Classic rock artists need to watch this carefully and understand that Rick is the most important person carrying the torch of their music to the next generations, and if they don't stop this copyright madness, they will be left behind. Thank you Dharma and Rick!
Mixed feelings. I can't blame a professional musician for wanted to get paid for their work. That's how they make their living. Would you work for free?
Commenters need to read this carefully and understand that there are many people just as important as Rick carrying the the torch of this music to the next generation and if they don't stop this continued use of cliche ridden, overblown hyperbole they will be laughed of of UA-cam
It's ironic that NBC does a skit about a song and then decades later won't allow three seconds of the skit to be shown in a video interview with the actual writer of the song. Too many damn lawyers.
NBC is NOTORIOUS for going after any uploads from SNL musical appearances. Really pisses me off cause the Cars appearance on Halloween was incredible and it's always immediately getting pulled
When I was recovering from major open heart surgery and a severe stroke. My daughter and I sang it in the hospital ward, while she hit a book with a pencil intimating Will Ferrell. Sometimes you just gotta laugh at death.I'd rather hit the end of the trail with a smile on my face and laughter, than slouched over with self pity. thank you gentlemen.It's amazing what music and laughter can do for the human soul.
I know exactly what you mean about laughing at death. When I woke up from quintuple bypass, my Boss, who actually Did care about his employees. Visited me still groggy from anesthesia, "How are you doing?" He asked. "I can kick every ass on this floor., ' I said. 'He's still doped up, ' my wife said.
@@michaellefort6128 damn, my husband got a stent in February and I was scared he was going to die, God bless you and hope you enjoy many years of health with your wife.♥️🙏
The fact that they haven't been recognized by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is just one more reason that the RnRHoF is completely bogus. (Another reason? Iron Maiden! WTF?)
I've tried to tell this to other classic rock fans but it goes in one ear and out the other. Listen to Mirrors then listen to Secret Treaties. Like two different bands.
@@RetroRooNE001It's a shame that the weirdness screens so many people out, because as far as I'm concerned it's one of their best qualities. Which BÖC are we gonna get today? Existential musing on the nature of death? A love song about a vampire? A hype song for their favourite monster movie? Nobody knows!
This song is pure genius. Just the opening riff would have made it an iconic song. But there are a dozen more parts of this song that are equally iconic. I honestly don't know how any mortal human being can create such a masterpiece. Buck, if you're reading this, you've brought joy to people the world over with this song. Thank you.
Totally! and "Burning for You" is also one the greats. Music Lightning in a Bottle. The songs are total works of art and genius writing/arrangements. What makes them so good is all the tasteful guitar licks (and as RB mentioned a middle eastern sound). As a young guitar player growing up in the 70"s, you had to have these tunes in your R&R repertoire and learning the solos made you a better player! I agree with RB- Reaper has to be one of the best Classic R&R hits, the song is just perfect :)
And like many big hits, they were surprised at its popularity. Great song which has many great parts from the main riff to the blistering screeching solo! I never get sick of hearing this song and have it in my workout playlists (great energy for working out).
This is my favorite rock song ever recorded. But I don't hear dozens of different parts in this song, it basically only has two (plus the solo section) and that's one of the reasons why I love it so much.
I love Buck’s solos because he builds them, weaving different phrases together, changing tempo at times, creating solos that you rarely hear. His solos take you on a journey
That Fm solo reminds me of something from mid-70's Yes. I've looked through other comments and seen others who were reminded of different guitarists, so maybe there was just something about the mid-70's that encouraged a little more out there guitar solos.
Totally agree on the journey aspect. His Veteran of the Psychic Wars solo on Extraterrestrial Live makes one feel as if one is standing outside of space and time. David Gilmour is the only one who outshines him in that regard.
The solo after the key change is like a struggle or a fight with the reaper. Crying out in pain as Buck goes through a heart attack. Then calm again as his life is returned to normal and the bell keeps beating with the high hat tremors of a heart murmur. Beautiful to know the story behind the song. Than you Rick.
I was B.O.C.'s sound man for the first 12 years of their endless touring journey and, indeed, Buck's Reaper demo features a cardboard box accompaniment. He does play drums, by the way. I have a UA-cam channel where I post many of the exclusive tracks I collected back in the day from our rehearsal process and tours.
@@ekayaniperforms Just search for my name on UA-cam. There IS a channel from Greece (yes, another George Geranios..one of many it seems) but he has modified his name.
Hey George - I opened for them many years as the soft white underbelly at Suny Stony Brook (I was Cummin' Tyde). I worked with Sandy Perlman and Howie Klein on school concerts at Stony Brook....
The solo in this song is one of the creepiest and most interesting leads I've ever heard. Every time I hear it I wonder how they came up with it. Also NBC sucks for making you take a 3 second GIF out.
I agree- I would say "Haunting" because the song's theme, mood and emotion is carried along so well with all of the guitar playing. I am glad there are these classic 70's hits like Reaper and that Ric Beato can share them with us with the theory and interviews! I don't hear any modern music that is a emotional and clever. BOC built the Mold then Broke it. Fantastic music all the way around :)
Buck Dharma must be the most exquisitely melodic guitarist I can think of. His vocal and lead style are so far removed from the posturing norm of 70s rawk yet he can really rip. And he's written some great songs.
True, along with the pre-solo riff. I had this song on a 45 pretty soon after it came out. Whenever that solo section started my sister got upset because she thought it was satanic. She said she could actually feel the evil spirits in the house.
@@cozmicpfunk Yes ... I like the word "haunting" or even "mournful". The solo fits the theme of the lyrics so well. The whole song is sorrowful while also somehow life-affirming and just bloody majestic. Hits me smack in the heart every time I hear it.
Buck's story is a deep, enlightening insight to this well-known song - again, well done.... and he has a good sense of humor about the skit- what a relief! Whew!
It really is one of the greatest songs ever. I remember hearing it the first time in a friend's car on party night. We were all blown away. Same thing happened when Heart's Magic Man came on. They gave us hope in the disco era.
Random thought but Don seems like a dude you’d see at a local breakfast cafe and not even realize your sitting next to a legend. Also love how he played his parts for the interview you can tell he loves to play guitar ❤️ 🎸
We just saw BOC live (7/31/22). Before the show I looked to our right and there was a familiar figure walking down the aisle toward the stage. I told my wife, "You better look quick, that's Buck Dharma Roeser right there." While she was saying "no way", a young family walked quickly past us toward him as he stopped when he saw them. The little girl in the family said, "It's Donald!" as they ran up to him. He must have spent close to 20 minutes talking with them before he slipped out of the theater. It appeared most people didn't realize who he was. One of the coolest moments I've ever seen of someone I consider to be a rock legend just being one of us. This capped off a special month where we were walking into a convenience store in Tampa where a familiar face was standing in line. I told my wife, "Look, that's Iggy Pop right there." She confirmed it on her phone. (Have some faith, please.) Another legend just being like one of us except for the fact his chauffeur drove him away.
The cowbell is thematically fitting as a stand-in for the ticking away of time to the inevitable meeting with the Reaper. Hear the ticking? It means you're still alive in the now. And maybe it's also a symptom of a very minor or tongue in cheek demo-itis - hommage au métronome?
Here's my personal connection...I played bass in a grunge band in the 90's that did a mix of covers and original music. BOC did a show at a nearby casino and needed a local band to open up for them. The radio station putting the event on reached out to us and we got to do the show. Was a highlight for us for sure!
Awesome! That's a GREAT memory to be able to carry around. Some people want to be famous themselves (I think we all have that dream), but as I've gotten older, I've realized that what is REALLY cool and exciting is when you're invited to share the stage with someone you admire. Or sometimes, you come to admire them as you watch them. Sure, there ARE the ones you might have admired BEFORE hearing their snarky comments - that they will NEVER share the stage with you again - but with egos that big, you ALWAYS run into jealousy! Then you see someone like Dharma, and his humility is inspiring! Thank you for sharing your memory!
@@melodygrim471 Yes, you hit the nail on the head. I didn't make a career of music, but I will always play it and enjoy it. I'm often actually thankful to have led a normal life, only occasionally stepping into the bubble of people that "made it" in the business. It was exciting whenever it happened, but it would have wrecked music to make it my living.
A friend of mine's band opened for Ozzy in front of 20K ppl about 20 years ago. They edged my band out in a contest put on by the local FM station. We were bummed but they deserved it, and we got the full back stage experience as the consolation prize. Another group I knew back then opened for QOTSA at a big concert hall. They said it was pretty surreal, drinking with their heroes. Said they were nice dudes. Ozzy's team and group were very very nice.
@@peachmelba1000 That would have been absolutely mind bending to open for Ozzy! So cool that you got to hang backstage for that show and meet the band. Glad you shared those stories. It's the stuff to remember for a lifetime.
