Vocal Coach reacts to Blue Öyster Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper (Live)

[@BethRoars]

🎵 Book a Lesson with Beth email [e-mail] 📖 Get your signed copy of my album Fable here: www.bethroars.com/shop ☀ Find me on Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/1W0He1MTuQoG0Yt2ccmhyL?si=b5qm82DmSRip8L4abe2-nw 🥁 Become a Patreon Supporter: www.patreon.com/bethroars

[@carolmartin4413]

This was a classic when we boomers were young. Now that we're reaching the reaper's transport beam...we still love it! Gotta love music. ❤️

[@NMrick505]

Interesting way to put it.....and I agree

[@curiousman1672]

One of my favorite romance songs. He dies and comes back for her.......and she goes. And a lovely touch that they turn around to say goodbye. Love reigns eternal.

[@wolfsfx]

I've seen BOC about 35 times so I'm happy that you've selected a live version. They never fail to deliver in concert !

[@MK19021961]

You are absolutly right. But I prefer version from 2002.

[@godsofohio6734]

This song tells a story, with words and music. The face-melting guitar solo announces the arrival of the Reaper. The cowbell is a heartbeat.

[@zoluhwa3508]

The cowbell is not a heartbeat....it's medicine because Christopher Walken had a fever and the cowbells is the prescription

[@ianmayne5607]

I recall Donald Roeser being interviewed about this song, and he was horrified that anyone had thought the song was about uicide. He believed, [being the main writer, singer (and probably an under rated guitarist)], that it was a quintessential song about the true love between two people would endure forever and even transcend death.

[@seltonk5136]

He thought a song that references a clinical CDC suicide stat (40,000 men and women every day) wouldn't be taken that way? OK LOL. GROW UP. They weren't expecting a.timeless classic. Once it became one, they didn't want kids jumping off cliffs.

[@stefanforrer2573]

@@seltonk5136 sure buddy.... a dude in the 70s used current 21/22 cdc stats... dude must be a medium or some shit

[@KenMinor-ek1xs]

Interesting concept

[@douglemay7989]

@@seltonk5136 He was told he had a heart murmur. You grow up.

[@johnmullineaux302]

I was a teenager when I first heard this song. Now, in my 70’s, I understand. I have seen friends tell loved ones it was OK to let go, that there was something far better waiting for them.

[@giuliogrifi7739]

"...far better..." we all hope !

[@richpeltier9519]

Criminally under rated band, with a deep catalog of incredible songs. Buck's voice is great, but Eric Bloom is the other lead singer and I think the songs he sings lead on are among my favorites. These guys are still out there, rocking crowds regularly. Their latest album just dropped a couple years ago and is filled with absolute bangers.

[@PhalseProfit13]

Oh and he's my favourite guitarist

[@sherleengibb9454]

One of my favourites love the story they tell. Its very folk inspired.

[@jasonbean2764]

A litany of contrasts. The insistant insturmentation with the softly sung vocals hiding their unavoidable malace of the lyrics.. brilliant.:)

[@ickybobclay26]

It’s amazing how well BOC can paint an image with their music. So many of their songs just have a ethereal aura

[@swiftmatic]

@5:09, this guitar break by The Legendary Buck Dharma is absolute mastery of his craft. Props to the recording engineer too. The Blue Oyster Cult is one of my favorite rock bands of all time. Lyrically and instrumentally, the BOC was deep; exploring the darker sides of fantasy and reality.

[@TheWeredude]

Your joy when reacting to these songs is intoxicating. Love it! :)

[@MK19021961]

Just like me!

[@superfbomb9054]

BOC is one of the classic great bands.. great live.. so many great songs... I hope the kids today don't miss out on their influence

[@djclabbe88]

Love Blue Öyster Cult! 😁Fantastic band. Saw them live at Sweden Rock Festival this summer. They killed it! Great performance and vocals were on point :)

[@snjstr]

Truly my favorite band of all time. I love every aspect of their music. It's interesting you brought up the harmonies, in that the album this song comes from, Agents of Fortune, all five members lead sang on at least one track. You should check out the live versions of E.T.I., and Veterans of the Psychic Wars from the same live show as this performance. Thanks so much for this reaction and have a great holiday.

