BUCK DHARMA - Guitarist, Singer & Songwriter (Blue Oyster Cult)

[@HarvesterOfEyes91]

Chemical engineers ditch college to form the world's greatest band with songs about alchemy. Epic.

[@sunjester8254]

The most criminally underrated guitarist ever. Buck should have been held in the same regard as all the guitar greats, but people are focused on the same people over and over.

[@lewisprice3156]

He is😁

[@phillipasby9202]

Unquestionably. And he still has it - saw BOC two weeks ago and he was just inspiring. Lyrical and melodic at every moment, and he can still rip when required. Amazing artist.

[@captainh3831]

I hear the word underrated thrown around a lot in regard to BOC. I think if you were to ask the actual remaining members of the group, they would probably say that they are very satisfied with the notoriety they have. They have had their fan base for decades, and they know they have a solid legacy in the annals of rock whether they make the top 10 or 20 lists or not that aside, Buck is one of the best guitarists in the world.

[@sunjester8254]

​@@captainh3831 I've read and heard Buck and other members say they felt they deserved more recognition.

[@JohannesYtterstrom]

Buck Dharma - One of my favorite guitar players. Just all around such a unique sound. Very catchy yet sophisticated. Great singer too!

[@lewisprice3156]

Shure got that right.

[@lewisprice3156]

Love this guitar player, and he's a very nice person. So Cool....

[@lewisprice3156]

Certainly one of the best guitar players ever!

[@lewisprice3156]

Oh Yeah. A great writer and singer as well. All the musicians that Donald surrounds himself with are amazing talents.

[@lincolnsixecho51]

In my memory, BÖC was the first rock band, that embedded their music in a constant web of structured literaric story of a closed mythological, part sciene fiction, fantasy and poetic legend-like concept and'd had integrated the fantastic author Sandy Pearlman as full part band member, who created the Cult's background story as a kind of lyrical base for most of the bands songs. So - fully understanding the bands songs implicated knowing and understanding Pearlmans story.

[@lanky3261]

At long last an interview without a mention of snl or cowbells,great job sir

[@eljison]

One of the most underrated guitarists around. It's good to see him still making music.

[@showmetimefelix7500]

The Laser were worth the money Because it cemented the Band and Fans permanently together. Blue Oyster Cult will Always be the Number 1 band in my Life. Thank you Buck Dharma for Secret Treaties 1974 and the 1976 Tour.

[@lewisprice3156]

I got to check them out at UCSB Robertson Hall

[@lewisprice3156]

Right on... I totally get it. ⛈🤩⛈

[@ValThor-g2c]

Yes, 1976 tour with lasers! I remember that. KISS was competing with them at that time. BOC are so sophisticated compared to KISS. But both bands were at their peak then.

[@dirkwyse1609]

Loved hearing his gratefulness for how his life turned out, I very much feel that too. We are all lucky to have lived in that era and still be alive.

[@DetVen]

This band toured relentlessly, I checked their tour history in just the Detroit area and they came their the first time in 72 and played 34 times between 72 to 78, amazing.

[@tonym994]

saw BOC open for ALICE COOPER in Boston in '72 or '73. most opening acts are forgettable, but not those guys. Buck is still great. my friend got part of a show in NH last September on his phone, and they aren't as wild, but the musicianship is still there.

[@dirkwyse1609]

I saw them 5 times in St. Louis in the 70s including at Busch Stadium SuperJam 78 where they upstaged Styx

[@גדעוןקאופמן]

Love blue oster cult

[@RoeserFan1]

Thank you for describing Buck as a guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is all of that, in spades. In my opinion, those things combine to make him the finest rock and roll musician of the past half century.

[@dylanstromberg]

I know him personally, he’s basically my uncle

[@harrygaul4475]

I'm originally from Scranton PA and heard Blue Oyster Cult in Wilkes-Barre PA in a local theater where Kiss played 2nd and Rush was the opening act - all for $8.00 in 1976

[@akrocuba]

BOC FOREVER!!!!!!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@l8j13a68]

It was great to see BOC just two weeks ago in Vermont live.....great musicianship.... still rocking in 2021!

