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Mandy Woodruff Santos
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Mandy Woodruff Santos
This is Mandy Woodruff Santos from Brown Ambition. Y' all gotta be kidding. It's something you might say when your small business has a problem, but that won't get you the help your small business needs. Ba fam. What you should really say is something that can help. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. State Farm agents are ready to help you with your claim. To help you get back in business. On the phone or in person, your State Farm agent is there to help. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.
Harry Jacobs
Well, look who's in the room. The master of music, Mayhem. He suddenly appears.
Giorgio Marauder
I come bearing mayhem. My gift is Mayhem.
Harry Jacobs
He comes. Out of nowhere. He appears. Welcome to the Taking a Walk podcast to look at music history for the week of December 22nd. My, what a year. It's been. Welcome, Harry Jacobs.
Giorgio Marauder
It is the end of the year. This is the last, last episode of the year. You know, I think we. We covered a lot of ground this year. I mean, we really. You know, it's funny. It's one of those things that when you think about it, you would think, well, if you do it year after year, you're going to be talking about the same things. And the truth is, we continue to uncover new and different things. As I look at what we're going to talk about this week, I've got a couple of great examples of that, and it continues to be a fun and exciting thing to do. And I bring the mayhem.
Harry Jacobs
Do any of those have anything to do? I don't know why I'm singling this band out, but it just came to me. Do any of those moments in music history have anything to do with Depeche Mode?
Giorgio Marauder
Absolutely not. Okay, then let the record show.
Harry Jacobs
No disrespect for them. I'm not really mocking them. It just came to me in a.
Giorgio Marauder
Sense of whimsy as much as I am. You've put me in charge, including titling me. I don't know that I would know the Pest song, Depeche Mode song, if. If it came on the radio right now, I don't think I can identify one. I mean, I probably might go, oh, I know that song. I didn't realize who it was. I was never into that. That kind of new, wavy thing. And especially with them, for whatever reason, it just never caught my attention.
Harry Jacobs
All right, but we're not here to disparage a musical movement. We're here to go through the week.
Giorgio Marauder
Of December 22, or potential guests on the Taking a Walk podcast. More specifically. Precisely, my friend, December 22nd. Joe Strummer from the Clash passed away in 2002. His real name was John Mellor. He was 50. He died young. And, you know, he died. He. He died taking a walk. Oh, my God. Yeah.
Harry Jacobs
How eerie is that?
Giorgio Marauder
What a way to go with his. With his dogs, with him. He had a heart attack. He. He had the big one, as Fred Sanford might say, and he. He allegedly had some. Not allegedly, but apparently had some sort of a congenital heart defect, which is called inter. I want to get this right. Intramural coronary artery issue is what he had, and that's where a major artery grows inside the heart muscle, and it's so rare. There were only a hundred deaths in fifty years prior to Joe Strummer's death. It's a. It's A crazy way to go. So.
Harry Jacobs
Certainly is. Especially with the name of the show that we have.
Giorgio Marauder
Yeah, right. Taking a walk. Joe Strummer died Taking a walk.
Harry Jacobs
Yeah.
Giorgio Marauder
1973, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road started it its two week run at number one in the UK. A bunch of great tracks on that. Candle in the Wind. Probably my least favorite. Candle in the Wind. I, I, I don't know. I think at the time it was, it was to me a, a great record. But I think once everything happened with Princess Diana and that version came out, it was just overkill. Right. And, and hearing that song over and over and over again, just, it lost its lust with me.
Harry Jacobs
You did say lust. It lost its lust luster. Oh, I'm sorry. I had a little hiccup.
Giorgio Marauder
I just ate a protein bar before we started, so I kind of hiccup. But no, my lust is still there. But Kale in the Wind lost its luster with, with me when the Princess Diana version of it came out.
Harry Jacobs
Understood.
Giorgio Marauder
Benny and the Jets. Funeral for a Friend. Benny, Legendary song. That'll, that's a, that's a great song to hear in a bar. Everyone starts bopping their heads and tapping their feet. Funeral for a Friend. Can't argue with that.
Harry Jacobs
Oh, that is, that's an epic song, you know.
Giorgio Marauder
Yeah. A bunch of great tracks. 1949. Maurice and Robin Gibb were born. The, the Bee Gees. Twin brothers. Big day as a Bee Gees fan. Big day in Bee Gees history. On, on this day I will be celebrating with a Bee Gees cake and probably listening to Saturday Night Fever. You know me.
Harry Jacobs
I do know you.
Giorgio Marauder
Okay, here's one of those things. The next topic of discussion is Rick Nielsen from Cheap Trick. It's his birthday on December 22nd. I, I've been curious for some time about what happened in that band with Bunny Carlos. So I want to talk about that. I did some research. I have some information. I want to recognize Rick on his birthday. Legendary guitar player. The band was obviously nominated and brought into the Rock and Roll hall of fame. Inducted in 2016. He is obsessed with guitars. He owns hundreds of guitars. He has one that's become very famous, a hamer guitar, five neck guitar, which he actually plays relentlessly. Throws pics out during the show shows he, he does with the band. And you know, he's a, an interesting cat. A very different off stage than on stage. On stage he's, it's what they call performative, I guess is the kind way to say it. You know the act, the Rick Nielsen act. But He's a. He's a methodical and. And very smart guy. You listen to him talk well and.
