Don't fear the Reaper songwriter has died.

[Ichingcarpenter]

Founding Blue Oyster Cult keyboardist and guitarist Allen Lanier has died at the age of 66 after being hospitalized with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, according to the band’s official Facebook page. “DFTR sweet man,” the post reads, in apparent reference to their hit ‘Don’t Fear the Reaper.’ “We love you and miss you.”

Apart from a two year absence in the ’80s, Lanier was with B.O.C. from their inception in 1967 until his retirement in 2006. He co-wrote several songs for the group, including ‘True Confessions,’ In Thee,’ ‘Tenderloin,’ and ‘Lonely Teardrops.’ In November 2012 he rejoined his former bandmates on stage for the last time at a special New York concert commemorating the release of a career-spanning box set.

According to WebMd, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a lung disease that restricts breathing, “caused by damage to the lungs over many years, usually from smoking.”


http://ultimateclassicrock.com/allen-lanier-dies/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[Egalitarian Thug]

1. Shit. That really sucks. I was just reminded last night that BOC played the protest outside the

Democratic National Convention in Chicago 1968. Otherwise known as the week America died.

[Zorra]

2. The Reaper is one of the BEST rock songs ever!

It is sooo much fun to play, anyone in any band that ever plays it will tell you the same.

BOC was great in concert too.

RIP Alan, thanks.

[Ichingcarpenter]

3. Fairly easy to play

We did as a cover song also

But we didn't have enough cowbell.

I really liked that group.

[Zorra]

4. Are you a guitar player?

I love playing that Phrygian Arabic scale thing.

[Ichingcarpenter]

6. Not any more but my adult children play

You might be interested in this Pythagorean tuning




A Cymatic visualization of 432 Hertz

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

7. Did you say cowbell?

[Unknown Beatle]

5. First song I heard from BOC...

...Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll from the self-titled album, Blue Oyster Cult is fantastic. RIP Allen.

[HangOnKids]

16. Turn It Up LOUD!

Indeed, very loud.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

8. RIP allen.

[bullwinkle428]

9. One very sad cowbell salute for Mr. Lanier...RIP.

[Redneck_Dem]

10. Sad news

BOC was part of the first concert I ever attended in Germany in the early 80s.

[progressoid]

11. I remember being told that that song was going to make me a satanist.

It was the DEVIL's music!!

[Tom Ripley]

12. RIP to the coolest and tallest member of BOC

[tblue]

13. The Reaper reaped anyway

I love that song!!! Very sad. 66 is not old and it's getting younger every day.

[hughee99]

14. For him, the cowbell tolls. n/t

[RZM]

15. Great song

One of the coolest solos ever. You can't help but get amped as soon as it kicks in.

RIP

[joeybee12]

17. Sad...RIP

[brentspeak]

18. Guitarist Buck Dharma wrote "Don't Fear the Reaper"

[Initech]

19. I will hang my cowbell at 1/2 staff today.