Blue Öyster Cult

On tour

Pictures

BOCfiles_01-08

Listen to, buy or share

Buy

Tags

Everyone’s tags

More tags

Biography

Long Island, New York, United States (1967 – present)

Blue Öyster Cult is a renowned hard rock/heavy metal band which formed in 1967 in Long Island, New York, United States. The band is led by founding members Eric Bloom (vocals, guitar) and Buck Dharma (guitar, vocals). They are best known for their hit singles “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” and “Burnin’ for You”.

The members of the band began to come together in the late 1960s, as a band called Soft White Underbelly, in the vicinity of Stony Brook University on Long Island, New York, at the prompting of critic Sandy Pearlman. Pearlman was very influential for the band, getting them gigs, their first record with Columbia, and using his poetry as the basis of many of their songs, including “Astronomy”. The band changed its name to the Stalk-Forrest Group in 1968. One single was released on Elektra Records under this name in 1969, though over one album of material was recorded. The name changed once more, to Blue Oyster Cult, in 1970. The umlaut was added later that year. They became a successful heavy metal band during the 1970s, and unlike many of their colleagues are still active today.

They are best known for three songs: their 1976 single “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” from the album Agents of Fortune (also featured in the cult movie Halloween, and in Stephen King’s novel The Stand), “Godzilla” (1977) from the album Spectres and their 1981 single “Burnin’ for You” from the album Fire of Unknown Origin.

Videos

Top Albums

Events

Add event

Listening Trend

825,415listeners all time
11,070,366scrobbles all time
Recent listeners trend:

Start scrobbling and track your listening history

Last.fm users scrobble the music they play in iTunes, Spotify, Rdio and over 200 other music players.

Create a Last.fm profile

Shoutbox

Leave a comment. Log in to Last.fm or sign up.
  • VinnieIcius

    Into the Whirlpooooool

    8 minutes ago Reply
  • FjordSweetFjord

    Seen them six times, never miss a gig. Buck's one of my biggest influences as a guitarist.

    20 May 4:40am Reply
  • duduraphael

    TOOOOK MY BABE AWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY

    11 May 12:57pm Reply
  • RockWinsFOAD

    Hitler's on the phone from Berlin says I'm gonna make you a star!

    29 Apr 9:55pm Reply
  • RiskGrave

    Saw them play their first ever Aussie show in Brisbane a week or two back...Simply amazing, as were the Flamin' Groovies and Hoodoo Gurus who played on the same bill. The best show I've ever been to, hands down.

    28 Apr 9:35am Reply
  • fullhellse

    Perfect for certain moments.

    25 Apr 8:05am Reply
  • davesantos

    they're so great... wish i could see them again... one of the greatest concerts of my life.

    17 Apr 9:18pm Reply
  • BMWPRETTY

    Nice! Godzilla Rocks! SPANK!

    17 Apr 7:06am Reply
  • KundK

    BÖC fans should check out "Infestissumam", the new album by a Swedish heavy metal band Ghost. A perfect companion to "Fire of Unknown Origin" and "Revolution by Night". Deceptively sweet melodies with menacing undertones. Supersimilar sound and vibe, but for some reason only flagged as "medium similarity".

    15 Apr 1:01am Reply
  • BMWPRETTY

    Home is in the Valley! Burn out the day and Night! Whooo! Im am burning for you! Spank! Time is the season! Time is on my side! Yeah!

    12 Apr 9:28am Reply
  • belphegoria

    @cogira94: It's sad to know that not that may people know the genius of this entire band because of "Don't Fear The Reaper" and to lesser degree "Burnin' For You". One of the most underrated acts of that era of rock music.

    10 Apr 10:03pm Reply
  • drupaceous

    while i was asleep i scrobbled 8 blue oyster cult plays. weird because i don't have any blue oyster cult on my computer???? spooky ~'-'~

    9 Apr 3:45pm Reply
  • layonss

    "...Joan Crawford has risen from the grave..."

    7 Apr 3:35pm Reply
  • jazzthieve

    Spotify Playlist: Classic Rock

    3 Apr 8:37pm Reply
  • SixBurningWings

    And Don't fear the reaper is one of their weakest songs! <---- Nope. But it's quite different in feeling and tone.

    22 Mar 7:18pm Reply
  • cogira94

    It's sad to know that not many people notice the genius on their first 3 alums because of Don't Fear the Reaper.

    21 Mar 11:31pm Reply
  • The_Gudok

    One of the most creative bands in the world! And Don't fear the reaper is one of their weakest songs!

    19 Mar 11:36am Reply
  • ashgan77

    Doon't fear the reaper...

    15 Mar 7:56pm Reply
  • rOnieAirhead

    I love the Night's their best song.

    4 Mar 1:26pm Reply
  • MadThrasher678

    We understand We understand We understand

    28 Feb 4:22am Reply
  • All 1118 shouts

Listening Now

Top Listeners

Email Newsletter

Universal Music Group Get exclusive tour, release & promotion updates on Blue Öyster Cult from Universal Music.