Harry Jacobs
So what's your suspicion on the Bunny Carlos departure?
Giorgio Marauder
I thought because Dax Nielsen, who was Rick's son, is now playing for the band, I thought this must have been like a Michael Anthony, Eddie Van Halen, Wolfgang Van Halen situation where maybe Rick said, you know what? It's time for my son to step in and. And would he actually kick Bunny Carlos out of the band? And I started to do some legwork and realized that there was a strife in that band that still exists today. And Bunny Carlos, as much as he's not on tour with that band, it's still a situation, like Steve Perry with Journey, where Bunny Carlos is still part of the Cheap Trick Corporation. There was a. An issue that prevented bunny Carlos in 2010 from stopping touring with the band. You know, there was strife. The relationships, I think a bunch of things. It's like, what can happen in any relationship? One thing happens and then another and another. And then, you know something, there's a straw that breaks the camel's back, and, you know, Bunny Carlos ends up suing Rick and Cheap Trick. At one point, there were Carlos Creative issues, there were business issues, and, you know, it. It got to the point where they replaced him in. In 2010, and they never really announced his departure from the band. It was just Dak stepping in. And that's because Bunny Carlos is still part of Cheap Trick, technically. We just don't see him.
Harry Jacobs
Well, maybe that was part of the whole settlement, too. Okay. We're going to, you know, allow you to still be part of the corporation and any royalties and. And on. You know, our part of the deal is giving that to you, and your part of the deal is you just kind of went away.
Giorgio Marauder
I'd be curious to know. You know, it's kind of a.
Harry Jacobs
It's like the Mob discussion. I mean, it's a bit like the Mob.
Giorgio Marauder
Yeah. Yeah. Really, it is. Like, you.
Harry Jacobs
You.
Giorgio Marauder
You're always part of this. You can't go. It's. It's. It's Hell's Angels, the Mob, any of those. Any of those clubs, if you will. And I'd be curious to know how many bands are set up like that, right, as corporations, so if someone leaves, they still maintain some level of ownership. I've only heard about it. Journey was the only thing I knew about because of how much energy seems to be behind Steve Perry coming back to join the band. And at some point that story came out that he was still part of the corporation. So with Cheap Trick, it's interesting and that's, that's one where there was an ugly end with, with Journey, there was no ugly end. You know, Steve just was ready to move on and Neil has been anxious to, to get him back in the band. He won't do it. All right.
Harry Jacobs
But I heard back with the Journey piece that there was so much hatred for Steve Perry back in the day that when his microphone cord was somehow available for a roadie or another band member to get a hold of as he was singing, that they would try to sway the chord enabled, enabling him to trip while he was in the middle of his performance.
Giorgio Marauder
Oh, gosh.
Harry Jacobs
So I don't, I don't know if that's true, but I remember hearing that. And so it makes you think that, you know, there's a lot of high school in these bands basically over the years, you know, there's so much time together that there's so much on the road. There's so much ego. It probably all this stuff happens, probably more than we even ever find out about.
Giorgio Marauder
You know, sabotage. It's like, you know, cutting, you know, in a way this is over dramatized, but it's like cutting a brake line, you know, in someone's car. It's like we're going to do something to sabotage you, to make you.
Harry Jacobs
That's right. Look back to.
Giorgio Marauder
Look back.
Harry Jacobs
Yeah, yeah.
Giorgio Marauder
I'm gonna look into the thing with, with Journey because, you know, they were at the hall of Fame together, right? Everything looks good, Steve. Steve and Neil speak very highly of each other, but who knows? I mean, at the time it could have been, you know, he's, listen, he's a lead singer, didn't play an instrument. Probably ego involved.
Harry Jacobs
I'll bet over time they're like, geez, I really couldn't stand him during that period, but I'm not even sure why.
Giorgio Marauder
You know, and it's like, you know, Dennis D. Young and Sticks. You know, you listen in Tommy Shaw's description of that situation to me is, is great. It's like being married and sharing a kid with someone. When it was the description, I thought, boy, is that brilliant. It was like he. And he was married to Dennis De Young and the songs, all their great music were their kids and so they have shared custody. He's like, you know, you, you have to co parent, but you don't want to deal with that person. You don't want that person over at Thanksgiving. You don't want to spend holidays and all of that, and, and that may be an example too of, of this. But, you know, we're talking about tons and tons of ego, which makes me.
