Allen Lanier, Blue Oyster Cult guitarist and keyboardist from 1967 to 1985, and again from 1987 to 2006, passed away late Thursday, August 14, night from complications Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
It's always really sad to a musician who contributed to music history go, and that's simply on a fan level. They're not mentioned when it comes around to talking about the history of metal, but Blue Oyster Cult's contributions were certainly there. Check out their Tyranny and Mutation album for some solid doom-flavored tunes ala the early 70's, as well as their self-titled debut. The band have issued the following statement:
"We have extremely sad news to report. We’ve lost our friend and bandmate Allen Lanier. Allen succumbed to complications from C.O.P.D. He is survived by his wife Dory, sister Mary Anne and mother Martha. Although he retired from touring in 2006 Allen returned to the stage for what turned out to be his final appearance, reuniting with B?C at the 40th Anniversary show in New York this past November. DFTR sweet man. We love you and miss you."
Lead singer Eric Bloom also had this to say:
"My great friend Allen Lanier has passed. I'll miss the guy even though we hadn't spoken in awhile. He was so talented as a musician and a thinker. He read voraciously, all kinds of things, especially comparative religion. We drove for years together, shared rooms in the early days. We partied, laughed, played. All BOC fans and band members will mourn his death. Ultimately smoking finally got to him. He had been hospitalized with C.O.P.D. It was Allen who heard some old college band tapes of mine and suggested I get a shot as the singer in 1968. A lot of great memories, over 40 years worth. Maybe he's playing a tune with Jim Carroll right now."
Thanks for contributing to the jams, Allen.
