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List of Blue Öyster Cult members

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Three lineups of Blue Öyster Cult in 1977 (top), 2008 (middle) and 2016 (bottom).

Blue Öyster Cult is an American hard rock band from Long Island, New York. Formed in 1967 as Soft White Underbelly under the guidance of manager Sandy Pearlman and writer Richard Meltzer, the original lineup of the group included guitarist and vocalist Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser, keyboardist John Wiesenthal, bassist and backing vocalist Andrew Winters, and drummer and backing vocalist Albert Bouchard.[1] Wiesenthal was replaced quickly by Allen Lanier, while Les Braunstein was brought in later as the band's first lead vocalist.[1] Braunstein was replaced by Eric Bloom in mid-1969, during which time the band changed name twice – first to Oaxaca and later to Stalk-Forrest Group.[1] Winters was replaced in the summer of 1970 by Albert's brother Joe Bouchard,[2] and the following year the group settled on the name Blue Öyster Cult.[1]

The lineup of Blue Öyster Cult remained stable for over ten years, during which time the band released its most commercially successful material.[1] However, in August 1981 Albert Bouchard was fired after a show for turning up late on several recent occasions.[3] He was replaced by Rick Downey, who had been working as the band's crew chief and lighting designer.[4] Downey remained with the group until January 1985,[4] after which Bouchard returned for a short run of shows in February before Jimmy Wilcox joined in April.[5] Lanier was also replaced by Tommy Zvoncheck at around the same time.[1][6] Joe Bouchard left the following year after playing his last show in February, with Jon Rogers taking his place.[7] After touring until September, Blue Öyster Cult began a temporary hiatus which would ultimately last less than a year.[8]

Upon receiving an offer to tour in Greece, Blue Öyster Cult reformed in 1987 with returning keyboardist Lanier and new drummer Ron Riddle.[8][9] The band's next studio album, Imaginos, was originally recorded as an Albert Bouchard solo album, but was later reworked and released by the band.[8] Riddle left in May 1991 and was replaced the following month by Chuck Burgi.[9][10] John Miceli briefly substituted for Burgi in May 1992,[11] and in September 1995 the drummer left the band to join Rainbow.[10] Rogers also left in April, with Greg Smith taking his place until Danny Miranda took over in August.[12][13] John O'Reilly joined on drums in September, but would only remain until the following August when Burgi returned.[14][10] Miceli returned for a string of shows in early 1997, before Bobby Rondinelli joined in February.[15]

After contributing to three studio albums – Heaven Forbid in 1998, Curse of the Hidden Mirror in 2001 and A Long Day's Night in 2002 – Miranda and Rondinelli left Blue Öyster Cult in September 2004, the former joining Miceli in the band for the Las Vegas production of the We Will Rock You musical and the latter joining The Lizards full-time.[16] Miranda was replaced by Richie Castellano, while Jules Radino took Rondinelli's place.[17] Lanier played his last show as a member of Blue Öyster Cult in November 2006, retiring from all recording and touring shortly after.[18] Castellano took over Lanier's role in the band,[19] while bass was handled briefly by returning members Miranda followed by Rogers, before Rudy Sarzo joined in June.[20] Sarzo remained until 2012, when he and the band decided to part ways.[21] Kasim Sulton took Sarzo's place, remaining with the band until early 2017 when Miranda returned.[22][13]

Members

Current

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Blue Öyster Cult - Wacken Open Air 2016 01.jpg
 Buck Dharma
(Donald Roeser)
  • 1967–1986
  • 1987–present
all Blue Öyster Cult releases
Blue Öyster Cult - Wacken Open Air 2016 02.jpg
 Eric Bloom
  • 1969–1986
  • 1987–present
DannyMiranda.jpg
 Danny Miranda
  • 1995–2004
  • 2007

  • 2017–present
Blue Öyster Cult - Wacken Open Air 2016 06.jpg
 Richie Castellano 2004–present
none to date
Blue Öyster Cult - Wacken Open Air 2016 07.jpg
 Jules Radino