Harry Jacobs
Think about this band that we had him on. Taking a Walk. Had them on Music Saved Me. I don't know if you've heard of them, Harry, but they're a great sort of indie pop alternative band. They're called the Head and the Heart and they've been together a long time and they've had members who have left and some new members that have come in. They're a delightful band. Individually, they're delightful. But they admit in the conversation, particularly on the Music Saved Me episode, that unabashedly they talk about the fact that as a band, they have gone through therapy and they continue to go through therapy. So you wonder if they're on to something in terms of how to deal with the strife of, you know, creativity and the road. But, you know, or. And how many bands could have eliminated a lot of the heartache if they went through therapy?
Giorgio Marauder
You know, it's an interesting, an interesting thing to think about. And, and when you do think about how deeply personal the music itself is to these folks and the artists that are. Even, even if it's not, you know, even if it's a drummer or a bass player, it's still your piece of that performance of that song.
Harry Jacobs
You left your heart out there, you.
Giorgio Marauder
Know, and it doesn't go away. Right. This is your perspective on. Not your perspective, but your, your gift.
Harry Jacobs
Your forever out there.
Giorgio Marauder
Yeah, yeah. You don't get, you don't get to put the toothpaste back in the tube. You don't get to unring the bell.
Harry Jacobs
Right.
Giorgio Marauder
So it doesn't surprise me to hear that, you know, there's going to be strife still.
Harry Jacobs
Are they. They still, they still admit that they are. That's still part of them dealing with, you know, the rigors of the road.
Giorgio Marauder
It's. It's probably a healthy way to deal with things versus letting, letting the. Hit the fan. Right, as they say. Right. In 2014. Let's move on to. To this date, December 22nd. In 2014, Joe Cocker passed away at 70. 70 used to seem so old and now it, you know, me at 60 and you almost 70, you know, just probably months or a year or two away from 70. Doesn't seem that old, does it? Nah, go ahead, speak.
IBM AI Advertiser
It.
Giorgio Marauder
It really doesn't. Yeah. So Choke hawker at, at 70, he, you know, he had his battles over the years, but, you know, again, 70, it just doesn't Seem that old right now.
Harry Jacobs
Well, he certainly didn't take care of himself, so.
Giorgio Marauder
No, he did not. His performances were expressive and explosive. You know, the. The John Belushi imitation of Joe Cocker was so spot on and so great. You know, he did it for Joe. It was very funny.
Harry Jacobs
I saw. I saw Joe Cocker open for the Jefferson Airplane at the Fillmore East.
Giorgio Marauder
Oh, did you really?
Harry Jacobs
Yeah.
Giorgio Marauder
What year was that?
Harry Jacobs
69. I think the.
Giorgio Marauder
The first. The breakthrough for him was. Was With A Little Help from My Friends.
Harry Jacobs
Yeah, it was that first album. Yeah. Which I think was one of the first or second albums I ever bought as well.
Giorgio Marauder
That song ended up going on to. To be the theme for the TV show the Wonder Years. And then I think that the song that was his biggest hit was that duet from An Officer and a Gentleman up Where We Belong. And I. You know, I remember. I. I love that.
Harry Jacobs
Jennifer Warrens. Was that Jennifer Warren?
Giorgio Marauder
Exactly right. Exactly right. You're pop. See, you're in touch with pop music.
Harry Jacobs
I'm in touch with myself.
Giorgio Marauder
19. It was. It was our prom theme. Daugherty High School in Worcester, Mass. 1982. But an officer and a Gentleman, what a great movie that was. Richard Gere, Lou Gossett. I got nowhere else to go. Right. What a movie that was, Lou. Gossip was frightening in that, and Gear was great. So. But that's, you know, Joe Cocker, you know, really known for a lot of things, but those were the two big ones. Up Where We Belong with Jennifer Warrens and his cover of With a Little Help from my friends. So. 1979. The last number one record of the year in 1979 was Escape the Pina Colada song.
Harry Jacobs
Oh, yeah.
Giorgio Marauder
One of the worst songs of all.
Harry Jacobs
Time that tortured me because it was a. A point in time where I don't know why, I don't know who, but it was on the playlist at i95 there in Connecticut, and.
Giorgio Marauder
Really?
Harry Jacobs
Yeah, I don't know. I don't know. I. I don't know who to blame. I don't know if I'm to blame. I'm not sure. But it was part of the mix there, and it stuck out like a freaking sore thumb.
Giorgio Marauder
Yeah.
Harry Jacobs
Whoa.
Giorgio Marauder
What an awesome. This. Let's move on. December 23rd is Eddie Vedder's birthday. Born in 1964.
Harry Jacobs
He.
Giorgio Marauder
You know, what a. What a good dude. He seems like, you know, to me.
Harry Jacobs
Yeah, he.
Giorgio Marauder
He's a guy with an appreciation for those that have come before him, which is like. No, it's like Dave Grohl, in a way. Right. They're very similar like that.
Harry Jacobs
Yep.