People should listen to the album they put out in 2020, The Symbol Remains. One of the best albums they've made and easily my favorite new album over the last few years.
TSR is as good as "new" music gets in my book. Brilliant release, and so happy they're still out there AND putting out new music...Nightmare Epiphany, Florida Man, and the mighty Alchemist all 10/10s!
@WisdomJX No, either have I . To clarify, most folks have no idea who Don Roeser or his on-stage persona Buck Dharma are unless they are BOC fans; and that’s unfortunate. The guy can flat-out play with the best of ‘em. L.I. has Joe Satch, Steve Vai, Don Roeser, I’m sure many more great guitarists.
That sustain out of the guitar solo (from the Fm to G7 section) almost through the entire next verse that cultivates into that slide upwards... that's one of my favorite moments in rock and roll.
Something you didn't mention is just how lovely Don's voice is. No, it's not a great or classic rock vocal but its beautiful softness draws you into the mood of the song in a way that a stronger voice just wouldn't do.
When they hit that section with the "seasons don't fear the reaper" lyric, I always thought it sounded like a Ventures song. Then when you ask him about his favorite guitarists, he mentions the Ventures. So cool. Great video, Rick.
So true…I always liked how after the bridge guitar solo, Buck let’s the guitar just feedback for a long time…Then ends it with an upward bend. They were genius.
That part uses an A G F E progression using a root 6 barre chord. The Ventures used the same progression in Walk Don't Run. The timing of the changes is a little different - much to the disappointment of copyright lawyers everywhere.
One of the greatest guitar solos of all time, imo. Gives me goosebumps every time. It's a perfect example of using a key change for artistic impact and not just technical wankery or songwriting laziness.
Grand Funk's "American Band" literally starts with them; SNL could have made the skit about that one since it was more noticeable, but i suspect DFTR was more popular and they preferred to use it for that reason.
one of the greatest somgs of all time. the vocals kill too. he didnt try to over do it or try to hard. gives it a dreamy kind of haze. cuts deep. this is what its all about.
Veteran was always my favorite BOC song. I saw them in 1987 or 88 at the Bayou in Washington DC. And then I just saw them this year in Jim Thorpe Pennsylvania. I always considered myself a casual fan until seeing them again and now I’m listening them to them constantly. There is a long live version of Astronomy that is excellent several awesome versions of Then Came the Last Days of May, Joan Crawford and Flaming Telepaths get multiple plays
Aw man, this was one of the best video made by Rick. I mean this is so awesome, that he can get these great great musicans to tell they’re story and open up the songs.. i mean Rick will definately will be remembered as a teacher who always went one step further and deeper than others. Hope youngsters will find this content and some day grow enough to appreciate these stories 😃
The key change guitar solo has always blown my mind. All of it a true masterpiece that captures the essence of the lyrics. Similar to Renaissance word painting or something. I love how far-removed that solo sounds from the rest of the song but yet it still manages to tie together seamlessly.
I remember when my daughter was in her mid-teens when she wanted nothing to do with me or anything I liked, especially music. We were in the car together and this song came on the radio. I could literally see it grab her attention as she heard the lyrics and the music for the first time. It was a great example of the amazing power of music to bridge gaps between people. We could agree on at least one thing...'This is a REALLY good song!'
"More Cowbell!" Great stuff. I saw Blue Oyster Cult at the Boston Garden right after I got out of the Army in 1977. They were in top form and the searing guitar solo in Don't Fear the Reaper has always been one of my favorites since then. What a fantastic night! What an honor it is to see the master himself playing these guitar solos on this video. Well done sir! 👏 👏👏
I used to teach that to many guitar students. Between the music in general, the harmonies, the great riffs and solos, arrangement, and on and on, I began to think of it as one of the most perfect rock songs in musical history.
The key change takes the song into a very Moody Blues type of a vibe. It’s great to go back and tune into these songs that played the background of music of my childhood, and to see the musicians still able to knock out the riffs as if they were still rockin the long hair and bell bottoms. I always enjoy your videos.
Listening to Rick solo the harmony vocals, it struck me that Don't Fear the Reaper really mixes 1960s and 1970s styles (and the Moody Blues spanned that gap of course and also helped create the sounds of both decades). The vocal melody and the harmony vocals behind it are kind of like something you could imagine the Turtles singing. The wistfulness of the melody is a bit like late-1960s Kinks songs. But the "interlude" guitar solo over the Fm chord has a very 1970s vibe, sounding something that Rush would stick in the middle of a song. And as Rick mentioned, the song structure is less conventional than most 1960s pop, and closer to prog rock.
Doesn’t seem to have lost much in shred speed or dexterity over the years. If 2022 is BOC’s 50th anniv., how old is Don? Early/Mid/Late ‘70s. Maybe even 80 years old?!? Wow!
I saw them twice in 78 at Newcastle City Hall (UK) and was blown away. In fact part of the live album Some Enchanted Evening was recorded on one of those nights. Buck is a highly underrated player. His live solo in Last Days Of May is still incredible. Saw them again in 2002 and he was still on fire!
Buck is one of the greatest guitarists from that era. He ain`t super speedy, he does not beat you over the head with overbearing guitar, like say, Ted Nugent. His phrasing is beautiful and his tone is super . He is a riff machine man. Think of how many B.O.C. tunes you can spot after 1 bar of music. Great guitarist!
Buck is one of the greats and I think somewhat under estimated. I've had the pleasure of seeing him with BOC twice. The great ones learn from others, but then blaze their own path. That's what Buck has done. I have heard him called the father of sci-fi rock. Works for me.
Funny you mention Ted Nugent. I saw BOC in 1981 at an outdoor stadium. Whoever set up the audio really messed up for Ted Nugent and BOC, all that was audible of the roar of sound that reached me about 2/3rds of the stadium away was the cowbell from Reaper. Nothing of Nugent was recognizable at all. Heart and Loverboy, however, were crystal clear. It taught me how important setting up audio is, especially in larger venues.
I got to see them this past October’21 in a packed theater in Rutland, VT. They killed it! High energy, amazing BOC show! They’ve still got it for sure
Saw them last year (for the first time) and they still put on a good show. Sorry it took me so long to see them, but glad I got to check it off the box.
Living in Monterey, CA during the early 1980's, BOC would play every year or so at "The Club" for 4-500 hundred fans and usually bill themselves as Soft White Underbelly, a not so secret show that sold out in an hour or so. As they vacationed there as well, you could count on an autograph or two. Buck Dharma was always super gracious to the fans. They were Huge in our guitar community. Almost every band had a couple of Blue Oyster Cult covers they played. My first song ever learned in total. Great job Mr. Beato!
Saw BOC as well in or around 84 in LA at some small club as Soft White Underbelly. Great show, I still remember well. Had front of terrace seats. Great job, Rick.
I'm going to have an "OK Boomer" moment, but I have to say that Reaper is the essence of what I love about classic rock. It's multidimensional! A lot of what I hear today is ear candy by comparison. Songs like Reaper take the listener on a JOURNEY!
And there were no ear candy songs in top 40 radio in the 70s? Most of the radio hits were ear candy crap in the 70s. Look back at billboard for the decade. It wasn’t all “great classic rock” like you all seem to remember
@@fixedgear37 True. But even the "ear candy" of that time period was far more sophisticated musically than today's pop music. I must add that there's a ton of great artists out there now, but they're not getting the attention that they deserve due to how the music industry is structured now. There's exceptions of course, but homogenized music is what gets pushed for the most part.
@@fixedgear37 While I agree there was plenty of crap in the 60s & 70s, & theres good tunes today if you dig enough. But those two decades did have the most consistent over saturation yet quality I've ever seen. 68 to 72 in particular churned out a roller coaster of rock&roll
There are still a lot of transcendental songs being made, to suggest a few: Kevin Penkin - Hanezeve Caradina & Tozo Hanoline Casey Edwards - Bury The Light Suckers - A Mind i Knew
Big big big buck drama fan. A major guitar influence for me. His leads, his live shows in boc's premier days are something unique and mesmerizing. There is not really anyone like him, he was and is on his own path.
Still holds up today. There are songs I never tire of and this one is at the top. Hauntingly beautiful. This and Carry On Wayward Son are the two best classic rock songs from bands that did not have huge commercial success.
The greatest single guitar note in rock history is that feedback note that's held forever and then bent up at the very end. I could just listen to that note . ..