Former

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Blue Oyster Cult 1977 publicity photo.jpg
 Albert Bouchard
  • 1967–1981
  • 1985
  • drums
  • backing vocals
  • percussion
Andrew Winters 1967–1970
  • bass
  • backing vocals
 St. Cecilia: The Elektra Recordings (2001)
John Wiesenthal 1967 keyboards none
Blue Öyster Cult Lanier cropped.jpg
 Allen Lanier
  • 1967–1985
  • 1987–2007
  • 2012
    (died 2013)
  • keyboards
  • rhythm guitar
  • backing vocals
 all Blue Öyster Cult releases except Club Ninja (1985)
Les Braunstein 1967–1969
  • lead vocals
  • stun guitar
 none
Blue Oyster Cult 1977 publicity photo.jpg
 Joe Bouchard 1970–1986
  • bass
  • backing vocals
 all Blue Öyster Cult releases from Blue Öyster Cult (1972) to Live 1976 (1991)
Rick Downey 1981–1985
  • drums
  • percussion
Tommy Zvoncheck 1985–1986
  • keyboards
  • synthesizers
  • Club Ninja (1985)
  • Imaginos (1988)
Jimmy Wilcox
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing vocals
 Club Ninja (1985)
Jon Rogers - Blue Oyster Cult.jpg
 Jon Rogers
  • 1986

  • 1987–1995
  • 2007
  • bass
  • backing vocals
Ron Riddle 1987–1991
  • drums
  • percussion
 none
Chuck Burgi.jpg
 Chuck Burgi
  • 1991–1992
  • 1992–1995
  • 1996–1997
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing vocals
  • Cult Classic (1994)
  • Heaven Forbid (1998)
John Miceli
  • 1992
  • 1997
  • drums
  • percussion
 none
Greg_Smith_(with_Ted_Nugent).jpg
 Greg Smith 1995
  • bass
  • backing vocals
John O'Reilly 1995–1996
  • drums
  • percussion
OTR smiles.jpg
 Bobby Rondinelli 1997–2004
  • Heaven Forbid (1998)
  • Curse of the Hidden Mirror (2001)
  • A Long Day's Night (2002)
RudySarzo.jpg
 Rudy Sarzo 2007–2012
  • bass
  • backing vocals
 none
Kasim-sulton-with-the-new-cars.jpg
 Kasim Sulton 2012–2017

Timeline

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Ruhlmann, William. "Blue Öyster Cult: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  2. ^ "Joe Bouchard". Blue Öyster Cult. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  3. ^ Sleazegrinder (August 1, 2014). "Blue Öyster Cult: "They wanted us to be the American Black Sabbath"". TeamRock. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Rick Downey". Blue Öyster Cult. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  5. ^ "Jimmy Wilcox". Blue Öyster Cult. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  6. ^ "Tommy Zvoncheck". Blue Öyster Cult. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  7. ^ "Jon Rogers". Blue Öyster Cult. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  8. ^ a b c "The History of Blue Öyster Cult: 1986-present". Blue Öyster Cult. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  9. ^ a b "Ron Riddle". Blue Öyster Cult. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  10. ^ a b c "Chuck Bürgi". Blue Öyster Cult. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  11. ^ "John Miceli". Blue Öyster Cult. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  12. ^ "Greg Smith". Blue Öyster Cult. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  13. ^ a b "Danny Miranda". Blue Öyster Cult. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  14. ^ "John O'Reilly". Blue Öyster Cult. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  15. ^ "Bobby Rondinelli". Blue Öyster Cult. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  16. ^ "Blue Oyster Cult Bassist, Drummer Leave Band". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. September 16, 2004. Retrieved November 3, 2017. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ "Blue Oyster Cult - 5 - 2 + 2 - 5. Got It?". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. October 11, 2004. Retrieved November 3, 2017. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ Browne, David (August 15, 2013). "Blue Oyster Cult Co-Founder Allen Lanier Dead at 67". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 3, 2017. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ "Richie Castellano". Blue Öyster Cult. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  20. ^ "Rudy Sarzo Joins Blue Öyster Cult For 'Balance Of 2007'". Blabbermouth.net. June 12, 2007. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  21. ^ Wardlaw, Matt (July 1, 2012). "Blue Oyster Cult Bassist Rudy Sarzo Announces Departure". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  22. ^ "Blue Oyster Cult bassist Rudy Sarzo quits". Music-News.com. July 3, 2012. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
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