Giorgio Marauder
Eddie's a huge Springsteen fan, was a huge Tom Petty fan. He's never shy about playing other people's music. And, you know, he is just a guy who. Who gives a shit. And he's present. He and Neil Young, their version of Rocking in the Free World, I mean, really kind of made him famous in a. In a way, in those circles. And his version of anything he's done by the who but Love, Rain or Me is legendary, man. He just belts it out. His anything he cover. Anything he covers, I think is great. The Waiting, his version of the Waiting with the Heartbreakers is amazing.
Harry Jacobs
I like the one too, from the Bear that he. He did the COVID of the English Beat song Save it for later, you.
Giorgio Marauder
Know, I have not seen the Bear.
Harry Jacobs
Yeah.
Giorgio Marauder
You know, obviously he's a. He's an important person to us and had a very good year this year. Right.
Harry Jacobs
Yeah. I just like how they twist up the soundtracks for that. That. That show and how you'll find something and you go, wait a minute, that sounds like Eddie Vedder doing the English Beat. And. And then the way that they intersperse it is brilliant on the show. But I. Yeah, Eddie Vedder strikes me as someone that when we're going to look back further, we're going to say, that's somebody that aged very gracefully in. In terms of his next chapters of life.
Giorgio Marauder
Yeah. And their music. It's funny, I. I've never seen them because I, you know, I tend to be someone who likes to, in general, hear the stuff. I know. And Pearl Jim, you know, is famous for playing, for going deep in. In shows, but. But there's not really anything. I can't justify that in my. In my own crazy mind, because when I hear him sing something, I'm always captivated by it. You know, whatever. Whatever the. It is. He did a. Did you watch the show Bad Monkey with Vince Vaughn?
Harry Jacobs
I. I tried to and did not. Didn't stick with it. And I love Vince Vaughn.
Giorgio Marauder
It's a very good show. And that. And that show, the soundtrack was.
Harry Jacobs
Was great. Soundtrack.
Giorgio Marauder
Yeah. All covers of Tom Petty songs. And, you know, you had Lar and Poe, who did a great version of Running Down a Dream.
Harry Jacobs
Yeah, tremendous.
Giorgio Marauder
Just a barn burner. But there's a version of Room at the Top, the Tom Petty song on there. That's the first song on the soundtrack and it's Eddie. And his version of Room at the Top is so beautiful. I mean, he really is just you know, he's got a gift.
Harry Jacobs
Oh, yeah.
Giorgio Marauder
He. He's like Neil Young in. In. In a way to me with what his voice does.
Harry Jacobs
Sure.
Giorgio Marauder
So I'm a big fan, but. December 23, 1964, Eddie Vedder's birthday. In 1964, Brian Wilson had a. A breakdown, had a mental health episode while on tour with the Beach Boys. They were out at Christmas time, and Glen Campbell stepped in to actually fill in for him. And, you know, I'm reminded of. Of Glenn. I was never a big country music fan when I was a young man. And when he passed away, I started to see all these tributes everywhere, and I had no idea what a legend he really was. Not just with country music, but as a guitar player. He was a guy that, you know, the more I looked into him, the more I realized there was nothing he couldn't do. He was like Roy Clark. We don't associate country music often with really amazing guitar players, and there are some amazing guitar players in. In country music. And of course, we're talking about time now with. With those two examples I gave you, Roy Clark and Glenn Campbell. But Glenn Campbell was a part of the Beach Boys before joining them in 64 because he was in the Wrecking Crew. So he was part of this group of guys, all men in one woman, that would play on the soundtrack of. Not the soundtrack, but play on all these albums with, you know, with different folks. The Monkeys and the Beach Boys.
Harry Jacobs
He.
Giorgio Marauder
He was on Sinatra sessions and Elvis movie Soundtra. And he. He played on. I think played on a couple Phil Spector soundtracks as well. But really, really great guitar player. So. But Brian Wilson had his breakdown at 64, and Glenn Campbell were kind of far off the. Off the topic there, But. But Brian had had an awful mental health episode. And, you know, this. I think this is around the time where he decided he didn't want to tour with the Beach Boys. He wanted the focus on the music. He wanted to focus on the production aspect of it and didn't want to be on the. He wasn't built for it. You know, he. What he was built for, writing and singing, wasn't really built for the touring and fame aspect of it.
Harry Jacobs
And sadly, it was only the beginning of his real severe health issues, really. You know.
Giorgio Marauder
Yeah. And his. You know, listen, we talked about this a lot. This is a. You know, he was in an abusive relationship at home. You know, his father. This was like, you know, Joe Jackson, Michael Jackson, Jackson's father. I mean, this is a guy who was, you know, who had Issues. Who was abusing his. His kids emotionally. Yep. And that's the toll that kind of abuse takes. So in 2007, on December 23, the police were named the highest earnings tour of that year. And, and of course, this was kind of long after the breakup. This was the reunion in, in 2007. But they, you know, it was 30 years after the band's inception and, and their first reunion in 24, 25 years at that point. And, and I saw that. I saw that tour. They were, they were here in, in Vegas. They did a show, did 150 plus shows around the world, and they made about three. Almost $400 million that year.