[@greghoffmann3003]

don, to me is the master of the lead fill.

[@duncanbleak3819]

Great guitarist and singer-songwriter. BOC's music will live forever!

[@Lukkaboc]

Love Buck! I always dance to his boogie! 💃

[@miked1311]

On your feet or on your knees. Some enchanted evening. Saw them in 81 and he blew me away. One of my favorites

[@davidpowell8025]

THE guitarist! No one can translate the mood of lyrics into guitar riffs with such expression. And with exceptionally complex lyrical concepts and doing it with such ease and technical prowess;- such musicians are extremely rare.

[@billhewlett1214]

Blue oyster cult should be in the RRHOF

[@gordonlandreth9550]

Gee , ya think ? All kidding aside they should have been enshrined a long time ago . One of the top five American rock bands .

[@pdd60absorbed12]

Splendid musician that's kept his head all these years. Really enjoy Buck and BOCs tunes.

[@gregoryh9442]

I saw BÖC my first time in ‘82.(my mom dropped me off at the venue) Have seen them several times since then. I got to meet Buck by random chance at the NAMM show about ten years ago. So humble and so friendly.

[@Olliemets]

Love hearing Buck's backstory. And a musical interview. I love to swing too (As a drummer) Fascinating. BOC - I attended SUNY Potsdam 2 years in the 1970s. The Bouchard brothers were from up the road in Watertown. Albert B and Don had met at Clarkson. In the spring of 77, BOC was peaking with Agents of Fortune. Not sure why (perhaps an homage to Potsdam/Clarkson..there was also another Bouchard attending Potsdam who lived in my dorm). They stopped off from their tour to play at Tiny Walker Arena in Potsdam. Seated maybe 2K tops. They brought their entire Stage Show more suited to a big 15K Hockey Barn than this tiny arena. Full-on Laser show, laser machine guns in the eyes..etc. Smoke, Disco Balls, and loud as hell. This was pre-OSHA warning bands not to shoot lasers in the crowd's eyes LOL. I was absolutely mesmerized. Incredible show. I loved Agents of Fortune at the time. They played a lot of AOF but also a lot from the first 3 albums. I ran out and got all 3 "Black and White" s right after and have been hooked ever since. This band is so much more than a punchline on SNL. And Buck takes a backseat to NO ONE as a guitarist and musician. Terrific interview overall. Buck/Don comes across as I imagined. Finally, as a Long Island guy who lived in Potsdam for a little while BOC holds a special little place in my heart.

[@TheSessionsPanel]

Great story! Thanks for sharing & subscribing to our channel!

[@jamesmack3314]

Agents of Fortune was on constant rotation on my turntable during the summer of 76 and beyond and I’m now 62 and I’m still playing it. It’s really one of the great albums of the 70s.

[@John-qw4vs]

Love Blue Oyster Cult.... John from New Jersey

[@jcruisioso5975]

Fantastic . Buck nails it as usual . The “Renaissance of rock” , he was a major player . What a legacy.

[@garyi8837]

Thanks man, love Buck and BOC. I have seen them more than 40 times live over the years, still a great live band! The new album rocks!

[@Epitome63]

Interesting guy. I met him a week ago. He was quiet.

[@loilt5091]

"Dominion over time"...Cronos...The Symbol, definitely, Remains ❗ Since getting into the group, during '70's high school, I could always feel the jazz influence in both Buck's playing and their collective, eclecticism. They were NEVER a metal band...sure their sound could be heavy, riff driven, sometimes dark & cryptic, including the genre related subject matter. Respectfully, Columbia tried to sell them as America's Black Sabbath, but they always had their own roots & vision. Great back story, to "Last Day's of May"...the OYFOOYK's take, has long been a personal favourite. My buddy's band opened for them & T-Rex on that tour, testifying what good guys they are. Our 1st live BOC show was summer '77, Utopia shared their lasers...row 3/floor seats.

