Podcast Summary: "takin' a walk" – This Week in Music History (March 31, 2025)

Host: Buzz Knight
Guest: Harry Jacobs
Release Date: March 31, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of "takin' a walk," Buzz Knight welcomes back Harry Jacobs, a seasoned musician, media executive, and music historian. Together with guest Jewel, they delve into significant events in music history that occurred during the week of March 31st, exploring iconic albums, influential artists, and poignant moments that have shaped the musical landscape.

April 1: The Birth of "Pet Sounds" by The Beach Boys

Discussion Highlights:

• Recording Beginnings: Harry Jacobs remarks on how April 1st marks the commencement of recording sessions for "Pet Sounds" at Gold Star Studios in 1966. He emphasizes the album's profound impact, highlighting tracks like "Sloop John B," "Wouldn't It Be Nice," and "God Only Knows."

  Harry Jacobs [04:30]: "One of my favorite albums of all time was Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys... When you look at the track list on that, certainly two or three of my favorite Beach Boy songs. Think about Sloop John B. Is Wouldn't It Be Nice? Is There, And God Only Knows. Think about how powerful those songs are."

• Influence and Evolution: Jewel shares her journey from being a Beatles enthusiast to appreciating the Beach Boys, noting the friendly rivalry between the two bands.

  Jewel [05:02]: "I was the Beatles person first... Over time, I definitely appreciate those songs and certainly more of the work of the Beach Boys. And you can't deny that, you know, there was competition between the Beatles and the Beach Boys, Right."

• Personal Connections: Harry discusses his family's musical preferences, explaining how his mother's admiration for the Beach Boys initially influenced his tastes before he delved deeper into the Beatles' discography in the mid-90s.

April 2: Tragic Loss of Marvin Gaye

Discussion Highlights:

• Tragic Event: Harry Jacobs solemnly notes that April 2nd marks the day Marvin Gaye was tragically shot by his father, a heartbreaking event that occurred one day before Gaye's birthday.

  Harry Jacobs [08:53]: "April 2nd, it was the day that Marvin Gaye was shot by his father... It was also the day before his birthday, which is, you know, a crazy, you know, sad sequence of events."

• Musical Legacy: Both hosts express their admiration for Marvin Gaye, acknowledging his remarkable contributions to the Motown era and the lasting influence of his music.

  Jewel [09:21]: "I love Marvin Gaye. Totally same here. Absolutely."

April 3: The Rolling Stones Release "Brown Sugar"

Discussion Highlights:

• Iconic Release: Jacobs highlights April 3rd, 1971, as the release date of the Rolling Stones' "Brown Sugar," describing it as a legendary and powerful track.

  Harry Jacobs [09:33]: "The Rolling Stones released Brown Sugar on April 3rd, Marvin Gaye's birthday, in 1971. Legendary track."

• Driving Anthems: Jewel reflects on her personal connection to the song, associating it with driving and memorable moments.

  Jewel [09:40]: "A great driving song. I always equate being in the car with certain things you love just cranking up in a particular moment."

April 5: Kurt Cobain’s Legacy

Discussion Highlights:

• Tragic Passing: Harry Jacobs addresses the somber anniversary of Kurt Cobain's suicide on April 5, 1994, and its enduring impact on rock music.

  Harry Jacobs [11:52]: "April 5, 1994, Kurt Cobain took his own life, changing the course of rock music right to this day."

• Speculations on His Legacy: Jewel and Harry engage in a thoughtful discussion about what Cobain might have contributed to music had he lived, considering the evolution of the industry and digital streaming.

  Jewel [12:01]: "What would his musical direction be? What do you think?"

  Harry Jacobs [12:23]: "I gotta believe he is probably someone who would have imploded in frustration at the state of where music is now... the change in what happened with radio... Napster... it would have pissed him off."

Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" and The Wizard of Oz Synchronization

Discussion Highlights:

• Recording Timeline: Jacobs mentions that Pink Floyd began recording "Dark Side of the Moon" on April 5, 1973, at Abbey Road Studios, tying it to thematic discussions of the album.

  Harry Jacobs [14:43]: "Pink Floyd began recording Dark Side of the Moon in 1973 at Abbey Road Studios."

• Alan Parsons Interview: Harry shares an anecdote from his 1996 interview with Alan Parsons, where he inquired about the alleged synchronization of "Dark Side of the Moon" with "The Wizard of Oz."

  Harry Jacobs [15:18]: "I asked him about the Dark Side of the Moon CD synchronizing with The Wizard of Oz, and he said, 'I have no idea what you're talking about.'"