Harry Jacobs
Not a bad little payday.
Giorgio Marauder
No. Do you ever get a chance to see them in their. In their heyday or on the reunion?
Harry Jacobs
Not on the reunion, but in the heyday. And saw him a number of times. Saw Sting solo as well. And great shows, you know, just solid, you know, beginning to end. Great catalog. Great experience, for sure.
Giorgio Marauder
In 2002, Sir Paul McCartney was granted his own coat of arms by the College of Arms. I cannot answer any questions for you about the Coat of Arms or the College of Arms. You'll have anyone listening. You got to do that research on your own. I started to go down the rabbit hole, and I thought, I just means nothing to me. But it's Paul McCartney. It's another award for, for Paul McCartney, who we love.
Harry Jacobs
That's right.
Giorgio Marauder
In 1967, Elton John and Bernie Taupin met for the first time. And. And this was the beginning of a relationship that has lasted, at this point, 58 years or something along those lines. I was told there'd be no math today. And I was born in 66, and I'm going to be 60, so 59 years. You were told there was going to.
Harry Jacobs
Be no math, right?
Giorgio Marauder
I was told there'd be no math when I woke up. Will it be math today or will there be no math? I was told there would be. I answer that question. I asked that question every day. Math today or no math?
Harry Jacobs
Every day should be a potentially no math day, but it just doesn't work that way.
Giorgio Marauder
Yeah, I prefer no math or to have my phone nearby. In 2020, Leslie west, the lead singer and guitarist for Mountain, passed away of a heart attack. This was, you know, sad passing. I. I didn't know much about Mountain Beyond Mississippi Queen, you.
Harry Jacobs
Theme from an Imaginary Western was the other.
Giorgio Marauder
Okay, yeah, all right. I. I don't. Did we play that song ever at zlx or did you. I would imagine in Your career. You played it somewhere, but I don't remember. It doesn't even ring a bell with me.
Harry Jacobs
I think it showed up on the T of A to z on WNEW FM's A to Z. Gotcha.
Giorgio Marauder
All right. So obscure. They covered some obscure stuff on those lists.
Harry Jacobs
Oh, yeah.
Giorgio Marauder
1988, December 24th, Christmas Eve, Nirvana began recording Bleach, their debut album. And About A Girl was, was probably the biggest song on, on that album.
Harry Jacobs
Fun time to start recording, right?
Giorgio Marauder
I, I, I, I'm looking at that. I was looking at this as I was getting prepared and I thought, why do you start something on Christmas Eve?
Harry Jacobs
Yeah, why not? I don't know.
Giorgio Marauder
Yeah. In 1965, Rubber Soul was number one.
Harry Jacobs
All worlds come back to the Beatles and number one somehow.
Giorgio Marauder
Yeah, absolutely. And in 76, Hotel California spent the first of eight weeks at the top of the charts, inside the top 200. The album was on and off. They weren't eight consecutive weeks, but Hotel California was up there. It was an important album that came out around the end of the year in 1976. So legendary album.
Harry Jacobs
The rest is history.
Giorgio Marauder
That is, that is it. December 25th, Christmas Day, James Brown died of pneumonia. And we could talk about James, just an amazing artist who tragically went off the rails, kind of all tying back out to mental health and, and drug use or abuse. I just got done watching the Eddie Murphy documentary called Being Eddie, which I thought was fantastic.
Harry Jacobs
Me too.
Giorgio Marauder
He's so articulate.
Harry Jacobs
He loves, he loves some Eddie, though.
Giorgio Marauder
He does. And, and that's okay, right? There's a healthy, you know, he's, he says that, he says, I, you know, I love myself. I, you know, and, but it's one of those things where you, when I heard it, I thought, boy, that's a ridiculous thing to say. Could I ever get away with saying that? And I thought, no. He says it very well. I don't think he said anything that was out of place or was wrong. Right. I mean, the guy's a, you know, he's a stud.
Harry Jacobs
Yeah. It's a great documentary. And your reference point is him playing James Brown.
Giorgio Marauder
Yeah. And the conversation that he talks about in the dressing room with Chris Rock and I think Dave Chappelle, where they, I can't use the word, but they're, you know, Eddie is describing this conversation he had with James Brown and James Brown's wife and them not believing that Eddie actually had a million dollars. And James Brown says, essentially, any man of color that has a million dollars needs to pick up the Phone and call the bank and go get it and bury it in his yard because, you know, the government's gonna take it. That's right. And Eddie said, well, why, you know, why would I bury it in my backyard? The government could take my land. He said, yeah, but they won't know where it's buried.
Grainger Advertiser
Right.
Giorgio Marauder
James Brown was just out of his mind. And, you know, a little plug for the Eddie. Doc, watch it if you're a fan of Fantastic.