Four years ago my mom passed away unexpectedly. All day the day before, I just knew something bad would happen. I can't explain it. It was a feeling of impending doom. Combine that with hearing Don't fear the reaper everywhere, and it was like god tapping me on the shoulder and saying "ey somebody gonna die." My son had started tapping on something in his room, and it sounded like cowbell, making me think of the song. It was on a movie coming from one of the TV's. Heard it on the radio. Neighbor was blasting it at one point. It was everywhere
Blue Oyster Cult is one of my favorite bands of all time! I've been a huge fan since I was a kid in the early 80s. Buck is one of the elite classic rock guitar players, and these guys have albums full of great songs. I've been waiting for this episode for a long time. Tyranny and Mutation and Spectres are my personal two favorite BOC albums, but I love them all!
I love Buck Dharma's solos. Excellent choice of notes - you will rarely hear him noodling on the pentatonic box. Also a good singer, not as high range as Eric Bloom but very nice timbre and delivery.
Buck is an awesome guitar player. Very underappreciated. I've seen them twice, once in a big big hall with that incredible light show and then in a really small club in Allenstown, PA. BOC is a great band!
I was so excited to see that Rick was breaking down this song and Buck was participating in it. Reaper is a tremendous song, and it’s great to know what inspired it. The shift and the explosive guitar solo entry always sends a jolt and thrill through me.
I remember distinctly, the first time I heard "Don't Fear the Reaper"... I was parked on an overlook on Skyline Blvd in Oakland California, and my buddy and I were listening to the radio via my own custom built, remote speaker, car audio system. Two notes into the song, and I was cranking up the volume to just shy of Self-Destruct! As soon as the song was over, we packed up the speakers, and beat feet over to Tower Records in Berkeley to snag a couple of copies of Agents of Fortune! Good times!
I was on a boat fishing on a lake with my uncle when I first heard don't fear the reaper. My uncle had a CD player in the boat and had a mix CD of all 70's and 80's music. He only had one CD so it was on repeat. Everytime don't fear the reaper played we seemed to slay the fish. Everytime I hear this song I think of the fishing trip.
I had to get AoF back then because of DFtR and loved loved loved the whole album. Patti Smith on Revenge of Vera Gemini, E.T.I., Debbie Denise, all those songs, I still put it on and dig every note. Don't Fear the Reaper is just driven, so beautifully arranged and really crackles with layered guitar artistry, no wonder it's such a classic!
I’m really glad Rick did this video. When me and some friends would ask each other the question “greatest rock song of all time?” I started thinking myself, Don’t Fear the Reaper. I don’t think it gets brought up as much as I think it should, partially because it took on this second life/meaning after the cowbell sketch.
Hey Rick.. I think at that point in the 70s there were no "conventional" songs... It was an open blank canvas for bands. A fantastic time to be a young musician ... for the bands ... and even more so listening
Absolutely! No one "sounded" like anyone else. No one even tried to sound like anyone else. They may have favored certain styles of music, but you could easily tell every band, vocalist or 'sound' apart.
One of my favourite bands of all time! I'm so glad to see that people like Buck are still talking about their stuff in 2022 - that's not a given for rock fans
It amazes me how DFTR propels itself forward with so much energy. It's like a page-turning novel that just keeps rolling forward. Full props to the rhythm section!
I've got a picture of me hanging out with boc back in the early 80s, I was a DJ in Corpus Christi and we got to hang out with them backstage after the concert, they were super chill
What I love about this tune is it is relentless... That haunting riff is drilled into your soul... I'm seeing them for the 100th next month... Looking forward to it...
When Rick highlights an artist or band, sales will most likely go up. That's how they make money. If no one talks about them , people forget. Copyright Cowards are fools , plain and simple.
It's all a question of effort. It is much easier to blanket ban everyone than to pick out, every day, the one or two instances where the music/images are being used positively. They would need to hire someone /many people, maybe full-time, to check each flagged usage to weed out people like Rick and then judge if it was a genuine usage and not a parasite ripping off a living from others work. It would cost too much to do this for each copy writed piece and it is far too much effort .
@@stevebird9510 You assume that the artists have the time, inclination and/or ability to think. Many, perhaps most, have little control over their copy writes. They are often held large businesses who are driven by cost. Even the Beatles had no control over their music, IIRC Michael Jackson bought them. It is far simpler and cheaper to carpet bomb than it is to use a guided missile ...
@@I_Don_t_want_a_handle Very True about today's musicians. Most have no idea what's going on behind the scenes. Badginger is an excellent example of a band that ended up broke because of poor management. The Beatles however took control over their music with the release of Rubber Soul and even created Apple Records. I guess the moral of the story is , if you want it done right , do it yourself or live with your poor choices.
Love how your "What Makes" videos have evolved to include the artists responsible for them. Doing something approaching feature journalism pieces at this point -- and I love it.
Great subject, Rick, and … how’s *that* for a “guest commentator” 😎 (Buck Dharma himself)? 😁 “DFTR” and its “bookend” “Burning for You” are two BÖC songs of which I never get tired! I frequently play Fire of Unknown Origin, especially, to this day, and it came out the year I graduated highschool 😎 - that’s a lot of “longevity” 🤣, to say nothing of the endurance of “DFTR” ❤️. I mean, c’mon 😎 - “Vengeance (The Pact)” and the utterly-perfect “Veteran of the Psychic Wars”, both of which found their way into the movie Heavy Metal (“V / TP” was explicitly written for the “Tarna” segment). Full disclosure: While I find it as hilarious as everyone else does, I was always puzzled that the writers happened to pick that song for a skit about “overweening cowbell”. The song I always think of as having “cowbell über alles” 😎 is “We’re an American Band”, Grand Funk Railroad 🙂!
@@kingman9k I don’t sleep on these, only dream … of what a hoot it must be to hear BÖC play “Godzilla” in Japan 😁! Obviously, that’s a song with a “Special Feeling” 😎 for them 😆! (apologies to Fred Rogers 🙂)
This is incredible! I am absolutely happy to go on record to say that Blue Oyster Cult are the most underrated rock band in history. Criminally, criminally underated. They deserved so much success than this and Burning For You. This is probably the only "overplayed" rock song that I don't mind hearing over and over (Paranoid, Africa, Jump etc.) This band is pure magic.
"Burning for You" has a similar feel to "DFTR". "Hot Rails to Hell" is my personal favorite BOC song. "Astronomy" is quite interesting - "Godzilla" and don't forget the all time classic "Are You Ready to Rock ?" ( we only live to be born again).
Reaper gets all the attention but for me it was their first three albums that remain bullet proof. You can hear just about every type of music imaginable on those. Favorites of mine like Cities on Flame with Rock n Roll, Stairway to the Stars, Last Days of May, Teen Archer and Mistress Of The Salmon Salt.
OH MY GOD BUCK DHARMA ! He's my favorite guitarist. The Extraterrestrial live of "Veteran of the psychic war" is my favorite music piece ever, from 2:30 on the solo is just... I've never heard anything like this. I always put it on when I have friends or dates coming over. They always note it on their phone and talk about it months later... I encourage everyone one of you guitar lovers to check "Veteran of the psychics war - Extraterrestrial live" and wait for 2:30. I promise it will change how you think about music.
Yup, it's almost like call and response w/ the echo, and another really haunting sounding part from one of the most melodic and tasteful players ever... I said it many times before you know "Don't Fear The Reaper" is my all time favorite rock and roll song, no question. Perfection, o' haunting rock n' roll Valentine. "Veteran" is in the movie "Heavy Metal" and I believe "Heavy Metal (Black and Silver" was ❤️ also written for the movie but they used "VOTPW" instead. It's of course another one of my favorites from the Masters along with "And Then Came The Last Days Of May". AND WHEN YOU FIGURE IN THE RESPECT THESE GUYS HANDLE COVERS WITH FROM THE ANIMALS, THE DOORS, AND THE MC5 WELL, GOT TO GIVE THEM KUDOS...
BÖC is one of my all time favorite bands. I've been a fan since the beginning of 80's when I got Fire of Unknown Origin and Agents of Fortune LPs from my uncle. You really didn't hear the band that much in Finnish radio back then, so kudos to my uncle :) Great video!
I always knew this song absolutely shredded but holy hell hearing it broken down into segments so clearly -- massive appreciation for a song I already loved!! Fantastic video, Rick!
You know, this is one of the few songs that too me still holds up. Many songs from my youth have lost their appeal but this one, still mesmerizes. It's the definition of a classic. And the lead break section is still amazing.
when you hear the isolated guitar playing the solos as you say it is a wonderful tone which modern production no longer gets. Watching Buck Dharma play that solo on a Steinberger was really awesome
For me, It's the masterful way that the musicians of BOC combine the expected with the unexpected in their songs while wrapping it all in a solid groove with a driving beat and authentic mood is what keeps me listening to them decade after decade. we've heard these songs a thousand times, but somehow it always seem fresh and familiar all at once.
I used to play this in a band with an old friend who has since passed on. Makes you feel like a real rock star when you’re doing it in front of people.
