Blue Öyster Cult
Hard Rock
The next Blue Öyster Cult concert is scheduled for Thursday, July 3, 2025 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL, United States. See all 13 upcoming concerts
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![Watch Astronomy ((Imaginos Version) [Spoken Intro by Stephen King]) music video by Blue Öyster Cult](/mkimage/image/thumb/Video7/v4/a0/58/62/a058626a-0d92-60a6-f525-ad308891f40d/dj.cttpoqrq.jpg/575x575mv.webp "Watch Astronomy ((Imaginos Version) [Spoken Intro by Stephen King]) music video by Blue Öyster Cult")
About Blue Öyster Cult
Hometown
Stony Brook, NY, United States
Formed
1967
Genre
Hard Rock
After rock journalist Sandy Pearlman overheard guitarist Buck Dharma and friends jamming at a house near New York’s Stony Brook University, he offered to become their manager and named the group Soft White Underbelly.
∙ Derived from Pearlman’s poetry, the name Blue Öyster Cult refers to a sect of aliens covertly guiding our planet’s history.
∙ After the release of the band’s debut album, they developed a flair for showmanship by touring with Alice Cooper.
∙ The Platinum-selling Agents of Fortune became their biggest album, spawning “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” which Rolling Stone ranks among the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
∙ Blue Öyster Cult was one of the first bands to experiment with laser-light shows at their concerts.
∙ Originally intended for Dharma’s solo album, “Burnin’ for You” became a Top 40 hit for the band, while its video received constant play on the then-recently launched MTV.
∙ Richard Meltzer, known as the father of rock criticism, wrote lyrics for Blue Öyster Cult songs, as did Patti Smith, who dated BÖC keyboardist/guitarist Allen Lanier.
∙ The band’s literate songwriting and relationships with famous authors led to their reputation as “the thinking man’s heavy metal band.”
∙ In 2000, Saturday Night Live aired its classic “More Cowbell” sketch—a Behind the Music-style account of the recording sessions for “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper.”
∙ Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Alice in Chains are among the legions of hard rock and heavy metal artists that Blue Öyster Cult has influenced.
Members of Blue Öyster Cult include, or have included, Buck Dharma, Eric Bloom, Greg Smith, Albert Bouchard, Kasim Sulton, Rudy Sarzo, Joe Bouchard, Richie Castellano, Al Pitrelli, Thommy Price, Danny Miranda, Bobby Rondinelli, Chuck Burgi, Ron Riddle, Jimmy Wilcox, and Tommy Zvoncheck.
Musical InfluencesBlue Öyster Cult's musical influences include The Electric Flag, Deep Purple, The Beatles and more.
Influenced by Blue Öyster CultBlue Öyster Cult has influenced the music of Soundgarden, Twisted Sister, The Smashing Pumpkins and more.
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