[@mikeconway9849]

Great reaction, Beth! Thank you for bringing this classic back.

[@Emilaria]

That guitar solo is everything.

[@kevinkundert7275]

Bravo one of my favorite bands seen them live 5 times Buck is one of the most under rated guitar players ever. Watching you concert bounce during this reaction is priceless you would of loved them live don't stop with this one . Live version of veterans of a physic wars and Astronomy are my favorites

[@Jim-he4km]

LOL more cow bell😂 In all my years of loving this song, this is the first time I've ever it live!! They don't deviate too far from the studio version except the last solo, AWESOME, Thank you for your reaction Beth!!

[@chrisd7047]

What gives life meaning is that it ends. It is death that gives meaning to life. When you look at a tombstone, you see 2 dates and a hyphen; we live in the hyphen. I think BOC captured these ideas beautifully in this song.

[@nikosalmpanis-ty3jt]

One of the most beautiful group of hard rock music🤘

[@P-Mouse]

BOC had a new album in 2020... and it was awesome

[@srudine]

One of my favorite BOC songs. Also love BOC's The Revenge of Vera Gemini with Patty Smith on backing vocals. Classics! Thanks Beth!

[@screamingdizbuster7722]

Their songs show you the light seemingly hidden in the darkness. Thanks for the great reaction! If you like Buck's singing, his "I Love The Night" from the Spectres album should be right up your alley. It's an exquisite ballad for the nocturnally-inclined.

[@headlibrarian1996]

I love the long Buck Dharma solos in these live performances.

[@williamjones6031]

I've had the pleasure of seeing them live twice. My favorite BOC song and always will be. The beginning of Stephen King's "The Stand" (1994 and best version) features this at the beginning. Some folks back when this was on the radio every day thought it was encouraging suicide but deep down it's a love song. "The love of two is one". Another band with this kind of vibe and depth you need to check out if you haven't already is Kansas. Fun fact: Before they were "Blue Oyster Cult", they were "The Great White Underbelly".

[@markmiwurdz2248]

@williamjones6031. Sir, I think you will find that BOC in their previous incarnation were “Soft White Underbelly” and maybe prior to that “Stalk Forest Group”. Stay safe and well.

[@usiak13]

Tom Waits - 'I like beautiful melodies telling me terrible things.'

[@beowulfthedane]

I was fortunate enough to see them in a small venue. The boathouse at Bessie's place. They were billed as "Soft White Underbelly" a name they frequently used to play smaller venues. I was reaching into my pocket for a cigarette, as I was a smoker then, when I discovered the guitarist had gotten 2 points. He had flicked a guitar pick into the crowd and nailed my cigarette pocket. I don't have it anymore as I went through some hard times in my 30s. But, it was an amazing performance I will always remember.

[@PhalseProfit13]

Thank you so much for this review and discussion...one of my favourite bands and songs...they are very awesome

[@YodatheHobbit]

I love how this live version sounds so much different from the studio version but still SO GOOD!

[@Cashcrop54]

This takes me back. I saw them so many times that this very reminiscent of what I experienced. A great live band! Had to add this. No other reactor is a fun to watch when you really enjoy what you are reacting to. Love it!

[@phoenixmichaels]

We used to call bands like this "guitar armies" LOL. Saw them live in the late 70's they were great.

[@coltonmyers4945]

Now do a blue oyster cult song where Eric bloom is singing, veteran of a thousand psychic wars or take me away, he has a cool voice

[@dave30076]

I vote "Take Me Away"

[@0ndast]

As someone mentioned earlier, this was the opening song for mini series The Stand (1994). Also my first hearing of it. Feels perfect and really sets the tone for the show.

[@michaelcooper1079]

Great reaction to a song from my youth. The guitar solo is classic

[@tomswift3482]

I've seen BOC a few times. Always a fantastic show, and Buck Dharma has got to be the absolute fastest, cleanest, guitar player I've ever seen, but the fantastic thing about him, to me, is how he simply stands in his spot and plays the hell out of his guitar. I think I lost partial hearing at a concert of theirs, in Chicago. Buck and Eric Bloom had a pseudo duel, with their guitars, striking the necks together, at the base, and then sliding/ripping them apart, probably 3 or 4 times during the song - banging, tearing - a wall of sound. Great artists, great show.