Buck is also funny as HELL and must not take himself too seriously as he parodies what many BOC fans must have thought of him when he joins Blotto on the song "Metal Head". I have always gotten a vibe from BOC they were rather making fun of the whole rock and roll scene (particularly the Heavy Metal scene) while still making some of the greatest rock and roll songs. Genius.
Don seems like a real chill, quiet and humble guy. And a good sport too. I must admit, the cowbell is louder in my inner ear and mind than it is on the record.
I'm surprised that it wasn't mentioned that when Don't Fear The Reaper was played on radio stations using heavy compression the cowbell was brought way up in front of the mix due to the way compression works. Also, I've spent many days and nights listening to Buck Dharma's amazing playing and I want to thank him for the tunes. He really made life better.
Yes, hearing that song on Radio back then had the Cowbell more prominent. What a great video- what is amazing is how BOC was a perfect band in the middle of 70's Rock, Pop, Prog, really any genre of radio friendly music that would become heavy metal hard rock etc. The guitar playing in that band is top notch against any other band of the time (Boston, Rush, JPreist, Genesis, Yes, I could go on etc.) and what makes BOC so great is they made Pop radio friendly hard edge R&R and yet had so catchy melodies and riffs- no one else like them. Buck is so gracious playing for Ric on his Steinberger ( I have one too!) Total class act- wish I could have seen them live...
This is probably my favorite rock songs of all time. It's just perfect with its moody atmosphere. Buck Dharma is one of the most underrated guitarists out there. The scope of his work with BÖC is astounding.
The first time I heard this was in the intro of 'The Stand' miniseries in a brilliantly fitting setting. I cannot hear it without thinking about that. Great song.
OMG……. LOVE THIS SONG SO MUCH!!! I was born in 1974, My Dad had the Blue Oyster Cult Vynal . He has home videos of me bringing him the album 💿 asking him to play “ Don’t Fear the Reaper “. It’s my Favorite Song of All Time. I still listen to it everyday ❤ My Dad is a drummer, he taught me how to play the drums, when I was 7 years old he put me in guitar lessons 🎸 After learning the drums & guitar I loved the song even more. 60’s & 70’s rock is my favorite!!!
Absolutely love this song. It also reminds me of the opening of the 1990's miniseries "The Stand", a very good memory of my youth. When you UA-camrs highlight, analyze, and cover these songs, it reignites my love for them. I don't get why companies block these videos. I get more interested in the songs and the bands when people like you do videos like this.
Don't forget the scene in "Halloween" where Reaper is playing on the car radio while you see Michael Myers in the background keying in on Jamie Lee Curtis.....both tongue in cheek and chilling at the same time...
I bought the CD re-issue when it came out several years ago, and as a bonus, it included Buck’s demo ( home recording ) of “ Reaper “. It was pretty cool! Great album!
I think there is this door in all of us that is programmed to react to certain musical keys or chord progressions; and "Don't Fear The Reaper" is one of those. There is just something about that riff that makes the hairs on my arms stand up. It's warm and inviting, but almost resigned to its fate. The story about Don's heart condition makes a lot of sense. And the guitar work on this song is seriously underrated.
Classic rock artists need to watch this carefully and understand that Rick is the most important person carrying the torch of their music to the next generations, and if they don't stop this copyright madness, they will be left behind. Thank you Dharma and Rick!
This comment above is so accurate, I can't like it hard enough.
Mixed feelings. I can't blame a professional musician for wanted to get paid for their work. That's how they make their living. Would you work for free?
@@magicbrownie1357 they don’t get paid unless people buy their music, how do you know to buy something you haven’t been exposed to?
Commenters need to read this carefully and understand that there are many people just as important as Rick carrying the the torch of this music to the next generation and if they don't stop this continued use of cliche ridden, overblown hyperbole they will be laughed of of UA-cam
Well said!
It's ironic that NBC does a skit about a song and then decades later won't allow three seconds of the skit to be shown in a video interview with the actual writer of the song. Too many damn lawyers.
NBC is NOTORIOUS for going after any uploads from SNL musical appearances. Really pisses me off cause the Cars appearance on Halloween was incredible and it's always immediately getting pulled
Perhaps they are worried the bands whose music they featured will go after them - unfortunately not unrealistically.
When I was recovering from major open heart surgery and a severe stroke. My daughter and I sang it in the hospital ward, while she hit a book with a pencil intimating Will Ferrell. Sometimes you just gotta laugh at death.I'd rather hit the end of the trail with a smile on my face and laughter, than slouched over with self pity. thank you gentlemen.It's amazing what music and laughter can do for the human soul.
Dude, glad you're still here!
Great story, and a great attitude!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I know exactly what you mean about laughing at death. When I woke up from quintuple bypass, my Boss, who actually Did care about his employees. Visited me still groggy from anesthesia, "How are you doing?" He asked.
"I can kick every ass on this floor., ' I said.
'He's still doped up, ' my wife said.
@@michaellefort6128 damn, my husband got a stent in February and I was scared he was going to die, God bless you and hope you enjoy many years of health with your wife.♥️🙏
@@jdenino6022 nothing to fear, I have four stents. It's the kidney failure that might kill you.
Blue Ouster Cult is the most diverse band I've ever heard. Why they've been completely snubbed by the music industry is beyond comprehension.
100% true, just too good to comprehend for many it seems.
The fact that they haven't been recognized by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is just one more reason that the RnRHoF is completely bogus.
(Another reason? Iron Maiden! WTF?)
I've tried to tell this to other classic rock fans but it goes in one ear and out the other. Listen to Mirrors then listen to Secret Treaties. Like two different bands.
Because they're weird.
@@RetroRooNE001It's a shame that the weirdness screens so many people out, because as far as I'm concerned it's one of their best qualities.
Which BÖC are we gonna get today? Existential musing on the nature of death? A love song about a vampire? A hype song for their favourite monster movie? Nobody knows!
Buck is such a great guitarist. Criminally underrated. He is one of the great innovators
Have thought that since their 1st album, then seeing them live in '72.
And emulators, Skoob. He's the master of variation!
Saw them live and yes, he's incredible 👍
Such a great guitarist. His solo on the live version of Veteran of the Psychic Wars is incredible.
I just heard his solo improv on Oct 26th 1979 live rendition of "Astronomy" and was blown away 🤯
This song is pure genius. Just the opening riff would have made it an iconic song. But there are a dozen more parts of this song that are equally iconic. I honestly don't know how any mortal human being can create such a masterpiece. Buck, if you're reading this, you've brought joy to people the world over with this song. Thank you.
Totally! and "Burning for You" is also one the greats. Music Lightning in a Bottle. The songs are total works of art and genius writing/arrangements. What makes them so good is all the tasteful guitar licks (and as RB mentioned a middle eastern sound). As a young guitar player growing up in the 70"s, you had to have these tunes in your R&R repertoire and learning the solos made you a better player! I agree with RB- Reaper has to be one of the best Classic R&R hits, the song is just perfect :)
The opening riff is just stunning in its almost eerie persistence.
And like many big hits, they were surprised at its popularity. Great song which has many great parts from the main riff to the blistering screeching solo!
I never get sick of hearing this song and have it in my workout playlists (great energy for working out).
This is my favorite rock song ever recorded. But I don't hear dozens of different parts in this song, it basically only has two (plus the solo section) and that's one of the reasons why I love it so much.
Cities aflame with Rock & Roll........off their first album was pretty awesome as well!! Jim C.
I love Buck’s solos because he builds them, weaving different phrases together, changing tempo at times, creating solos that you rarely hear. His solos take you on a journey
That Fm solo reminds me of something from mid-70's Yes. I've looked through other comments and seen others who were reminded of different guitarists, so maybe there was just something about the mid-70's that encouraged a little more out there guitar solos.
Totally agree on the journey aspect. His Veteran of the Psychic Wars solo on Extraterrestrial Live makes one feel as if one is standing outside of space and time. David Gilmour is the only one who outshines him in that regard.
What a legend.
My solos take you on a journey as well. Usually to the bathroom. I do what I can.
Agreed. My favorite is on Nosforatu, but as far as taking you on a journey type, that would be Veteran of the Psychic Wars or Last Days of May live.
The solo after the key change is like a struggle or a fight with the reaper. Crying out in pain as Buck goes through a heart attack. Then calm again as his life is returned to normal and the bell keeps beating with the high hat tremors of a heart murmur. Beautiful to know the story behind the song. Than you Rick.
I was B.O.C.'s sound man for the first 12 years of their endless touring journey and, indeed, Buck's Reaper demo features a cardboard box accompaniment. He does play drums,
by the way. I have a UA-cam channel where I post many of the exclusive tracks I collected back in the day from our rehearsal process and tours.
Post the link for your channel ???
