Podcast Summary: "Classic Replay with Buck Dharma from Blue Oyster Cult"

Podcast: takin' a walk
Host: Buzz Knight (iHeartPodcasts)
Guest: Buck Dharma (Blue Öyster Cult guitarist)
Release Date: August 17, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode of "takin' a walk", host Buzz Knight takes a stroll through the storied career of Buck Dharma, legendary guitarist and founding member of Blue Öyster Cult. The conversation traces Buck's early inspirations, landmark moments with the band, the genesis of iconic songs, touring stories, thoughts on music technology—including AI—and Buck's newest solo material. With both warmth and candor, Buck shares personal anecdotes and reflections on music, creativity, and legacy.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Buck Dharma’s Musical Journey and Philosophy

• On Planning and Career Trajectory
  • Buck reveals he never had a concrete plan for life outside of music. When Blue Öyster Cult kept getting renewed by the label, he simply kept going, adapting as opportunities arose.
  • Quote: "All I've done my whole life is just seeing doors open and walking through them. That's basically what it is." (03:01)
  • Considered becoming a recording engineer if music hadn’t worked out, appreciating the technical side of production. (03:56)

Blue Öyster Cult’s Early Days and the Clive Davis Audition

• The Columbia/Clive Davis Audition
  • Band auditioned for Clive Davis at the Columbia CBS building. Notably nerve-wracking; set up in a conference room with Clive, Harry Nilsson, and Bobby Colomby (of Blood, Sweat & Tears) as the only audience.
  • Quote: "I wouldn't say they were an enthusiastic audience... At one point, Harry Nilsson gets up and he walks out of the room and we're thinking he doesn't like it." (05:41)
  • Harry later cleared up he went out for a cigarette and told Clive to sign them. (06:44)
• Record Label Support
  • Buck credits Columbia's long-term artist development approach for giving BÖC a chance to build their audience over multiple albums, noting how that model has changed. (07:56)
• Label Autonomy
  • Clive Davis was not involved hands-on post-signing; the group “had real autonomy.” (08:46)

The Breakout of "Don't Fear the Reaper"

• Organic Growth at Radio
  • “Don't Fear the Reaper” became a hit after bubbling up on album-oriented rock (AOR) FM radio, not immediately as a single.
  • Quote: "It wasn't even a single, you know, became a single. But when that happened, the Columbia muscle was evident." (09:15)
  • Curiously, New York stations never added the track – so it never made the Billboard Top 10. (09:51)

Musical Upbringing and Influences

• Early Exposure
  • Grew up with a musical father—horn player doing weekend gigs.
  • First tried accordion, then drums, switching to guitar at age 15 and never looking back. (10:56)
• First Guitar and Inspirations
  • First guitar: Premier two-pickup jazz box, followed by a Hagstrom Strat copy. (11:57)
  • Early influences: surf guitar bands (Ventures, Beach Boys, Safaris), later psychedelic bands (Doors, Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane), classic blues-influenced English rockers (Clapton, Beck, Blackmore).
  • Quote: “There's too many great players to mention. You just feel bad for leaving anybody out, but they're all good.” (15:08)
• First Concert and Album
  • First concert (age 18): Young Rascals, Beau Brummels, and The Seeds. (13:08)
  • First album: The Ventures' "Walk Don’t Run." (14:02)

Inside the Studio: Classic Blue Öyster Cult Songs

"Don't Fear the Reaper"

• Recording Process
  • The band prepared detailed demos, leveraging new home four-track recorders.
  • The essential riff was recorded on producer Murray Krugman's Gibson ES-175, an unusual choice for Buck. (20:38)
  • Quote: “The demo that I brought in for the Reaper was pretty well arranged so that it was not too different than what the band recorded.” (20:38)

"Burnin' for You"

• Song Origins
  • Initially intended for Buck’s solo album; manager Sandy Pearlman convinced him it belonged on a BÖC album.
  • Produced by Martin Birch, whose touch Buck credits with elevating the recording. (22:30)