[@bernicequigley4629]

I used to love this song. Then, on the day before my mom passed, I was in my car and this song came on the radio. It really freaked me out and I can't listen to it anymore.

[@g54b95]

I saw B. O. C. live at the Grizzly Rose in Golden, CO. Small venue, probably 250 people. Loudest concert I've ever been to. People were even passing around a 6' inflatable Godzilla. They kicked so much ass.

[@markwilliams6394]

Saw them at bar back in the 90's. Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser was spot on with his playing and singing. Loved that it was a small venue and maybe 30 or 40 people there that night.

[@KyOte13]

I think you would really enjoy the live version of Blue Oyster Cult’s “ Astronomy”. It’s one of Eric’s lead vocals, and imo, one of their absolute best. Buck Dharma… has something special about his guitar playing that makes him one of the absolute best to ever pick up the guitar. Music… makes me feel like you do. It’s the one thing in Life that makes me happy to be here.

[@KKX818]

Don't forget to listen for the bass, it's fantastic.

[@allenfutrelle9090]

YOU are the bomb Ms Beth!! Love your reaction to this.

[@markeverly6222]

Studio version used in the original production of The Stand.

[@johnprice6066]

I'm hoping that you get into more BÖC, Beth... They have a great history of literary themed music. Their manager, Sandy Pearlman, wrote a lot of their lyrics, including a whole song cycle called Imaginos. One of the songs from that cycle is "Astronomy"...

[@darrellmchenry1372]

WOW, talk about memories. Saw them in 1976 on the Agents of Fortune tour. Thank you so much Beth. New subscriber.

[@bruceabbott4435]

I am watching your exuberant, heartfelt reaction to “Reaper,” Ms. Beth, and I have to say, after knowing Mr. Dharma since our college days - 59 years now and counting - that you have tapped into his essential sensuality. He has always been good-natured, soft-spoken, sure of his abilities, witty, and loving toward women. I think that you tapped into those qualities by your reaction as evoked by his music. It was very interesting to watch…

[@dr.s.]

The first one requesting more cowell shall burn in hell 🤘

[@BethRoars]

Haha

[@birdec765]

I shall burn in hell then🔥

[@engarneering]

Look. I put my pants on one leg at a time. Then I make gold records. Yeah, more cowbell fellas.

[@JohnBullard]

I was second but I saw the reaper come for the burning dude.

[@warrenbfeagins]

I never even thought that sketch was funny either.

[@stevenappleman]

I never miss a BÖC reaction!

[@Paul_Wetor]

As a BOC fan, this is one of my favorites. But I'm not a lyrics person. If they are meaningful and understandable, it's a bonus. It certainly helps when trying to tell one song from another - unlike groups where all the songs are instrumentals.

[@brianboye8025]

I love your dancing and this is the song to do it with.

[@ru2yaz33]

I remember being back stage and watching them perform this song (second to the last song that night).

[@davidgonyeau2555]

This was done in Hollywood Florida in 1981. IMO this was the best version of the Reaper.

[@ivansavoie3190]

Saw them twice in the 70s, they had a good lazer show. Great reaction

[@AncientSlugThrower]

I am right along with you, this music just makes you want to move and groove.

[@pango-y8j]

In the eighties in San Francisco I had a few boc albums 😊🍄

[@willembritz4666]

Your dance moves is so beautiful

[@wtglb]

Saw them on the Black & Blue Tour with Black Sabbath (with Dio👍🏻) in ‘81, what a great show!

[@pbrucpaul]

I remember when this first came out. They definitely had their own style and Rocked down. This is the first time I heard that kind of Far Out Lead guitar take off, and the Drummer really keeps this going.

[@martindean612]

The guitar at the opening hooks you immediately.

[@MarcusRefusius]

I’ve seen them 48 times so far. Would have even 50 if not for the Damnedemic. I heard Buck asked in an interview how he doesn’t get tired of playing the Reaper every night. Hs answer was EPIC. He said “I’ve never played it the same way twice” He’s never studied Music Theory and cannot read or write Music. Like so many other greats Steve Howe and Roy Clark for example.