@@ekayaniperforms Just search for my name on UA-cam. There IS a channel from Greece (yes, another George Geranios..one of many it seems) but he has modified his name.
Hey George - I opened for them many years as the soft white underbelly at Suny Stony Brook (I was Cummin' Tyde). I worked with Sandy Perlman and Howie Klein on school concerts at Stony Brook....
@@paulfeuerstein6143 That was how I met Sandy Pearman and his crew. Long long time ago my friend!
I always liked "Cities on flame" & "Godzilla" just as much...just say'n 👋🤓🤙
The solo in this song is one of the creepiest and most interesting leads I've ever heard. Every time I hear it I wonder how they came up with it. Also NBC sucks for making you take a 3 second GIF out.
I agree- I would say "Haunting" because the song's theme, mood and emotion is carried along so well with all of the guitar playing. I am glad there are these classic 70's hits like Reaper and that Ric Beato can share them with us with the theory and interviews! I don't hear any modern music that is a emotional and clever. BOC built the Mold then Broke it. Fantastic music all the way around :)
The pre-solo intro riff does NOT help at all. (min to diminished minor?)
Buck Dharma must be the most exquisitely melodic guitarist I can think of. His vocal and lead style are so far removed from the posturing norm of 70s rawk yet he can really rip. And he's written some great songs.
True, along with the pre-solo riff. I had this song on a 45 pretty soon after it came out. Whenever that solo section started my sister got upset because she thought it was satanic. She said she could actually feel the evil spirits in the house.
@@cozmicpfunk Yes ... I like the word "haunting" or even "mournful". The solo fits the theme of the lyrics so well. The whole song is sorrowful while also somehow life-affirming and just bloody majestic. Hits me smack in the heart every time I hear it.
Buck's story is a deep, enlightening insight to this well-known song - again, well done.... and he has a good sense of humor about the skit- what a relief! Whew!
He lives in the immortal realm now, his song and that skit have transcended mere rock and roll music.
Agreed. I'm wondering about the contribution of the producer tho -- it's THE Bruce Dickinson, after all!
Read this in Homestars voice
I used his excited giddy voice - well done.
I know
I always wondered about that.
It really is one of the greatest songs ever. I remember hearing it the first time in a friend's car on party night. We were all blown away. Same thing happened when Heart's Magic Man came on. They gave us hope in the disco era.
Random thought but Don seems like a dude you’d see at a local breakfast cafe and not even realize your sitting next to a legend. Also love how he played his parts for the interview you can tell he loves to play guitar ❤️ 🎸
He’s very low key. They still tour because they love to play, not to pay of debt.
100
He's like everybody's uncle.
With his heart condition and all makes him even more mellow and loveable.
We just saw BOC live (7/31/22). Before the show I looked to our right and there was a familiar figure walking down the aisle toward the stage. I told my wife, "You better look quick, that's Buck Dharma Roeser right there." While she was saying "no way", a young family walked quickly past us toward him as he stopped when he saw them. The little girl in the family said, "It's Donald!" as they ran up to him. He must have spent close to 20 minutes talking with them before he slipped out of the theater. It appeared most people didn't realize who he was. One of the coolest moments I've ever seen of someone I consider to be a rock legend just being one of us. This capped off a special month where we were walking into a convenience store in Tampa where a familiar face was standing in line. I told my wife, "Look, that's Iggy Pop right there." She confirmed it on her phone. (Have some faith, please.) Another legend just being like one of us except for the fact his chauffeur drove him away.
@@sngwrter49Iggy Pop, only one dude looks like him for sure, aside for the average dead man, haha.
The cowbell is thematically fitting as a stand-in for the ticking away of time to the inevitable meeting with the Reaper. Hear the ticking? It means you're still alive in the now. And maybe it's also a symptom of a very minor or tongue in cheek demo-itis - hommage au métronome?
Genius level comment - I’ll always hear it this way now!
Brilliant take on it.
That's effing brilliant. I feel like I've known that semi-subconsciously when listening to the song but just never verbalized it.
I have always thought this. It also explains why it ever so slightly gets louder as the song goes on. He's getting closer.
i visualize a metronome going back and forth when i hear it now. i think that's it.
Here's my personal connection...I played bass in a grunge band in the 90's that did a mix of covers and original music. BOC did a show at a nearby casino and needed a local band to open up for them. The radio station putting the event on reached out to us and we got to do the show. Was a highlight for us for sure!
Awesome! That's a GREAT memory to be able to carry around. Some people want to be famous themselves (I think we all have that dream), but as I've gotten older, I've realized that what is REALLY cool and exciting is when you're invited to share the stage with someone you admire. Or sometimes, you come to admire them as you watch them. Sure, there ARE the ones you might have admired BEFORE hearing their snarky comments - that they will NEVER share the stage with you again - but with egos that big, you ALWAYS run into jealousy! Then you see someone like Dharma, and his humility is inspiring! Thank you for sharing your memory!
@@melodygrim471 Yes, you hit the nail on the head. I didn't make a career of music, but I will always play it and enjoy it. I'm often actually thankful to have led a normal life, only occasionally stepping into the bubble of people that "made it" in the business. It was exciting whenever it happened, but it would have wrecked music to make it my living.
Grats on that gig, thats a no brainer to do that man! From one bass player to another.
A friend of mine's band opened for Ozzy in front of 20K ppl about 20 years ago. They edged my band out in a contest put on by the local FM station. We were bummed but they deserved it, and we got the full back stage experience as the consolation prize.
Another group I knew back then opened for QOTSA at a big concert hall. They said it was pretty surreal, drinking with their heroes. Said they were nice dudes.
Ozzy's team and group were very very nice.
@@peachmelba1000 That would have been absolutely mind bending to open for Ozzy! So cool that you got to hang backstage for that show and meet the band. Glad you shared those stories. It's the stuff to remember for a lifetime.
People should listen to the album they put out in 2020, The Symbol Remains. One of the best albums they've made and easily my favorite new album over the last few years.
I agree. The Symbol Remains is irrefutable proof that an older band can still produce masterpieces.
It’s one of the their best
Totally. It's awesome. Crazy awesome.
Absolutely brilliant. More and better Buck Dharma guitar work than anything since Agents of Fortune, and great songwriting.
TSR is as good as "new" music gets in my book. Brilliant release, and so happy they're still out there AND putting out new music...Nightmare Epiphany, Florida Man, and the mighty Alchemist all 10/10s!
Don “Buck Dharma” Roeser is one of the most underrated guitarists ever.
100% agree. What a thrill to see the lead guitarist of my favorite band on my favorite UA-cam music channel!
Agreed!
So true ! One of my favorite bands during my HS days. I saw them play in 73 in NYC on New Years eve and I was hooked ( kiss and iggy pop played too)
Buck Dharma is god.
@WisdomJX No, either have I . To clarify, most folks have no idea who Don Roeser or his on-stage persona Buck Dharma are unless they are BOC fans; and that’s unfortunate. The guy can flat-out play with the best of ‘em. L.I. has Joe Satch, Steve Vai, Don Roeser, I’m sure many more great guitarists.
That sustain out of the guitar solo (from the Fm to G7 section) almost through the entire next verse that cultivates into that slide upwards... that's one of my favorite moments in rock and roll.
Yeah, that feedback note made me start playing Really loud, because back in 1976 the only way to get feedback was to play at high volume!!
Right! That rise and then fade into nowhere.
Something you didn't mention is just how lovely Don's voice is. No, it's not a great or classic rock vocal but its beautiful softness draws you into the mood of the song in a way that a stronger voice just wouldn't do.
You made a very good point...
Him and David Gilmour have that same thing going. And they both happen to be insanely good guitarists.
I kinda got Moody Blues vibes from it
The genius of the man is unreal. How could he put together such sophistication at such a young age? Wow!
When they hit that section with the "seasons don't fear the reaper" lyric, I always thought it sounded like a Ventures song. Then when you ask him about his favorite guitarists, he mentions the Ventures. So cool. Great video, Rick.
So true…I always liked how after the bridge guitar solo, Buck let’s the guitar just feedback for a long time…Then ends it with an upward bend. They were genius.
Interesting too he mentions Robbie Krieger as an influence. Robbie doesn't often come up as a source.. But here we are !
That part uses an A G F E progression using a root 6 barre chord. The Ventures used the same progression in Walk Don't Run. The timing of the changes is a little different - much to the disappointment of copyright lawyers everywhere.
One of the greatest guitar solos of all time, imo. Gives me goosebumps every time. It's a perfect example of using a key change for artistic impact and not just technical wankery or songwriting laziness.
It is in the top ten breaks of all time, I have to agree. It's not just an average bridge either, It's a complete reworking of the tempo and time sig.
Agreed!
"There should be a compilation record of cowbell songs."
