lanier

Allen Lanier (Blue Oyster Cult), RIP

Allen Lanier at Best Buy Theater last year (more by Jim Conaboy)
Allen Lanier

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.

The above quote was posted to Blue Oyster Cult lead singer/guitarist Eric Bloom’s Facebook page. Though Lanier retired from the band in 2006, he still made an appearance as late as last fall during the band’s 40th anniversary celebration. Allen Lanier was partially responsible for the unique sound of the band, writing material across their output and even contributing music to Patti Smith, The Dictators and The Clash and others. He is survived by his wife Dory, mother Martha and sister Mary Anne.

RIP Allen Lanier. Your riffs and music will live on forever.