[@sspbrazil]

Great interview. R.I.P. Dom.

[@rickgriego2844]

Still my favorite fn guitar player..and soo smart.clever.and down to earth.just amazingly balanced player..

[@TheRealDannAlexander]

Calgary,,,2000 saw them at an amazing show. The nicest blokes. The Symbol Remains is an absolute banger of a record. Having Danny Miranda back is so badass. I was in the audience during the opening act chatting with Bobby Rondinelli talking about all kinds of music. One of my fave memories and ended up putting that memory into my latest book.

[@seamus2112ophelan]

Dom is a great drummer and interviewer! Buck is always entertaining. Class acts, both.

[@jamesmack3314]

Bucks boogie is a phenomenal jam….and his guitar work on Agents of fortune is exceptional

[@TheStobb50]

I saw the blue Oyster cult many years ago at a festival in England possibly Knebworth they were brilliant, it looks like the whole neighbourhood was on the stage The sound was amazing

[@MarkJVSomers]

Funny to hear how he grew up on jazz, must've been one of the reasons I was into BOC as a kid who grew up on jazz also, but got into rock 'n' roll.

[@jeffrey.a.hanson]

Saw this guy play from a few feet away, only knowing their hits…and damn he could flat out play!

[@lotharhamburg5343]

Deer Park lots of musicians . Hammerheads, Cheers, Sundance,Stage Door,Roxy, great memories rockin out!!!!

[@alansilverman2747]

This is a ridiculously good sense of band history. Just great.

[@OldBones33]

Dom, your practice pad sticks were the best, most comfortable sticks I ever used. Thanks man!

[@znmrtns]

Don is really inspiring! Nice interview

[@rorywilliams1885]

He’s certainly unique imo…in a time when every band had a guitar god Buck was every bit as creative as any of them,just check his amazing live solo’s from the 70s,80s90s and today !!!.the guy is so underrated it’s criminal

[@clifftucker1687]

Highly underrated guitar player and song writer....I love the nights.

[@lewisprice3156]

Such a great player. Love his style. So cool.

[@tonym994]

THANK YOU! this was a lotta fun.

[@h1machiii]

Buck displays a real jazz touch on the live version of Buck's Boogie from On Your Feet or On Your Knees.

[@jamesmack3314]

Absolutely kick ass jam…and cities on flame

[@lotharhamburg5343]

Awesome interview great to be born in 68 music was at pinnacle

[@MIKO_MDG]

Such a great insight into the King of MORE COWBELL and just about every other damn thing 'rock 'n roll'. Bucky, we live for music and we LOVE BÖC. Ha ha, Buck says "I played surf music." Eric Bloom's Johnny says "I ain't gonna play no surf music... I'm gonna play HEAVY music" LOL Yeah man you certainly do swing brother

[@jcruisioso5975]

I saw them as well one year ago. I was blown away. The last few times , probably 10 yrs ago , they had become a bit sloppy . I actually left the shows depressed , since Back In The day , they were as good as anyone . Not sure what had happened , but anyway, they were simply on fire in the summer of 2000. A great interview with a legendary player . Keep on Rock-in Buck! 😎

[@MIKO_MDG]

He asks, "How was making FLAT OUT, doing your own thing" Buck says, "It was good." HAHHHHHHH!!!!!!! UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE GD CENTURY

[@thomasrauschpegasus6400]

I loved playing with and watching the long island bands in the many clubs back in the day PegAsuS

[@rapidfirerob4]

Great interview. Interesting he listened to a lot of jazz growing up. It certainly makes his playing interesting and his songs too. I hope he records another solo album. The new album is terrific. Secret Road is my favorite, which of course, Buck wrote.

[@JohnHoulgate]

Albert Bouchard also came from a jazz background, which I feel made BÖC's early material real interesting. I hear a lot of that influence in songs like "Baby Ice Dog" from T&M.

[@stevenmuti3570]

I also love Secret Road. It'd be easy to see it as a theme song for life. Everything is difficult and uncertain, but when we stick with it and take the opportunities presented to us, we find our own paths. I find it to be the most inspiring piece on the album, though it's got some great music on it besides just that!