Couldn't agree more.
Mountain- Mississippi Queen
Leonid and Friends......Cover of "My Old School"/ Steely Dan
Grand Funk's "American Band" literally starts with them; SNL could have made the skit about that one since it was more noticeable, but i suspect DFTR was more popular and they preferred to use it for that reason.
Brilliant idea by Buck
Nazareth's "Hair of the Dog" and War's "Low Rider" should be at or near the top of the list.
I was blessed to see BOC last night 12/4/22 in Honolulu, at a smaller venue. AMAZING!
Thank you Rick for the wonderful videos 🙏
one of the greatest somgs of all time. the vocals kill too. he didnt try to over do it or try to hard. gives it a dreamy kind of haze. cuts deep. this is what its all about.
I just love how "self made rockstars" like Mr Buck Dharma are so down to earth guys. Thank you for providing these interviews!
"Buck Dharma" is one of my favorite hard rock guitarists ever, very underrated. My favorite B.O.C. song is "Veteran Of The Psychic Wars."
The way the song was incorporated into the Heavy Metal movie was great! One of my favorites too.
Veteran was always my favorite BOC song. I saw them in 1987 or 88 at the Bayou in Washington DC. And then I just saw them this year in Jim Thorpe Pennsylvania. I always considered myself a casual fan until seeing them again and now I’m listening them to them constantly. There is a long live version of Astronomy that is excellent several awesome versions of Then Came the Last Days of May, Joan Crawford and Flaming Telepaths get multiple plays
ETL Live Best Guitar Solo
@@stephenjones7520 seen him play it twice.
I remember them saying Elric of Melniboné by Michael Moorcock was an inspiration for this song.
Aw man, this was one of the best video made by Rick. I mean this is so awesome, that he can get these great great musicans to tell they’re story and open up the songs..
i mean Rick will definately will be remembered as a teacher who always went one step further and deeper than others.
Hope youngsters will find this content and some day grow enough to appreciate these stories 😃
That sustain note after the second to last solo gives me chills every time. Great song.
To me beauty comes when that feedback blends with the riff, it feels like flying.
One of my favorite guitarists. He rips and rocks, but he’s also so tasteful, haunting and unexpected. And not just in this song.
The key change guitar solo has always blown my mind. All of it a true masterpiece that captures the essence of the lyrics. Similar to Renaissance word painting or something. I love how far-removed that solo sounds from the rest of the song but yet it still manages to tie together seamlessly.
I remember when my daughter was in her mid-teens when she wanted nothing to do with me or anything I liked, especially music. We were in the car together and this song came on the radio. I could literally see it grab her attention as she heard the lyrics and the music for the first time. It was a great example of the amazing power of music to bridge gaps between people. We could agree on at least one thing...'This is a REALLY good song!'
That's an amazing story.
👏 Thank you 👍 😊
You've gotta try showing her some of their other songs.
I didn’t know Mike Ditka played guitar on that song!
"More Cowbell!" Great stuff.
I saw Blue Oyster Cult at the Boston Garden right after I got out of the Army in 1977. They were in top form and the searing guitar solo in Don't Fear the Reaper has always been one of my favorites since then. What a fantastic night!
What an honor it is to see the master himself playing these guitar solos on this video. Well done sir! 👏 👏👏
I just got chills reading this. Wow.
I used to teach that to many guitar students. Between the music in general, the harmonies, the great riffs and solos, arrangement, and on and on, I began to think of it as one of the most perfect rock songs in musical history.
The key change takes the song into a very Moody Blues type of a vibe. It’s great to go back and tune into these songs that played the background of music of my childhood, and to see the musicians still able to knock out the riffs as if they were still rockin the long hair and bell bottoms. I always enjoy your videos.
I've felt the same way, that it's a very Moody blues type song, and the birds, but obviously
Yes especially the story in your eyes kind of vibe...very hard to recreate
Or in his case, shop the gay and S&M shops for leathers. According to him.
Listening to Rick solo the harmony vocals, it struck me that Don't Fear the Reaper really mixes 1960s and 1970s styles (and the Moody Blues spanned that gap of course and also helped create the sounds of both decades). The vocal melody and the harmony vocals behind it are kind of like something you could imagine the Turtles singing. The wistfulness of the melody is a bit like late-1960s Kinks songs. But the "interlude" guitar solo over the Fm chord has a very 1970s vibe, sounding something that Rush would stick in the middle of a song. And as Rick mentioned, the song structure is less conventional than most 1960s pop, and closer to prog rock.
Doesn’t seem to have lost much in shred speed or dexterity over the years. If 2022 is BOC’s 50th anniv., how old is Don? Early/Mid/Late ‘70s. Maybe even 80 years old?!? Wow!
I saw them twice in 78 at Newcastle City Hall (UK) and was blown away. In fact part of the live album Some Enchanted Evening was recorded on one of those nights. Buck is a highly underrated player. His live solo in Last Days Of May is still incredible. Saw them again in 2002 and he was still on fire!
Buck is one of the greatest guitarists from that era. He ain`t super speedy, he does not beat you over the head with overbearing guitar, like say, Ted Nugent. His phrasing is beautiful and his tone is super . He is a riff machine man. Think of how many B.O.C. tunes you can spot after 1 bar of music. Great guitarist!
Buck's Boogie!
Lasts Days of May or even the whole first album,.Also to Ronnie Montrose and of course to Zepplin and to McLaughlin or UFO Phenomenon
I also love how he kicks it up a notch when playing live, with extended, improvisational, artful solos on songs like Reaper and ETI.
Buck is one of the greats and I think somewhat under estimated. I've had the pleasure of seeing him with BOC twice. The great ones learn from others, but then blaze their own path. That's what Buck has done. I have heard him called the father of sci-fi rock. Works for me.
Funny you mention Ted Nugent. I saw BOC in 1981 at an outdoor stadium. Whoever set up the audio really messed up for Ted Nugent and BOC, all that was audible of the roar of sound that reached me about 2/3rds of the stadium away was the cowbell from Reaper. Nothing of Nugent was recognizable at all.
Heart and Loverboy, however, were crystal clear.
It taught me how important setting up audio is, especially in larger venues.
One of the hooks of this song (and there are many) is echoing of the words "Romeo and Juliette" is just mesmerizing.
Agreed.
And the haunting, "we can be like they are..."
Super cool to see Buck and how well he’s still playing and singing. We should all be so lucky. :)
Who knew Mike Ditka could shred guitar? Seriously; yes "super cool' & I'm fortunate 2 see this.
I saw Buck play at a charity gig about 3 years ago and he's terrific.
@@robertakerman3570 he DOES looks like Ditka! Great observation.
I got to see them this past October’21 in a packed theater in Rutland, VT. They killed it! High energy, amazing BOC show! They’ve still got it for sure
Saw them last year (for the first time) and they still put on a good show. Sorry it took me so long to see them, but glad I got to check it off the box.
Just when I thought this video couldn't get any better, then comes Buck's live playing at the end. What a treat! Thank you both.
Living in Monterey, CA during the early 1980's, BOC would play every year or so at "The Club" for 4-500 hundred fans and usually bill themselves as Soft White Underbelly, a not so secret show that sold out in an hour or so. As they vacationed there as well, you could count on an autograph or two. Buck Dharma was always super gracious to the fans. They were Huge in our guitar community. Almost every band had a couple of Blue Oyster Cult covers they played. My first song ever learned in total. Great job Mr. Beato!
I saw one of those shows in ‘84.
Saw BOC as well in or around 84 in LA at some small club as Soft White Underbelly. Great show, I still remember well. Had front of terrace seats. Great job, Rick.
@@adamlawrence9107 I was there with you bro.... I believe it was at Perkins Palace.
So good, still playing together almost 40 years later...
I must have heard the song over a thousand times in my lifetime. It's up there with the best of Zeppelin, Floyd, etc. Such a masterful tune.
Always wanted an authentic sounding cowbell for my percussion instrument collection but those cows can run surprisingly fast when they need to.
Did you try asking them to borrow one first?
An ear of corn works.
I'm going to have an "OK Boomer" moment, but I have to say that Reaper is the essence of what I love about classic rock. It's multidimensional! A lot of what I hear today is ear candy by comparison. Songs like Reaper take the listener on a JOURNEY!
And there were no ear candy songs in top 40 radio in the 70s? Most of the radio hits were ear candy crap in the 70s. Look back at billboard for the decade. It wasn’t all “great classic rock” like you all seem to remember
@@fixedgear37 True. But even the "ear candy" of that time period was far more sophisticated musically than today's pop music. I must add that there's a ton of great artists out there now, but they're not getting the attention that they deserve due to how the music industry is structured now. There's exceptions of course, but homogenized music is what gets pushed for the most part.