Harry Jacobs
Especially the way it ends is.
Giorgio Marauder
Oh, yeah.
Harry Jacobs
Unbelievable.
Giorgio Marauder
Absolutely. It's great. By the way, James didn't trust anyone, obviously. The statement I just relayed and that we heard in the documentary, self explanatory. He didn't trust anyone. He lost money. Tons of bad business deals. And, you know, he. He had a bad run. Hugely talented guy, but he made some. He made some bad decisions and he lit himself on fire and he was a bad drug user and he struggled. It's unfortunate because his talent was amazing. Oh, yeah.
Harry Jacobs
And I mean, just what a Persona, too. What a.
Giorgio Marauder
Absolutely.
Harry Jacobs
What a person. What a leader of a band.
Giorgio Marauder
Oh, yeah.
Harry Jacobs
I'm not sure it was the best for him to have the. The finding process that he had for his, his band members.
Giorgio Marauder
Yeah.
Harry Jacobs
But yet he wanted to get the most out of them, so that was his way of making sure that he did. He always wanted his money on the fines. He held his hand out in the middle of the show. At the end of the show, he wanted that money.
Giorgio Marauder
What Buzz is referring to is if someone in the band made a mistake, whatever that mistake may be, there would be. It's like a swear jar.
Harry Jacobs
Oh, yeah, right.
Giorgio Marauder
You know, you, you, you had to put your money in and. Or, or you were, you were out. He was meticulous in how he wanted things done for sure. And, you know, it is what it is. I don't know that I ever would have survived working for him, but any of us would. But. But he did what he did. 1982, David Bowley and Bing Crosby had the number one hit in the United Kingdom with Peace on Earth and the Little Drummer Boy. Kind of an interesting pairing, those two. So great.
Harry Jacobs
Yeah, great. It was bold, as Bowie always was. And you know, the song, when it would come out this time of year and be played.
Giorgio Marauder
Oh, yeah.
Harry Jacobs
To this day. Still sounds odd, but absolutely. It was. It was Bowie doing what he wanted to do.
Giorgio Marauder
1995, Dean Martin died. Half of Martin and Lewis with Jerry Lewis. I remember when, you know, Jerry Lewis died, he was kind of a neighbor. He lived a couple miles up the road. And I remember it was sad. There were all these little yellow and black signs on light poles near where I live and up and down Eastern Avenue. And in Henderson, here outside of Las Vegas, Jerry Lewis estate sale at the house. You could go to the house.
Harry Jacobs
That's crazy.
Giorgio Marauder
At any rate, he was a, a partner of the legendary Dean Martin who, as I understand it, played a drunk boat. Never really drank a lot.
Harry Jacobs
Yeah, there's as legend would have it, as they say.
Giorgio Marauder
That's right.
Harry Jacobs
Allegedly, as legend would have it, allegedly. That's not true.
Giorgio Marauder
Yeah. All right. 1970, December 26th, my sweet lord began a four week run at number one, one of the sweetest songs of all time. In, in my opinion, he was the first Beetle to have a number one song after the Beatles broke out. Great song, great song. 1981, AC DC ran for three weeks at number one. For those about to rock. I remember road tripping from Worcester to the Providence Civic Center. We sat in the ninth row. The cannons that went off and the big bell that was there. I mean it was, it was, it still to this day was the loudest thing I've ever experienced and, and I will never forget it for, for as long as I live. I was an AC DC nut. I was 16 or 17 years old or something. 16 years old probably at the time.
Harry Jacobs
Did you wear the shorts like they.
Giorgio Marauder
Did the Angus's shorts? No, no, I didn't.
Harry Jacobs
But would you consider that now I.
Giorgio Marauder
That would be a ridiculous look for me right now. I, I no more ridiculous than angus looks now 70 wearing it. It's not a, it's not what we would call a flattering look at whole. I can't, you know, there's been a bunch of stuff, you know, social media is just the worst for these poor guys that are out there doing it. But there's, you know, isolated stuff of his singing, you know, background or playing and.
Harry Jacobs
Well, I want to talk about that because, because I had specific commentary from a bunch of different people locally and then, you know, elsewhere nationally that saw ACDC on this last round of shows and absolutely just like loved it and had no problem with it. Now granted, these were big stadium shows, so you don't really see the warts, but they love the experience. And then after that show, those shows or after they're off the road, then this stuff starts surfacing to really expose it as not being that great musically. I don't know what to believe, you know, because I know these people who went to the show, spent money, spent real money to Go on there. They didn't get free tickets like we used to in radio. They spent money and that was an experience. That was their one or two shows that they would go to every year and they absolutely loved it. So I don't know what to believe at this point.
