takin' a walk – This Week in Music History for the Week of 9-29
Podcast: takin' a walk
Host: Buzz Knight
Guest: Harry Jacobs
Episode Date: September 29, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode of "takin' a walk" dives into the pivotal moments in music history for the week of September 29th through October 5th. Hosts Buzz Knight and Harry Jacobs deliver their signature blend of humor, banter, and deep knowledge, offering insights into landmark events and quirky anecdotes—ranging from the first rock tour in Australia to rare Beatles stories, the legacy of classic albums, and lesser-known facts about music legends.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Rock'n'Roll Goes Global
[02:38]
- Sept 29, 1956: Bill Haley and the Comets become the first rock act to tour Australia, marking a pivotal moment in rock globalization.
- Harry Jacobs: "His band was thought to kind of be the first of the real rock bands, right?"
- Buzz Knight: Imagines the challenges of such a tour—hauling equipment across the globe in the '50s—calling it, "the rawness of rock and roll right there on display."
2. Beatles Weekly Spotlight
[03:59, 10:03, 13:25, 15:37]
- Sept 29, 1967: The Beatles mix "I Am the Walrus" at Abbey Road.
- Harry: "Cuckoo Coochoo. We don't get through a week without the Beatles."
- Hosts joke about the impossibility of leaving the Beatles out of music history.
- Oct 3, 1969: "Abbey Road" released in the US.
- Oct 5, 1962: "Love Me Do," the Beatles’ debut single, released in the UK.
3. Iconic Album Anniversaries
[04:20–05:43, 14:09–14:55, 16:10–16:41]
- Sept 29, 1976: "Frampton Comes Alive" released.
- Buzz (04:52): "Threw the world of Dayton, Ohio when I was on the radio upside down I imagine."
- Funny listener requests: "Can you play that song with the talking guitar?"
- Oct 4, 1974: Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells" becomes Virgin's first US release, linked to The Exorcist's popularity.
- Harry: "That was the hit because of The Exorcist."
- Buzz: "It was a cultural phenomenon because of The Exorcist."
- Oct 5, 1970: Led Zeppelin III released in the UK; discussion of "Immigrant Song."
- Harry: "An album where there were only a couple things and wasn't... hey, hey, what...?"
4. TV & Stage Milestones
[05:44, 11:17, 11:51]
- Sept 30, 1965: Donovan appears on Shindig for his US TV debut.
- Mockery of his "I Love My Shirt":
- Buzz (06:41): "My shirt is so lovely and it loves...Now, I would suggest Donovan maybe was on the psychedelics."
- Comparison to Right Said Fred’s "I’m Too Sexy."
- Harry (07:17): "That's probably three and a half minutes I'll never get back."
- Mockery of his "I Love My Shirt":
- Oct 2, 1965: The Who debut on US TV, performing "I Can't Explain" on Shindig.
- Buzz: "It's fun. That was a good short song, couple minutes long, easy three quarter for them on Shindig."
5. Legend Losses & Scandals
[05:44, 09:37, 13:25, 13:47]
- Sept 30, 1955: James Dean dies at 24; the impact on "Rebel Youth" culture.
- Buzz: "Reckless youth."
- Oct 1, 1970: Janis Joplin records "Mercedes Benz," her last studio session.
- Oct 3, 1970: Janis Joplin found dead from heroin overdose.
- Oct 3, 1978: Aerosmith involved in a plane crash (band survives).
- Harry (14:01): "They may have only had one plane crash, but they've had many train wrecks."
6. Musical Oddities
[12:06, 12:17, 14:56]
- Oct 2, 1967: All six Grateful Dead members arrested for marijuana in San Francisco.
- Buzz: "Now they'd be looking at the world and go, what happened?"
- Sept 30, 1971: Isaac Hayes hits #1 with "Theme from Shaft" and is remembered for his later radio and "South Park" voice work as Chef.
- Oct 5, 1967: Pink Floyd’s "See Emily Play" released in the US.
- Hosts question if they even know the tracks on the album.
7. Notable Chart-toppers
[12:17, 14:56]
- Oct 2, 1982: "Jack & Diane" by John Cougar (Mellencamp) hits #1 in US.
- Discussion on Mellencamp's evolving name and notorious personality.
- Harry (12:42): "He's an angry dude."
- Buzz: "I'll just leave it at that."
- Discussion on Mellencamp's evolving name and notorious personality.
- Oct 4, 1980: Queen’s "Another One Bites the Dust" begins a three-week US #1 run.
- Harry: Not that impressed: "Not one of the great Queen [songs]... Radio Gaga... that's an awful song too. They had a bunch of drek."
8. Elton John & Billy Joel: A Tale of Two Piano Men
[09:59–10:51]
- Oct 1, 1977: Elton John, first rock star honored in Madison Square Garden’s Hall of Fame.
- Chat about Elton's surprise radio work as "EJ the DJ" with Scott Muni on WNEW-FM.
- Billy Joel documentary—debate on musicianship: “Don’t compare me to Elton John. He’s not a piano player.”
- The duo exchange winks about Billy’s daughter Alexa and Alexa voice assistants.
- Buzz: "Alexa just said, you made my day. Great, now shut up before you go in the trash." [11:17]
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On touring Australia in 1956:
“That's the rawness of rock and roll right there on display.” — Buzz Knight [02:56] -
On the Frampton talkbox:
“Can you play that song with the talking guitar?” — Recreated by Buzz Knight [05:04] -
On Donovan’s “I Love My Shirt”:
“I would suggest Donovan maybe was on the psychedelics.” — Buzz Knight [06:41]
“That's probably three and a half minutes I'll never get back.” — Harry Jacobs [07:17] -
On Isaac Hayes:
“He voiced Chef?” — Buzz Knight [08:49]
“Yeah, he voiced Chef.” — Harry Jacobs [08:51] -
On Queen’s hit:
“Not one of the great Queen (songs)... Radio Gaga... that's an awful song too. They had a bunch of drek.” — Harry Jacobs [15:21] -
On Aerosmith:
“They may have only had one plane crash, but they've had many train wrecks.” — Harry Jacobs [14:01]
Timeline of Important Segments
- 02:38 – Bill Haley tours Australia
- 03:59 – Beatles mix "I Am the Walrus"
- 04:43 – "Frampton Comes Alive" released
- 05:44 – James Dean's death
- 06:13 – Donovan’s TV debut / “I Love My Shirt”
- 07:25 – Isaac Hayes and "Theme from Shaft"
- 09:17 – Hendrix lands in London / Janis Joplin’s final session
- 09:57 – Elton John honored at MSG
- 10:10 – Billy Joel vs. Elton John
- 11:46 – The Who’s US TV debut
- 12:06 – Grateful Dead arrested
- 12:17 – "Jack & Diane" at #1
- 13:25 – "Abbey Road" and Janis Joplin's death
- 13:47 – Aerosmith plane crash
- 14:09 – "Tubular Bells" and the Exorcist
- 14:56 – Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" at #1
- 15:37 – Beatles "Love Me Do" release
- 16:10 – Led Zeppelin III release
Final Thoughts
Through their playful camaraderie and encyclopedic music knowledge, Buzz Knight and Harry Jacobs deliver another entertaining and enlightening stroll through seminal music history moments. Whether reminiscing about classic albums, poking fun at oddball songs, or debating rock legends’ quirks, this episode is a fun, fact-filled listen for any music fan.