@@fixedgear37 While I agree there was plenty of crap in the 60s & 70s, & theres good tunes today if you dig enough. But those two decades did have the most consistent over saturation yet quality I've ever seen. 68 to 72 in particular churned out a roller coaster of rock&roll
BOC FOREVER!!!!👍👍👍👍👍👍🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸
There are still a lot of transcendental songs being made, to suggest a few:
Kevin Penkin - Hanezeve Caradina & Tozo Hanoline
Casey Edwards - Bury The Light
Suckers - A Mind i Knew
Big big big buck drama fan. A major guitar influence for me. His leads, his live shows in boc's premier days are something unique and mesmerizing. There is not really anyone like him, he was and is on his own path.
not mentioned is how the vocals harmonize together and then split apart into call-and-response for the chorus, which I've always found fascinating
Love the way he takes a moment to get the vibe before he plays the solo. The importance of feel.
I love how happy guitar players look when playing. Like they are delighted by the magic flowing through their hands. So fun to watch.
Still holds up today. There are songs I never tire of and this one is at the top. Hauntingly beautiful. This and Carry On Wayward Son are the two best classic rock songs from bands that did not have huge commercial success.
The greatest single guitar note in rock history is that feedback note that's held forever and then bent up at the very end. I could just listen to that note . ..
Also the end of "Limelight" solo!
The greatest musical meme ever is Nigel Tufnel's "These go to eleven." scene. 🤣🤣🤣🤣 But this is a close second. Great video!
Four years ago my mom passed away unexpectedly. All day the day before, I just knew something bad would happen. I can't explain it. It was a feeling of impending doom. Combine that with hearing Don't fear the reaper everywhere, and it was like god tapping me on the shoulder and saying "ey somebody gonna die."
My son had started tapping on something in his room, and it sounded like cowbell, making me think of the song.
It was on a movie coming from one of the TV's.
Heard it on the radio.
Neighbor was blasting it at one point.
It was everywhere
Blue Oyster Cult is one of my favorite bands of all time! I've been a huge fan since I was a kid in the early 80s. Buck is one of the elite classic rock guitar players, and these guys have albums full of great songs. I've been waiting for this episode for a long time.
Tyranny and Mutation and Spectres are my personal two favorite BOC albums, but I love them all!
Spectres is my favorite, too
Blue Oyster Cult remains one of the greatest bands of all time and yet so little known. Thank you, Rick.
I love Buck Dharma's solos. Excellent choice of notes - you will rarely hear him noodling on the pentatonic box. Also a good singer, not as high range as Eric Bloom but very nice timbre and delivery.
So glad Buck played an extended DFTR end solo for your viewers! Priceless. Buck has been my hero since I first saw BOC in 1975.
Buck is an awesome guitar player. Very underappreciated. I've seen them twice, once in a big big hall with that incredible light show and then in a really small club in Allenstown, PA. BOC is a great band!
I was so excited to see that Rick was breaking down this song and Buck was participating in it. Reaper is a tremendous song, and it’s great to know what inspired it. The shift and the explosive guitar solo entry always sends a jolt and thrill through me.
Damn right, like a warning blast from an alien planet.
One of my LONG, long time faves! Since I first heard it
I remember distinctly, the first time I heard "Don't Fear the Reaper"...
I was parked on an overlook on Skyline Blvd in Oakland California, and my buddy and I were listening to the radio via my own custom built, remote speaker, car audio system. Two notes into the song, and I was cranking up the volume to just shy of Self-Destruct! As soon as the song was over, we packed up the speakers, and beat feet over to Tower Records in Berkeley to snag a couple of copies of Agents of Fortune!
Good times!
I was on a boat fishing on a lake with my uncle when I first heard don't fear the reaper. My uncle had a CD player in the boat and had a mix CD of all 70's and 80's music. He only had one CD so it was on repeat. Everytime don't fear the reaper played we seemed to slay the fish. Everytime I hear this song I think of the fishing trip.
Man, I was just on Skyline this afternoon!
I had to get AoF back then because of DFtR and loved loved loved the whole album. Patti Smith on Revenge of Vera Gemini, E.T.I., Debbie Denise, all those songs, I still put it on and dig every note. Don't Fear the Reaper is just driven, so beautifully arranged and really crackles with layered guitar artistry, no wonder it's such a classic!
Awesome memory
The guitar lines throughout the song are so melodic and lyrical. Really a pleasure to hear them isolated. Great work, Rick.
I’m really glad Rick did this video. When me and some friends would ask each other the question “greatest rock song of all time?”
I started thinking myself, Don’t Fear the Reaper. I don’t think it gets brought up as much as I think it should, partially because it took on this second life/meaning after the cowbell sketch.
If god played guitar this the jam he’d be rockin to
Without the slightest doubt, the greatest rock song of all time is Blue Oyster Cult's..... HOT RAILS TO HELL !!
Hey Rick.. I think at that point in the 70s there were no "conventional" songs... It was an open blank canvas for bands. A fantastic time to be a young musician ... for the bands ... and even more so listening
Absolutely! No one "sounded" like anyone else. No one even tried to sound like anyone else. They may have favored certain styles of music, but you could easily tell every band, vocalist or 'sound' apart.
One of my favourite bands of all time! I'm so glad to see that people like Buck are still talking about their stuff in 2022 - that's not a given for rock fans
Total masterpiece. Every nuance of every part is just so well done.
Great stuff. Buck is one of the best, criminally underrated.
It amazes me how DFTR propels itself forward with so much energy. It's like a page-turning novel that just keeps rolling forward. Full props to the rhythm section!
Blue Öyster Cult are very underrated. I really love their music.
As a stupid kid, I got sent an 8 track from I think the Columbia record group. I sent it back because I didn't know who they were....so dumb..lol
They are amazing
Veteran of a Thousand Psychic Wars is the coolest song ever created and I will die on that hill
They’re incredibly musical, technical and heartfelt. They rock!
They went to #10 on Billboard, sold out stadiums, and are still being talked about 50 yrs later. How is that underrated?
I've got a picture of me hanging out with boc back in the early 80s, I was a DJ in Corpus Christi and we got to hang out with them backstage after the concert, they were super chill
Buck's feel when he plays that solo still whips ass.
74 years young!
What I love about this tune is it is relentless... That haunting riff is drilled into your soul... I'm seeing them for the 100th next month... Looking forward to it...
for me the solo in don't fear the reaper is one of the all time greats, so unusual, powerful and moving. most solos don't do that.
When Rick highlights an artist or band, sales will most likely go up. That's how they make money. If no one talks about them , people forget. Copyright Cowards are fools , plain and simple.
It's all a question of effort. It is much easier to blanket ban everyone than to pick out, every day, the one or two instances where the music/images are being used positively. They would need to hire someone /many people, maybe full-time, to check each flagged usage to weed out people like Rick and then judge if it was a genuine usage and not a parasite ripping off a living from others work. It would cost too much to do this for each copy writed piece and it is far too much effort .
@@I_Don_t_want_a_handle it's really not that difficult. The problem comes when the actual artist let's someone else do their thinking for them.
@@stevebird9510 You assume that the artists have the time, inclination and/or ability to think.
Many, perhaps most, have little control over their copy writes. They are often held large businesses who are driven by cost. Even the Beatles had no control over their music, IIRC Michael Jackson bought them.
It is far simpler and cheaper to carpet bomb than it is to use a guided missile ...
@@I_Don_t_want_a_handle Very True about today's musicians. Most have no idea what's going on behind the scenes. Badginger is an excellent example of a band that ended up broke because of poor management. The Beatles however took control over their music with the release of Rubber Soul and even created Apple Records. I guess the moral of the story is , if you want it done right , do it yourself or live with your poor choices.
Love how your "What Makes" videos have evolved to include the artists responsible for them. Doing something approaching feature journalism pieces at this point -- and I love it.
Great subject, Rick, and … how’s *that* for a “guest commentator” 😎 (Buck Dharma himself)? 😁
“DFTR” and its “bookend” “Burning for You” are two BÖC songs of which I never get tired! I frequently play Fire of Unknown Origin, especially, to this day, and it came out the year I graduated highschool 😎 - that’s a lot of “longevity” 🤣, to say nothing of the endurance of “DFTR” ❤️.
I mean, c’mon 😎 - “Vengeance (The Pact)” and the utterly-perfect “Veteran of the Psychic Wars”, both of which found their way into the movie Heavy Metal (“V / TP” was explicitly written for the “Tarna” segment).
Full disclosure: While I find it as hilarious as everyone else does, I was always puzzled that the writers happened to pick that song for a skit about “overweening cowbell”. The song I always think of as having “cowbell über alles” 😎 is “We’re an American Band”, Grand Funk Railroad 🙂!