[@godsofohio6734]

Secret Road is also my favorite. It's a classic BOC song and could have been on any of their albums.

[@samuelstoner1838]

Great guy

[@valis992000]

What he says towards the very end really explains a lot to me. I grew up listening to him and I always though any other band would have his guitar "out front" constantly, instead you listen to songs like Subhuman and he noodling along doing this great stuff, but another instrument is louder, "on top" of what he is doing. It's one of the many things I always loved about BOC. Now I know where it came from.

[@stonelegend9401]

Uniquely Amazing!! Stylish and Flavorful, Creative Melody's and Such Badass Riffery.

[@JackTorrence237]

Three words for anyone who would like to hear how great a guitarist this man is, City's On Flame! A pretty early track for BOC and the first one that grabbed my attention. Love Don and the boys and thank them for the incredible music they've given my soul to absorb!

[@raybenoit5238]

What to me is really great is buck and guys like him that created and did this larger than life musical thing are so humble and grounded people .

[@msh6865]

Great interview with the working man's guitarist as I call Buck. Highly recommend Perfect Water as a great example of Buck as his best. A great song and Buck just scorches it.

[@gmoney860]

Buck seems like a really good dude. Love his music, great interview!

[@hisoverlorduponhigh90]

Buck , thank you for all the great music. I saw BOC several times. The last time was Valparaiso Indiana.

[@chazezell]

Wonderful interview.

[@rtod4]

Cities on flame... The first laser light show I ever saw was a BOC show in Greensboro NC On your feet or on your knees - the greatest live recording ever. Glad to hear the backstory on Last Days of May. I also saw one of Harry Chapin's last shows 🙁

[@kylealexander1514]

Wow, amazing interview!!

[@kevintaylor-cox2880]

Thank you guys!

[@davidwood1923]

Don and Crew are Awesome... Been a Fan Since I First heard BOC!... Love to Hear From You. Keep Up the Great Work. Thanks for Sharing

[@TheSessionsPanel]

Thanks for listening! We appreciate your support of our channel, be sure to check out the other interviews!

[@johnreilly9748]

Great stuff Dom & Buck! Really enjoyed this discussion. I am from Upstate NY and a lot of great drummers from L.I. ended up in my area near Hudson NY and graced my studio with their JAMS

[@montagedrift]

great interview, you should check out a video on youtube where buck dharma is playing Astronomy in his friends living room, it's a must see!

[@ivano5734]

Will there be an interview with Dann Huff ( producer in the country music/Giant) ?

[@dirkwyse1609]

"decided that accordion wasn't the hippest instrument..." 😂

[@okbrancho]

Cool interview but did I miss how they came up with the band name?

[@thrashaddiction]

The name "Blue Öyster Cult" came from a 1960s poem written by manager Sandy Pearlman. It was part of his "Imaginos" poetry, later used more extensively on their album Imaginos (1988). Pearlman had also come up with the band's earlier name, "Soft White Underbelly", from a phrase used by Winston Churchill in describing Italy during World War II. In Pearlman's poetry, the "Blue Oyster Cult" was a group of aliens who had assembled secretly to guide Earth's history. "Initially, the band was not happy with the name, but settled for it, and went to work preparing to record their first release..." Wikipedia

[@YaoEspirito]

When he asked "Where'd the name come from?" I thought "I'd love to find out too" His 'answer' was all over the place, and he never did mention the name..

[@JoshuaCraigStrain]

LOVE YOUR CHANNEL !!

[@TheSessionsPanel]

Thank you! Please share, subscribe & help us share these videos with other Artists!

[@ValThor-g2c]

I hope he don't drop from that va xx - some folks do. He is one of my faves, a class act.

[@SajiSNairNair-tu9dk]

Dhama and Krishna sing 🕵️

[@kurtkuechenberg1684]

Electra has unreleased material. WTF!!!!! RELEASE IT!

[@lotharhamburg5343]

N.L.