Rocker440
Senior Member
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2009
- Posts
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Re: Blue Oyster Cult
I think there is some validity with what you're saying, R E. Although Eric Bloom did sing many of the songs, and also play rhythm guitar, too. I believe that all of the original band members did sing either lead vocals, as well as back up vocals, with the exception of Allen Lanier. Allen Lanier is a very versatile dual instrument performer, imo. He played both guitar and keyboards, but is probably better known with his keyboard playing.
One of the cool aspects of BOC for me was with the fact that the original band was more of a collective effort and in various, equal contributions! With the songwriting, the singing of different songs and more so with their live performance, imo! There may be some bands that do have a very noticeable frontman as you've mentioned, but some of those frontmen also want a good majority of the attention, too, imo. Whether they may mostly sing, or perhaps jump all over the stage, which some people may or may not enjoy more within the frameworks of any particular bands live performance. Some lead singers both do command the stage and their presence all over the stage with moving around a lot. Some fans may enjoy this, while others may find it somewhat distracting. I remember Eric Bloom moving around well on stage while playing guitar, interacting with other members and also riding the harley cycle on at the beginning of Born to be Wild!
BOC was one of the best bands that I've seen in concert!
Excellent stuff, BOCFan.
Got a question for all BOC fans:
I think we can all agree that BOC should've been bigger than what they were. Correct? Outside of Agents Of Fortune and Fire Of Unknown Origin, they didn't sell alot of albums when you compare them to other groups. (Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, etc...) I'm wondering whether or not their lack of a true "frontman" brought them down somewhat. Eric Bloom, while being the main singer, was in no way a frontman along the lines of Steven Tyler or David Lee Roth. No one really front and center to lead the band. I saw them in concert twice in the 80s when it was still the original line-up, and while I love the shows (2 of my top 10 concerts), thinking back on it, there was no one to really focus on. No compelling stage presence that was flashy or showy.
So what do you guys think? Any validity to my theory?
I think there is some validity with what you're saying, R E. Although Eric Bloom did sing many of the songs, and also play rhythm guitar, too. I believe that all of the original band members did sing either lead vocals, as well as back up vocals, with the exception of Allen Lanier. Allen Lanier is a very versatile dual instrument performer, imo. He played both guitar and keyboards, but is probably better known with his keyboard playing.
One of the cool aspects of BOC for me was with the fact that the original band was more of a collective effort and in various, equal contributions! With the songwriting, the singing of different songs and more so with their live performance, imo! There may be some bands that do have a very noticeable frontman as you've mentioned, but some of those frontmen also want a good majority of the attention, too, imo. Whether they may mostly sing, or perhaps jump all over the stage, which some people may or may not enjoy more within the frameworks of any particular bands live performance. Some lead singers both do command the stage and their presence all over the stage with moving around a lot. Some fans may enjoy this, while others may find it somewhat distracting. I remember Eric Bloom moving around well on stage while playing guitar, interacting with other members and also riding the harley cycle on at the beginning of Born to be Wild!
BOC was one of the best bands that I've seen in concert!
There's just not really anything worth listening to on that album except for the updated version of Astronomy. A misfire of an album from start to finish. And that's being kind.