Don't sleep on Astronomy, or Take Me Away
edit: oh and of course GODZILLA
@@kingman9k I don’t sleep on these, only dream … of what a hoot it must be to hear BÖC play “Godzilla” in Japan 😁! Obviously, that’s a song with a “Special Feeling” 😎 for them 😆! (apologies to Fred Rogers 🙂)
This is incredible! I am absolutely happy to go on record to say that Blue Oyster Cult are the most underrated rock band in history.
Criminally, criminally underated. They deserved so much success than this and Burning For You.
This is probably the only "overplayed" rock song that I don't mind hearing over and over (Paranoid, Africa, Jump etc.)
This band is pure magic.
Mike Damone would agree!
"Burning for You" has a similar feel to "DFTR". "Hot Rails to Hell" is my personal favorite BOC song. "Astronomy" is quite interesting - "Godzilla" and don't forget the all time classic "Are You Ready to Rock ?" ( we only live to be born again).
I've seen BOC live more than any other band. Their music is great.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
@@bradleybrown8399 Bradley Brown can't be bothered to cobble together an actual thought, so he presses the z key for a few seconds. Impressive.
Reaper gets all the attention but for me it was their first three albums that remain bullet proof. You can hear just about every type of music imaginable on those. Favorites of mine like Cities on Flame with Rock n Roll, Stairway to the Stars, Last Days of May, Teen Archer and Mistress Of The Salmon Salt.
Hell Yes! I'd have to add Baby Ice Dog to that list.
Cities on Flame! Going to listen to that next.
cities on flame with rocknroll's guitar solo combined with the bass line is one of the stankiest thing ive ever heard.
Dominance and Submission
Astronomy, Flaming Telepaths.
OH MY GOD BUCK DHARMA ! He's my favorite guitarist. The Extraterrestrial live of "Veteran of the psychic war" is my favorite music piece ever, from 2:30 on the solo is just... I've never heard anything like this. I always put it on when I have friends or dates coming over. They always note it on their phone and talk about it months later... I encourage everyone one of you guitar lovers to check "Veteran of the psychics war - Extraterrestrial live" and wait for 2:30. I promise it will change how you think about music.
When a band plays so powerfully and uniquely LIVE... it really becomes art.
that's one hell of a guitar solo! my favourite of his, is on madness to the method from club ninja
Extraterrestrial Live is one of the best live albums ever made by a rock band !
Buck really is one of the very best rock guitarists ever
Yup, it's almost like call and response w/ the echo, and another really haunting sounding part from one of the most melodic and tasteful players ever... I said it many times before you know "Don't Fear The Reaper" is my all time favorite rock and roll song, no question. Perfection, o' haunting rock n' roll Valentine. "Veteran" is in the movie "Heavy Metal" and I believe "Heavy Metal (Black and Silver" was ❤️ also written for the movie but they used "VOTPW" instead. It's of course another one of my favorites from the Masters along with "And Then Came The Last Days Of May". AND WHEN YOU FIGURE IN THE RESPECT THESE GUYS HANDLE COVERS WITH FROM THE ANIMALS, THE DOORS, AND THE MC5 WELL, GOT TO GIVE THEM KUDOS...
BÖC is one of my all time favorite bands. I've been a fan since the beginning of 80's when I got Fire of Unknown Origin and Agents of Fortune LPs from my uncle. You really didn't hear the band that much in Finnish radio back then, so kudos to my uncle :) Great video!
Those are two great albums to start with. :)
Speaking of Finnish, I like H.I.M.'s version of Reaper.
I always knew this song absolutely shredded but holy hell hearing it broken down into segments so clearly -- massive appreciation for a song I already loved!! Fantastic video, Rick!
The droning G note makes the tune. Primal. Satisfying.
You know, this is one of the few songs that too me still holds up. Many songs from my youth have lost their appeal but this one, still mesmerizes. It's the definition of a classic. And the lead break section is still amazing.
Rick forgot to say at the end: "Don't forget to ring the cow bell"
Blue Öyster Club got a really unique way of composing and plaing rock songs.
club? 😄
@@La_sagne Police academy
when you hear the isolated guitar playing the solos as you say it is a wonderful tone which modern production no longer gets. Watching Buck Dharma play that solo on a Steinberger was really awesome
I always loved Buck's solo on "Last Days of May" on "On your Feet.....". Understated brilliance.
For me, It's the masterful way that the musicians of BOC combine the expected with the unexpected in their songs while wrapping it all in a solid groove with a driving beat and authentic mood is what keeps me listening to them decade after decade. we've heard these songs a thousand times, but somehow it always seem fresh and familiar all at once.
I like the almost vaudeville kitsch they throw in there...
I used to play this in a band with an old friend who has since passed on. Makes you feel like a real rock star when you’re doing it in front of people.
So inspiring to see and hear a rock legend who's been around for so long and still plays like that...
Music keeps you young.
Buck is also funny as HELL and must not take himself too seriously as he parodies what many BOC fans must have thought of him when he joins Blotto on the song "Metal Head". I have always gotten a vibe from BOC they were rather making fun of the whole rock and roll scene (particularly the Heavy Metal scene) while still making some of the greatest rock and roll songs. Genius.
Going to see BOC this Saturday night, for my 5th time, since they were my first concert ever, in 1978.
They've never disappointed me!
Don seems like a real chill, quiet and humble guy. And a good sport too. I must admit, the cowbell is louder in my inner ear and mind than it is on the record.
I'm surprised that it wasn't mentioned that when Don't Fear The Reaper was played on radio stations using heavy compression the cowbell was brought way up in front of the mix due to the way compression works.
Also, I've spent many days and nights listening to Buck Dharma's amazing playing and I want to thank him for the tunes. He really made life better.
Also the song was shorter, usually excluding the bridge/guitar solo on AM radio.
Yes, hearing that song on Radio back then had the Cowbell more prominent. What a great video- what is amazing is how BOC was a perfect band in the middle of 70's Rock, Pop, Prog, really any genre of radio friendly music that would become heavy metal hard rock etc. The guitar playing in that band is top notch against any other band of the time (Boston, Rush, JPreist, Genesis, Yes, I could go on etc.) and what makes BOC so great is they made Pop radio friendly hard edge R&R and yet had so catchy melodies and riffs- no one else like them. Buck is so gracious playing for Ric on his Steinberger ( I have one too!) Total class act- wish I could have seen them live...
Always liked his lead on Dominance and Submission.
A masterclass in in elegant, melodic, yet adventurous guitar playing. Enhances the mood of the song in every way.
This is probably my favorite rock songs of all time. It's just perfect with its moody atmosphere. Buck Dharma is one of the most underrated guitarists out there. The scope of his work with BÖC is astounding.
He also has a great solo album, Flat Out.
Mine favorite too, if i am listen this i'm cry.
The first time I heard this was in the intro of 'The Stand' miniseries in a brilliantly fitting setting. I cannot hear it without thinking about that. Great song.
Same!
This breakdown had SOUL. What an incredible interview. Thank you so much for sharing this experience with us.
OMG……. LOVE THIS SONG SO MUCH!!! I was born in 1974, My Dad had the Blue Oyster Cult Vynal .
He has home videos of me bringing him the album 💿 asking him to play “ Don’t Fear the Reaper “. It’s my Favorite Song of All Time. I still listen to it everyday ❤ My Dad is a drummer, he taught me how to play the drums, when I was 7 years old he put me in guitar lessons 🎸 After learning the drums & guitar I loved the song even more. 60’s & 70’s rock is my favorite!!!
Mississippi Queen!! The all-time top cowbell tune as perfectly played by the late and great Leslie West and Mountain!! Jim C.
another monster on 🎸 ❤
Absolutely love this song. It also reminds me of the opening of the 1990's miniseries "The Stand", a very good memory of my youth. When you UA-camrs highlight, analyze, and cover these songs, it reignites my love for them. I don't get why companies block these videos. I get more interested in the songs and the bands when people like you do videos like this.
Yes! I was hoping they would mention "The Stand" in the video!
Don't forget the scene in "Halloween" where Reaper is playing on the car radio while you see Michael Myers in the background keying in on Jamie Lee Curtis.....both tongue in cheek and chilling at the same time...
@@defithian I loved that. Creepy as hell…
That's always what I think of when I hear this song!
@@defithian I had no idea about that. Very cool
I bought the CD re-issue when it came out several years ago, and as a bonus, it included Buck’s demo ( home recording ) of “ Reaper “. It was pretty cool! Great album!
I think there is this door in all of us that is programmed to react to certain musical keys or chord progressions; and "Don't Fear The Reaper" is one of those. There is just something about that riff that makes the hairs on my arms stand up. It's warm and inviting, but almost resigned to its fate. The story about Don's heart condition makes a lot of sense. And the guitar work on this song is seriously underrated.