Blue Oyster Cult to bring ’70s rock to State Theatre
Fayette County has a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. Blue Oyster Cult, best known for such hits as “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” “Burnin’ for You” and “Godzilla,” is set to play at the State Theatre Center for the Arts on East Main Street at 8 p.m. Saturday.
State Theatre Executive Director Marty Schiff said he is looking forward to the 1970s stadium rockers bringing a new sound to the theater.
“I think they touch an audience that’s still pretty large out there – that ’70s rock audience,'” Schiff said. “We haven’t really done any programming specifically for that audience.
“We’ve done oldies, we’ve done ’60s, and we’ve done soft rock with the Grass Roots and Three Dog Night,” he added. Basically, we just decided to give that segment of audience a program to come and enjoy at the State Theatre.”
Formed in 1967 in Long Island, N.Y., Blue Oyster Cult went through several temporary names before finally settling on their peculiar moniker in 1970. By touring with the likes of Alice Cooper and the Byrds, the band began to build fans across the country.
In 1976, the band released “Agents of Fortune,” which would become their first gold album. “Agents of Fortune” contained the hit single “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” which launched them from into superstardom.
Schiff admitted that he is a longtime fan of the group.
“I think they’re one of the pivotal bands of the ’70s,” Schiff said. “The orchestration of their work is unbelievable. They really pioneered a whole segment of hard rock.”
Blue Oyster Cult’s lineup has undergone several major changes over the years, leaving the quintet with only three original members – lead vocalist Eric Bloom, lead guitarist Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser and Allen Lanier on keyboard.
Bassist Richie Castellano and drummer Jules Radino are the cult’s newest recruits.
Although the band is frequently referenced in television and movies, they unexpectedly became part of a pop culture phenomenon in 2000.
Thanks to the unlikely duo of actors Will Ferrell and Christopher Walken, Blue Oyster Cult will forever be associated with two words – more cowbell.
“I’ve been really surprised at how many kids know Blue Oyster Cult,” Schiff said. “I think part of that is because of the ‘Saturday Night Live’ sketch with Christopher Walken.”
The now legendary sketch features a tightly dressed Ferrell as Blue Oyster Cult’s underutilized – and fictional – cowbell player Gene Frenkle and Walken as mega-rock producer, Bruce Dickinson.
Much to the dismay of his band mates, Frenkle finally gets to let loose during a recording session for “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” as Dickinson cries out, “I gotta have more cowbell, baby!”
The sketch immediately spawned a host of “cowbell” merchandise and a new generation of Blue Oyster Cult fans.
Schiff said he thinks the band’s widespread popularity will usher in a diverse crowd to the concert.
“I think it’s going to be a mix,” Schiff said. “They’ve been featured in movie soundtracks, so a younger audience knows them.
“Then, of course, there’s the 40- to 60-year-olds who remember them from when they were fresh and new,” he added. “They’ll be there, too.”
Uniontown is only one stop in a long lineup of shows this summer.
According to band’s official Web site, Blue Oyster Cult is one of the busiest bands in the business, playing close to 100 dates per year.
Even though they are in high demand, Schiff said the band was relatively easy to book.
“Once you find the bands you want, if they’re in the price range you can afford, it’s not too difficult to get them in,” Schiff said.
“Basically, I made a phone call to a booking agent who represents them locally, and they made it happen. It was pretty easy,” he added.
Schiff said that, while tickets have been selling well, there are still some available.
“Sales have been decent,” Schiff said. “I would hope that it’d be a sold-out show. It’s going to be close.”
Tickets can be purchased by calling the State Theatre box office at 724-439-1360 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday or by visiting 27 E. Main St.
“I hope that it’s a great concert, and that a lot of people come and have a good time,” Schiff said. “That’s what the theater is here for.”
“Blue Oyster Cult really had a great influence on rock ‘n’ roll, and we’re honored to have them on stage here,” he continued.