Blue Oyster Cult, Does He Still Talk To His old Bandmates?

[@tomsimmons7192]

Love Joe and Albert! Two of the best ever!!!

[@bobdudy7177]

Saw the BOC in 74' opening for Deep Purple. One of the best concerts ever, in Duluth Minnesota at the Sports Aroma.

[@billyz5088]

.. at that time they did often open for more established bands - but by then BÖC was such a powerhouse live act that they usually stole the show from the more famous headlining bands ..

[@heimomoilanen9654]

​​@@billyz5088Not to hard imagine that. In 1974 even Deep Purple was going downhill with David Coverdale, never liked his nasal singing that I found just annoying.

[@jameslanclos568]

Joe Bouchard, Right On Brother !!! BOC played at New Orleans historic The Warehouse, circa 70's, numerous times and I was there digging it !!! It's now 50+ years later and I'm still digging all of the early BOC music !!!

[@OldBones33]

Albert taught at The Drummers Collective in NYC. I had several lessons with him. He was a very good teacher and a really cool guy.

[@markgrosch9762]

The Brothers Bouchard were the song writing force for early BÖC. I have seen them both after BOC many times and always impress!

[@laurenval2370]

Wow!! All the years I listened to Don't Fear the Reaper, never knew what I actually was listening to. You rock!

[@kc0lif]

i like that album on your feet or on your knees.

[@markhaus2830]

Thanks for this John. I been a BOC fan since the first record. (Yeah, getting old). Joe seems like a regular guy you could hang out with. Really nice guy.

[@Mission2Transition641]

My first concert, ever. BOC may 1979. Cedar Rapids, IA.

[@hisoverlorduponhigh90]

Albert wrote some of my favorite songs.

[@JohnHoulgate]

This is wonderful. Great interview.

[@simonagree4070]

Loved BOC from '74 (I caught up) to around '76 or '78 or ''81 -- actually won a radio contest for finding all the BOC symbols on their album covers, which was kind of weird, because the prize was winning all their LPs, which I already owned, obviously. Duh. I guess my old copies WERE kinda scratchy. But new LPs in those days were awful, too.

[@simonagree4070]

I was a Sandy and Richard fan. Sue me, scrubs! Still love Buck.

[@heimomoilanen9654]

Interesting funny story lol 👍

[@DiseaseShaker]

I saw the Bouchard Bros show in Nuneaton in August. Really enjoyed it. Hope Blue Coupe can come to the UK soon. Seeing BOC in Newcastle in October!

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Why isn’t BOC in the HOF? Just seen them last month and the were incredible as usual. Buck still plays very well for a man in his 70s.

[@thorpenator9148]

Had to make room for Dolly Parton...and Whitney Houston. HOF is a woke show. Inclusive of people who have never written a song...and play no instruments.

[@russhenson5506]

Actual reason? They have the word "Cult" in their name. On top of that they have a song about a German airplane from the 1940's. Then you add in their biggest hit is about death. Well, the establishment just can't handle all of those idiosyncrasies, and certainly isn't going to go beyond them. And the fact that it takes intelligence to appreciate BÖC is always going to be a drawback to their being recognized for the talent that they are. I keep hoping that the RRHOF will come to their senses, but am resigned to the fact that they are a bunch of shallow, record industry bunch of worthless fucktards.

[@williamsherman1089]

They're to good for that

[@JohnHoulgate]

Ask Richard Meltzer.

[@Two4Brew]

Joe is such a gracious gentleman. I've been a fan of BÖC since seeing Soft White Underbelly in July 1968.

[@heimomoilanen9654]

That's cool man 😎

[@lferlan]

Saw BOC open for Uriha Heep in August 1975 in Pittsburgh, never heard of them,they blew Uriah Heep off the stage!!

[@heimomoilanen9654]

I can believe that, too. Uriah Heep were never the same after Gary Thain, after January 1975 to be exact.

[@davidtyler3116]

I loved the Blue Coupe! Saw them at the Clayton Opera House!

[@lferlan]

Saw BOC open for Uriha Heep

[@iang1]

Fascinating interview

[@craigholden564]

I think all of the original band probably were and are awesome guys. Sometimes crap gets in the way that is hard to get past. It seems something happened with Joe and the others that has kept a little bit of tension that is probably just easier to not deal with. I wish they could find it possible to do a few shows as the original line up. A few new or unheard songs, a few older tunes, Richie stuff, etc. Maybe with the new release this Spring, Richie can be a bridge to bring the guys back for a few dates. It would be a hell of a capstone on top of a fantastic career for the band, the guys, and the fans!

[@simonagree4070]

Who sang lead on "Teen Archer"? That sounds like Joe, in my memory.

[@ericjohnson2137]

That was Buck

[@heimomoilanen9654]

​@@ericjohnson2137Definitealy Buck. Joe sang on Wings Wetted Down

[@JohannesYtterstrom]

Great!

[@danneeson7056]

Run Run Run by The Illusion sounds like proto BOC around 1969.

[@heimomoilanen9654]

Gotta check that out 🙂

[@chrissnodgrass2705]

Interesting

[@jlaws007BD]

I feel bad for him, and Buck (Donald), seems to have gotten so full of himself (I despise that Gibson w/out the headstock 🤫🤭), and now Castellano makes him look foolish !! He does his solo on: Then came (the last days of may), after Cas absolutely blasts that lead 🎸🔥💥🤘 and Buck finishes (2014 I believe), and I'd "LOVE" to know what axe Castellano is playing w/4 strings on top of the headstock, and 2 on the bottom. With everyone going ✋✋to him, and 😴 for Ronald. The bass player hasn't the thump or sound of ☝ so there's that as well. It's crazy the ego they get when far past their prime. Don't get me wrong: I'll love B.O.C till I die !! 1 of my 1st l.p. was their double live l.p. with the hearse in front 😱🎤🎸🔥💥🤘🎶 🎼🤘

[@douglemay7989]

You sure sound like hater.

[@ShiroiTengu]

1) what ego? Buck is an incredibly humble man, as are all the boys in the current band. 2) there are no headless Gibsons, Buck plays headless Steinberger's and more recently Kiesel (and yes I am aware Gibson owns Steinberger) 3) the 4+2 guitars Richie plays are made by Ernie Ball As for the rest, I agree, the bassist and drummer are mediocre at best and bore the hell out of me. The Bouchard Brothers were absolutely integral to the sound of BÖC. I don't think the band has much longer and for their victory lap they should really get the original band back together for one last tour. . .

[@douglemay7989]

Because you hate his guitar, he is stuck up?