• Theories and Speculations: The hosts debate the validity of the synchronization theory, considering both conspiracy and coincidental interpretations.

  Harry Jacobs [16:49]: "I think there are too many things... I got to go. I got to go. And now with, you know where we are, you can do it and sit and watch it on, you know, on YouTube in your living room."

  Jewel [18:17]: "I'm gonna go with... maybe it wasn't completely an intentional act, but it certainly had some intention and influence."

• Cultural Impact: They reflect on the lasting fascination with the idea that Pink Floyd may have intentionally synced their album with a classic film, underscoring its place in pop culture lore.

Supertramp’s "Breakfast in America" Release

Discussion Highlights:

• Album Release: Jacobs notes the release of Supertramp's "Breakfast in America" on April 5th, praising its collection of hits like "Logical Song," "Take the Long Way Home," and "Goodbye Stranger."

  Harry Jacobs [10:15]: "Breakfast in America, the Supertramp album, was released on this day... Logical Song, Take the Long Way Home, and Goodbye Stranger."

• Personal Anecdotes: He reminisces about his time at WZLX in Boston, recalling a prominent poster of the album in the conference room and the enduring quality of its tracks.

  Harry Jacobs [10:31]: "There was a giant poster... The Supertramp album."

• Band Dynamics: Jewel and Harry discuss the eventual fading of Supertramp as a band, expressing admiration for Roger Hodgson's contributions.

  Harry Jacobs [11:18]: "Another fantastic one... Roger Hodgson, right?"

  Jewel [11:24]: "They kind of faded away... the band kind of faded away."

Technical and Industry Insights

Music Streaming Challenges:

• Modern Streaming Issues: Harry Jacobs shares his frustrations with Apple Music's restrictive policies, particularly the inability to sync personal music libraries, including bootlegs and special releases.

  Harry Jacobs [14:00]: "You can't add your own music to your iTunes... So I had this library of things, thousands and thousands of songs that I had downloaded... You can't do any. That's all bunk."

• Impact on Artists: He connects these challenges to broader industry shifts since Cobain's time, including the rise of digital platforms like Napster and their effects on artists' revenue and control over their work.

  Harry Jacobs [12:23]: "Napster kind of, you know, after that... things started to fall apart for artists in terms of getting paid."

Pop Culture References and Final Thoughts

Movie Synopses and Influences:

• "Love and Mercy": The hosts discuss the portrayal of Brian Wilson in the film, comparing his struggles to those of other musical figures like members of the Jackson family.

  Harry Jacobs [08:50]: "... Love and Mercy where John Cusack played Brian Wilson... It's a heartbreaking movie in a lot of ways."

• "The Wizard of Oz" Connections: They revisit the synchronization theory between "Dark Side of the Moon" and "The Wizard of Oz," reinforcing its enigmatic allure.

  Harry Jacobs [20:12]: "One of my top five movies, The Wizard of Oz... But those flying monkeys always just completely fucked with my head."

Closing Remarks:

The episode wraps up with appreciation for Harry Jacobs' contributions and an invitation for listeners to explore more content on iHeartRadio and other podcast platforms.

Jewel [20:43]: "That's a pretty active week, the week of March 31st. Thank you, Harry Jacobs, on the music history desk for all of that work, and it's great having you back on."

Notable Quotes

• Harry Jacobs on "Pet Sounds":

  "One of my favorite albums of all time was Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys... how powerful those songs are." [04:30]

• Jewel on The Beach Boys vs. The Beatles:

  "I was the Beatles person first... there was competition between the Beatles and the Beach Boys." [05:02]

• Harry Jacobs on Marvin Gaye:

  "It was a crazy, you know, sad sequence of events." [08:53]

• Harry Jacobs on Kurt Cobain:

  "He would have imploded in frustration at the state of where music is now." [12:23]

• Harry Jacobs on Music Streaming:

  "You can't add your own music to your iTunes... That's all bunk." [14:00]

Conclusion

In this comprehensive exploration of music history, Buzz Knight, Harry Jacobs, and Jewel navigate through pivotal moments and influential figures that have left an indelible mark on the industry. From the creative genius of The Beach Boys and the tragic loss of Marvin Gaye and Kurt Cobain to the enduring mysteries surrounding Pink Floyd’s "Dark Side of the Moon," the episode offers insightful reflections and engaging discussions for music enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

For more enriching conversations and deep dives into music history, listeners are encouraged to tune into "takin' a walk" on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or their preferred podcast platform.