[@videovoidtv]

I have two distinct feelings about this song. As a human it makes me cry, as a filmmaker I only imagine an amazing action sequence where the hero is ready to sacrifice himself in a gun fight. lol

[@GruffyddFO4]

This is the best known song by one of my absolute favorite groups. This version is the one from their Extraterrestrial Live album, which was my introduction to the group back when it came out. I later heard the album version from Agents of Fortune, and I preferred this one, but it wasn't until some time later that I realized why. First, the added heaviness of the performance makes it more gripping to me, but second and most significantly, Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser is just amazing on his live guitar solos. He is an incredibly underrated guitar player. While it's their best known song, and I do really like it, it's not my favorite of theirs. They have a very deep back catalog of music, with some really cool stuff that never gets played. One that you might like is the live video from the A Long Day's Night live album/concert video, of the song Then Came The Last Days of May. It's a great song from their very first and self-titled album as Blue Oyster Cult. Another good one especially to feature Roeser's guitar playing is the live video of Veteran of the Psychic Wars. Co-written by SF/Fantasy author Michael Moorcock and used in the soundtrack for the animated movie Heavy Metal, it's a great song with an absolutely killer solo. Probably my favorite, though I've yet to see and hear a live video that I've been entirely satisfied with, is the significant track from the Imaginos mythology, from their Secret Treaties album, a song called Astronomy.

[@oscararzate7956]

Wow wow wow me encantó la música estuvo increíble bien Beth porcierto estrañe ...........🧜👏👏🍀🍀

[@DougMcDave]

It needs more cowbell 😅

[@SteveCoronado2]

🤘🏻🔥💥🙏🏻💯🤣

[@BrianYates-ue8hf]

I GOT A FEVER... 😂😂😂😂

[@yorkvillevic6528]

No, I'm Bruce Dickinson!

[@lazaruslong8092]

😅

[@DougMcDave]

@@yorkvillevic6528 THE Bruce Dickinson!

[@johnr4459]

there are two main lead vocalists in this band, buck dharma who is singing this and eric bloom, so easily can do a song sang by eric for a comparison

[@renedavids6154]

I remember this song. Never saw the live version, but from my album. Don't have this album anymore, LP was totally worn during the time. In my country it never hit the top 10 but for me it is still a good song. Little morbid but good songtekst. And good guitar solo's. Still love the 70ties.

[@renedavids6154]

Don't have telegram. Is this a reaction from you or just spam.

[@LordEagle]

BOC is GREAT guitar rock. Love these guy's. 💥💥💥👍😎

[@TheRealRedAce]

Cheers for doing this reaction. I gotta have more cowbell.

[@Tracy-rf7ri]

I love this song ❤️

[@bugvswindshield]

Big Fan of BOC. I've seen an interview with Buck Dharma, (Don R.) , where he said he got a physical and the Dr. said he had heart condition. Buck had maybe 3-5 years left. Of course the Dr. was a moron and Buck is alive 45 years later. But it scared the sh!t out of him. Then La.... the song was born.

[@ChadAdkins-hx5zz]

Beth...This song also got a boost from being used as a theme song for the horror movie HALLOWEEN!!!!

[@Pomdownuder]

One of the great opening riffs of all time

[@mikerudolph2419]

BOC was a great band, love their music 🎼

[@tedalger8925]

Is. They still tour.

[@samuel_towle]

Set the wayback machine to 1981 when this performance was simulcast on cable and FM radio. AMAZING performance by BOC. I must have listened to this recording hundreds of times. You should check out some to the other songs like "Veteran of the Psychic Wars", "Joan Crawford", "Godzilla", or the covers of "Roadhouse Blues" and "Born To Be Wild" Hollywood Florida 1981

[@benschwader4537]

You are a gift! Thank you!

[@MariedeGournay_]

Best modern carpe diem poem.

[@danharris5999]

Donald "Buck Dharma" Rosier doesn't get the credit he deserves as a fantastic guitarist. Maybe because he doesn't do the gyrations and posing on stage, but he can absolutely shred with his solos.

