back to the days of. Of what, you know, rock, radio, I was associated with. It was. It was pretty refreshing to think about it then and think about things now, necessarily, how he was welcome. Stevie's music was welcomed on all. All formats. He was not format excluded, at least in that period of time. Now, once his songs became bigger pop songs, songs on, you know, top 40 or adult contemporary stations, then a rock station would be less likely to. To play it, but back. Back then, playing it. Like, I could hold my hand up and say, I played that when I was a current. It was. It was welcomed in the format, and it was pretty refreshing.

[Harry Jacobs]

Yeah, it's kind of neat to me. You know, I. I didn't realize they were playing it on. On rock radio. I would imagine superstition got played and. And all that. But that's. That's an interesting take on. On that as well, with Stevie Wonder. And. And as you said, he's still. Still going. Still. Still playing. Still. Still doing his thing.

[Buzz Knight]

You want to go down a fun rabbit hole, just like, you know, start going through all of his. All of his albums, you know, early, you know, middle of the career, and go deep into some of it and find, you know, living for the city as an example.

[Harry Jacobs]

Oh, gosh, wasn't that great? And New York City just like I pictured it. Skyscrapers and everything.

[Buzz Knight]

Just.

[Podcast Sponsor/Announcer]

Just mass Masterful.

[Buzz Knight]

Just a big fan would really.

[Harry Jacobs]

Yeah. Can. Can you think of others maybe beyond Steve Winwood, who had a career when they were kids? Think about, like, for once in my life, in those early Motown Stevie Wonder songs, he's had a couple of different lives in a way, career wise. You know, he went from that poppy kind of Motown, banging out the hits. Very Gordy product of that, you know, that time. And. And then he ends up, you know, with, you know, I wish and songs in the key of life. I mean, all of it. And. And just an interesting trajectory his career has taken. You know, we watched him, you know. You did, because you're, you know, old as dirt. But I, you know, I'm just aware of his history because I am a historian with a lot of papers on my desk and sandwich wrappers. Yeah. So, yeah, thanks. Anyway, on. On that happy note, we're gonna wrap up this week, September 22nd through the 28th.

[Buzz Knight]

Oh, a tremendous week, Harry Jacobs. And next time, I'll be kinder in the introduction.

[Harry Jacobs]

I promise you, I fell. I can only hope.

[Buzz Knight]

All right, well. And thank you to. To all of you fine people for checking out the Taking a Walk podcast and this episode of this Week in Music History for the week of September 22nd through September 28th. And we are part of the Iheart Podcast Network.

[Podcast Sponsor/Announcer]

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 and 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.

[Buzz Knight]

This is an iHeart podcast.