Giorgio Marauder
First of all, a night out at a concert is, is, is an ordeal. That's a couple hundred bucks anyway. Right? Without dinner. Right. Just the tickets alone, nevermind parking and you know, maybe buying a shirt or a couple of drinks or whatever. It's an expensive ordeal, number one. Number two, addressing your issue directly. We are in a place and a time in our world where people just cannot shut the F up. Honestly. I mean, we are in a place where if someone is having some success, there is no shortage of people lurking around the corner laying in wait, if you will. True to cut them down. True. Right. I mean I'm, I'm a. I would love to have seen AC DC but I wasn't going to pay 300 bucks a ticket to go down to the MGM and fuss with parking in the Strip and, and all of that for, for a decent seat. The video I saw of the show and I, you know, I literally, I mean I follow them. I. After that first show I was looking on social media for, you know, for YouTube or for Instagram for clips to see how they sounded and what they look like. And listen, they're, you know, they're 70 years old. Plus, what did you think Angus Young is going to look like? He's not going to look like when we saw him on, on. For those about the Rock or you know what, what do you think you're going to get? You're going to get a guy who's, you know, who's older. It's not as bad as Frankie Valli. Right? But it's not Angus 1981. Have you seen, by the way, have you seen the Frankie Valley stuff?
Harry Jacobs
Yeah, I have. I think he should adopt the shorts that, that Angus, the, the, those shorts.
Giorgio Marauder
He needs to retire. That's one where I go, okay, you got a point. But back to AC dc There's no shortage of people trying to cut people down. I mean they're doing shows, they're doing huge stadium shows and the music sounds.
Harry Jacobs
Good and people love it.
Giorgio Marauder
So yeah, why not give them a break? Yeah. The cancel culture needs to go away. Needs to be, needs to be canceled. In 68, Led Zepp went on their first tour in the US they were supporting for Vanilla Fudge and Spirit.
Harry Jacobs
Isn't that crazy? Think about that. Yeah, yeah.
Giorgio Marauder
It is crazy. Insane really when you think about it and what they became. December 26th is also Boxing Day in the UK and I really, I never paid attention. I never really dug into it. But Boxing Day is kind of interesting. The origins are that it comes out of wealthy families. It came out of wealthy families in the United Kingdom that it was the day after Christmas where they would literally box up gifts and leftovers and money for their servants and tradespeople and postmen. And it's something that's still recognized today. It's the biggest shopping day of the year in the United Kingdom. It's bigger than Black Friday is here and you know, it's a, it's a big deal. I was curious about it and it did a little research. I'm ready for the, I'm ready for the test.
Harry Jacobs
You know, when I thought you said Boxing Day, I thought you were going to go back to your, you know, your Mike Tyson days, you know, taking boxing lessons from them.
Giorgio Marauder
Yeah, no, this is, this is the holiday Boxing Day. Nothing to do with Mike Tyson.
Harry Jacobs
There you go.
Giorgio Marauder
Couple more stories for the week. December 27, Scott Wy and passed away a couple days after Christmas in 2015. Sad day for, for him and his family and the STP fans. Just a bad day. And Queen. This is interesting. There's a little Queen info I didn't know. They get their first number one album Night at the Opera in 1975 and and Bohemian Rhapsody and you're My best Friend are on that. The album was reported to be at the time the most expensive album ever done. And they took the title. Here's what I didn't know. They took the title from the Marx Brothers movie A Night at the Opera.
Harry Jacobs
Oh, there you go.
Giorgio Marauder
And. And they did it again with the follow up which was A Day at the Races. I had no idea.
Harry Jacobs
There you go. I didn't either.
Giorgio Marauder
That they were Marx Brothers fans. I have a new appreciation for Queen to go in 69. Led Zeppelin 2 knocked Abby Road out of the number one spot. The number one Billboard album chart. And Double Fantasy began its eight week run at number one. I, you know, I, I went back to listen to last week's this Week in Music history on Monday, November 8th. And you know, was thinking about John Lennon and then realized, you know, that how big, you know, Double Fantasy ended up becoming obviously as a result. And literally a week later it began eight weeks at, at number one this week.
Harry Jacobs
Great, great work, great music.
Giorgio Marauder
Yeah, right. Mark Knoffler's birthday, 1952. And just a couple more things. December 28th, Beatles White Album hit number one in 68. This was an interesting album because it wasn't titled the White Album. Think about this. It was there. I want to. Let me just get this right. It's album number nine, and it was just titled the Beatles, but it was named by all of us fans, the White Album. Have you gotten the White Album yet? The White Album appears nowhere in on that album at all.
Harry Jacobs
What else you gonna call it?
Giorgio Marauder
Yeah, you're just gonna call it that. And in 1983, on this day, and this is kind of an ironic thing, one of two members of the Beach Boys that were actual surfers, Dennis Wilson drowned on. On this day. Right. Brian and Carl. Carl was the only. I think that. That Dennis and Carl were the only two members that actually surfed and were. Were strong swim. And Wilson. Dennis Wilson actually was diving off the back of a friend's boat to grab something that had fallen into the water and never, never came back up. That's crazy. In Marina Del Rey, which is a beautiful place. And with that sad story, that's the week ending December 28th, this Week in Music history.