[@jamiemacdonald436]

Very interesting that they chose a higher key for the live performance. I feel like it's usually the other way around. Great band, great song.

[@buddyfaulkner1177]

I saw them, along with Heart and Cheap Trick, at the Citrus Bowl stadium in Orlando while I was stationed there in 81. Hell of a concert.

[@Emilaria]

That would've been so awesome! I was born too late.

[@godsofohio6734]

Your ears must have been ringing for 3 days.

[@frankgailey164]

Its A love song.

[@frankswarbrick7562]

I just took a look at the Wikipedia article for the album this is on (Agents of Fortune) and notice that all five members of the band (at the time) get at least one song where they are the lead singer. Interesting!

[@johnr4459]

and all of them could do a guitar solo

[@dunringill1747]

Buck Dharma is one of the top tier guitarists of rock. The other high ranking guitarists know this fact all too well.

[@johnprice6066]

I actually won tickets to see BÖC back in 1981 on the "Fire of Unknown Origin" tour... The question was how many people die every day according to "Don't Fear the Reaper"?

[@randalmoore4704]

My band plays this song and dark as it is the audience wants to hear it again and again. But im ready for happy christmas song. Visiting relatives was awful this last week. So i need a pick me up with johnny mathis

[@zilfversurfer2157]

I always think of the Stephen Kings The stand tv-serie when evryone dies in the beginning of captain trips or the super flu and this song is playing.

[@norwegianblue2017]

As much as I love this song, I think 'Last Days of May' is even more haunting and engaging.

[@MichalMittermayr]

1976 i was 10 years old! "Now Iam still no clue of music! " 57!

[@williamosborne6866]

Buck Dharma (Donald Roeser) is arguably one of the best guitarists for the last 50 years (and an outstanding vocalist as well). BOC live performances are always far more lengthy and bombastic than their studio tracks, which is why their concerts are legendary. Check this one out - "Veteran Of The Psychic Wars" - this time with Eric Bloom on lead vocals, and an even more blistering guitar solo from Buck: kzbin.info/www/bejne/baGplZ6hn6yce9U

[@iDEATH]

It doesn't make sense to go through life fearing death, as it is, after all, inevitable, and we never know when ours will come. Do the best you can in each moment. What else is there? If you want to hear a fantastic guitar solo from Buck, check out the extended version of "Veteran of the Psychic Wars" from the same show, I think on the same KZbin channel, too. It's my favourite BOC song. It works as being about PTSD, but it's really about Michael Moorcock's dark fantasy character/novels "Elric of Melnibone." Anyways, the extended guitar solo in that "digitally restored" live version from this same 10/09/81 show is truly wonderful.

[@Patterner]

"cowbell - the sound of hope" i'm gonna quote that a lot

[@MichalMittermayr]

When You listen- Still ~ Some Motörheadsound in Variety!

[@oldrockr1557]

Beth you need to check out the Saturday Night Live skit with Chris Walken about this song!!! NEEDS MORE COWBELL!!!

[@bjhellstream]

What an amazing version. Better than the original. Most people only hear the single version without that first awesome instrumental break.

[@BrianYates-ue8hf]

I GOT A FEVER AND THE ONLY PRESCRIPTION IS MORE COWBELL 😅😅😅

[@martinholt8168]

Best use of Cowbell. I will die on this hill.

[@EyesOfFrozenMeat]

A couple of points: -The singer here is Buck Dharma, who is their lead guitarist. Buck is considered to be one of the best guitarists to come out of the 70's. -Their lead vocalist is Eric Bloom, who also plays guitar. His vocals are wild and unusually drawing, awesome stuff. -Most of BOC's songs are actually some mix of fun, weird, quirky, poignant, thoughtful, different, and goofy. All are very original. -In their prime, they are consider to be one of the most underrated bands in all of rock history. The more you listen to them, the more you WILL listen to them.

[@douglemay7989]

Joan Crawford reference in your username?

[@EyesOfFrozenMeat]

@@douglemay7989 :)

[@PSA78]

"We need more cowbell!" 🔔😂

[@leftcoaster67]

Have you ever reviewed Greg Lake's "I Believe in Father Christmas" I love it because it's depressing and uplifting at the same time.