RIP and Don't Fear the Reaper... Allen Lanier of Blue Öyster Cult


Guitarist and keyboardist Allen Lanier, one of the founding members of Blue Öyster Cult, passed away yesterday from complications from C.O.P.D. He leaves behind a legacy of music which is vastly more rich and varied than many people can appreciate.

Allen Lanier joined the band in 1967 when they were known as Soft White Underbelly. He would go on to perform on all of Blue Öyster Cult's best known albums and biggest hits. This performance of "Joan Crawford" from 1981 gives you an excellent view of his keyboard skills.



Lanier wrote one of my personal favorite BÖC album cuts; the song "In Thee," track 3 from side 1 of the Mirrors album.



Lanier sang lead vocals on another of his creations; the song "True Confessions" from Blue Öyster Cult's Agents of Fortune album.



Thank you for the music, Allen. Rest in Peace and don't fear the Reaper...




Photo credit: "Allen Lanier of the American Hard Rock band Blue Öyster Cult playing live in 2006". Photo by otama and used under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.



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