Blue Öyster Cult’s Lasting Impact

• Song Longevity
  • “Don’t Fear the Reaper” and “Burnin’ for You” remain cultural mainstays, something Buck finds deeply gratifying. (23:32)
• The "More Cowbell" Phenomenon
  • Buck discusses the enduring popularity of the “cowbell” SNL sketch, noting its continued humor and its feature in an upcoming special. (23:43–24:33)
  • Quote: "It's still funny, you know, and for that I'm grateful." (24:33)

Touring Memories

• Best Venues and Regions
  • Biggest success on the US West Coast from Seattle to San Diego; Midwest shows were strong as well. Surprisingly, New York never gave them a home-field advantage. (25:12)
• Favorite Touring Companions
  • Fondest memories with the band Nazareth, with whom they developed a close relationship. Observes the increased camaraderie among classic rock acts today. (26:09)

Reflections on Technology & AI in Music

• AI-Assisted Archival Work
  • Recent album “Ghost Stories” used AI technology (like Peter Jackson’s Beatles tools) to separate old stereo mixes for restoration.
  • AI is powerful for production, but Buck doubts current AI can match human creativity for songwriting—“everything sounds generic.”
  • Quote: “I know I asked Chat GPT…to write a Blue Oyster Cult lyric… It wouldn't have made the cut.” (27:16)
  • Sees AI as a tool rather than a replacement for genuine human artistry. (29:36)

New Solo Work: "The End of Every Song"

• Song Story
  • Commissioned for the project Spirits Burning, lyrics based on an Ernest Christopher Dowson poem (Dowson coined "Gone with the Wind" and "Days of Wine and Roses").
  • Video ties together themes of his career, innovation, and relevance to the feelings of 2024.
  • First true solo release since his early '80s record "Flat Out."
  • Website: theendofeverysong.com has credits and deeper info. (33:15, 34:45)
  • Quote: “There's a lot to it and I'm quite proud of it and glad to see it out. It's the first thing that I've done just on my own since the Flat out record, which is several decades ago now.” (33:15)

On Collaboration and Advice

• Reflection on Collaboration
  • Wishes he had geographically been closer to music cities for more collaborations, but remains open and grateful for opportunities. (33:47)
  • Reiterates his philosophical approach: follow open doors rather than over-plotting life.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Musical Philosophy:
  “All I've done my whole life is just seeing doors open and walking through them. That's basically what it is.” (03:01)
• On the Clive Davis Audition:
  “I wouldn't say they were an enthusiastic audience… At one point, Harry Nilsson gets up and he walks out of the room and we're thinking he doesn't like it.” (05:41)
• On “Don’t Fear the Reaper”’s Success:
  “When that happened, the Columbia muscle was evident. You know, they could get the albums into record stores and move them through retail.” (09:15)
• On Influences:
  “There's too many great players to mention. You just feel bad for leaving anybody out, but they're all good.” (15:08)
• About AI Creativity:
  “I know I asked Chat GPT…to write a Blue Oyster Cult lyric… It wouldn't have made the cut.” (27:16)
• Regarding the SNL "More Cowbell" Sketch:
  “It's still funny, you know, and for that I'm grateful.” (24:33)
• On Solo Song “The End of Every Song”:
  “There's a lot to it and I'm quite proud of it and glad to see it out.” (33:15)

Key Timestamps for Main Segments

• Early Career and Mindset – 03:01–03:56
• Clive Davis Audition Story – 05:29–07:51
• “Don’t Fear the Reaper” Breakout – 09:15–10:27
• Musical Upbringing & Early Influences – 10:56–16:15
• Studio Stories: “Don’t Fear the Reaper” & “Burnin’ for You” – 20:12–23:20
• Tour Memories – 25:00–26:50
• Reflections on AI and “Ghost Stories” Album – 27:16–29:40
• New Music: “The End of Every Song” – 30:19–33:19
• On Collaboration – 33:29–34:45

Final Impressions

This conversation with Buck Dharma blends nostalgia for classic rock’s halcyon days with thoughtful engagement in contemporary music-making and technology. Buck’s humility, humor, and grounded wisdom shine, enriched by candid stories from both the band’s triumphs and its challenges. Essential listening for Blue Öyster Cult fans and music history enthusiasts alike.