Harry Jacobs
It's quite a week, you would think around the holidays it cools down, but it doesn't. There's always things happening. There's always mayhem.
Giorgio Marauder
Yeah. And. And again, I, you know, a couple weeks ago I said to you, we're getting to that point where I was thinking maybe we rerun something from last year or the year, you know what I mean, we run something else. And then as I began to do the research again, I found different stuff to talk about. And next week is the same thing. The week of. Of New Year's, the week between Christmas and New Year's, there's a lot of stuff to talk about that I didn't realize we never found last year.
Harry Jacobs
As long as we don't go disco heavy.
Giorgio Marauder
Listen, I am the master of music mayhem. I am the curator of content for this week in Music History. Need I go on? I can go James Brown on this if you want.
Harry Jacobs
You don't. No fines necessary.
Giorgio Marauder
The curator of content. There might be something disco. We'll figure it out. I'll tease you. We're going to talk Bo Diddley and we're going to talk Jimi Hendrix a little bit during the week of 29th January 4th. Next week on this Week in Music History.
Harry Jacobs
All right, well, thank you, Giorgio Marauder, and thank you, master of music mayhem, Harry Jacobs. And thanks to all of you for listening to this week in music history for the week of December 22nd.
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Giorgio Marauder
All.
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Giorgio Marauder
And Doug. Oh, what a horrible call. Hey ref.
Harry Jacobs
Open your eyes, ref.
Giorgio Marauder
You're really not gonna call? Come on. Hey ref, why don't you customize your car insurance with Liberty Mutual and save money? I don't think you get what we're doing. Sure I do. We're all just giving him advice. You guys on sports, me on saving money. Nope, that's not it. Only pay for what you need@libertymutual.com Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.
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Giorgio Marauder
This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.
Aired: December 22, 2025
Hosts: Giorgio Marauder & Harry Jacobs
This year-end episode of "Takin’ A Walk" offers an entertaining and insightful walk through pivotal moments in music history for the week of December 22nd. Hosts Giorgio Marauder and Harry Jacobs blend deep music knowledge, behind-the-scenes stories, and witty banter as they explore significant artist anniversaries, legendary album releases, band drama, personal anecdotes, and reflections on the enduring struggles and camaraderie that shape the world of music.
James Brown & Leadership:
David Bowie & Bing Crosby: Unlikely but iconic pairing on “Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy” (1982 UK #1).
Dean Martin: Persistent legend about his “drunk” act; the hosts share a grin about whether it was real.
George Harrison: "My Sweet Lord" begins four-week run at #1 in 1970; first Beatle solo chart-topper.
AC/DC concerts: Discussion on age in rock—differences between in-person vs. social media perceptions, and whether legacy acts deserve criticism for “not sounding like they used to.”
Led Zeppelin: Opened its first US tour supporting Vanilla Fudge and Spirit (Dec 26, 1968)—a fun and humbling fact.
Boxing Day origins (UK’s Dec 26): Charity tradition; now UK’s biggest shopping day—hosts enjoy learning and sharing cultural lore.
“He died taking a walk... how eerie is that?”
Giorgio Marauder (on Joe Strummer), 05:14
“The master of music mayhem—he suddenly appears!”
Harry Jacobs (joking intro), 03:02
“I don't think I would know a Depeche Mode song if it came on the radio right now... I was never into that new wavy thing.”
Giorgio Marauder, 04:19
“Candle in the Wind... after Princess Diana, it was just overkill. Hearing that song over and over, it lost its luster with me.”
Giorgio Marauder, 06:41
“It's like being married and sharing a kid with someone... all their great music were their kids and so they have shared custody.”
Giorgio Marauder (on Tommy Shaw’s Stix analogy), 13:24
“They admit... they continue to go through therapy. So you wonder if they're on to something in terms of how to deal with the strife…”
Harry Jacobs (on The Head and the Heart), 15:01
“Frankie Valli… should adopt the Angus Young shorts.”
Harry Jacobs, 38:48
“First of all, a night out at a concert is an ordeal. That’s a couple hundred bucks, without dinner, never mind parking and a shirt...”
Giorgio Marauder, 37:12
"Boxing Day is kind of interesting... it was the day after Christmas where they would literally box up gifts and leftovers for their servants and tradespeople."
Giorgio Marauder, 39:30
Casual, knowledgeable, friendly, and often tongue-in-cheek. The hosts mix reverence for music history with playful jabs, personal stories, and honest critiques, making the episode both fun and informative.
This week’s episode is a rich tapestry of rock’s milestones and mysteries, from the deaths of Joe Strummer and Dennis Wilson, to tales of musical egos, band drama, and the healing powers of therapy. The hosts dig deep into the meaning of band loyalty, highlight pivotal albums, and debate the passage of time—with plenty of wry asides and cultural trivia. For anyone who loves classic rock, artist lore, and the human side behind the music, this episode is a must-catch walk down memory lane.