BOC have always stood to the side of mainstream rock music so it's somehow appropriate that their sublime brand of songwriting, humour, class, musicianship, subject matter etc remains detached from some of the bland crap in that place ... it's their loss to ignore this level of talent, integrity & intelligence.
I just heard that Ritchie Blackmore said he doesn't regret not showing up for the HOF with Purple. He said he rejects the very notion that there is a board of people who get to sit around and decide this stuff. I totally agree. I would just as soon see the place disappear than to see BOC get in.
I knew that “Buck” was a genius the night I met him at college. I was unpacking the first night when he walked into my room out of nowhere and plugged his blue Fender into a pig-nose amp. We sang oldies all night! Next, we formed a frat band we called the Travesty. It was two years of fun until Buck and Al Bouchard, our drummer, took off for The Island, Buck’s stomping grounds, to form Soft White Underbelly. Those were the days, my friend!
@@foreign_affairs Hey FA - The Travesty was 1965-1967, long before tape recorders were invented. But, the short answer is unfortunately no. Somehow, it never occurred to us. The first recorded music of Buck & Co. was Soft White Underbelly on Electra Records. I played bass and organ, but, even though Buck asked me to join him and Al Bouchard when they left college for Long Island, I knew that both of them were a few levels above my musicianship. Buck and I did collaborate, however, years later on "Golden Age" and "Mirrors." Spent time with Al a few years ago, and I regularly keep in touch with Buck and his bride. I guess, that's the rest of the story!
What a treat to have Allen Lanier play the first solo on this live version. RIP Allen, you were an integral part of the best live rock n roll band ever!!!
Lanier started as a guitar player, I have spent the least 3 days watching live BOC shows...he played a lot of decent guitar, Butt when you have Buck Dharma....
@@Tulsaghost1 The only reason he was the keyboardist was because no one else in the band really knew how to play the keyboard. Allen could've been a lead guitarist in any other band easily.
I know Aerosmith got voted best band in America last 50 years but that my friend is wrong Blue Öyster Cult is the best American band in the last 50 years.
This song is based on a true story. I did the research. Three boys went to Phoenix to buy pot. It was a ripoff. Two of the boys were killed one survived and managed to escape. He testified and the two rip-off’s went to prison. The three boys were from the school that Buck was attending. They're okay the last days of May, but I'll be breathin' dry air I'm leaving soon, the others are already there (all there) You wouldn't be interested in coming along, instead of staying here? It's said the West is nice this time of year, that's what they say This lyric was one of the three inviting buck to come along. It’s an awesome song and one of my favorites as well. This band has always been a favorite of mine! I love how Buck plays and Alan
He was in the same position as Dickey Betts who would have gotten more accolades if Duane Allman hadn't been the dude in the seat next to him. It's hard to shine as a guitarist with Buck's next level shredding as the automatic comparison
I was at the Long Beach Arena the night this song was played and immortalized forever on the On Your Feet, Or On Your Knees double live album. Buck Dharma is a legend.
Great recording. Saw them twice in England, first in Manchester Free Trade Hall, not that impressed. Second at the Hammersmith Odeon 1988 on the ` Imagios ` tour, very impressed. Buck was outstanding.
That is an awesome comment. Coming from someone who had to have this song explained to them and is not passionately in love with it. I was to young . I love TH-cam. It makes me old.
@@rogernichols2833 Hi Roger: I had the pleasure of attending the Roeser' 50th anniversary party in my home town where they lived for about 7 years. I met his wife about the time I met Buck, as she attended college when we did, but at another university. I wish I could share pics of the Roesers and their two adult children taken that day.
I saw BOC multiple times between 1975 and 1980, they were always the headliner, and they always played this song, usually about mid-set, most underrated American band ever, and Buck Dharma, when he would walk center-stage, crack his knuckles and smile, time to earn that paycheck…still touring today as he and Eric inch closer to 80…how can this band not be in the RNR Hall of Fame??🎸🎸🎸
What a great shining moment for Allen Lanier (RIP)....he could have played lead for dozens of other bands, but chose to be part of one of the best, but underrated groups through the '70s and '80s. A true overlooked star at both guitar and keyboards. BOC rocked.
From 5:50 - 10:00 i've lost count of the musical ideas that Buck shoved into his solo. A true masterclass. And thirty nine people atm don't have a clue.
What's also great about him is that, at every live show, Buck plays these songs like it's the first time. There's always something new and different...
Allen Lanier was an amazing guitarist, songwriter, and keyboardist. I owe so much of my own learning to that man. I love his musical emotion in everything he did.
I first saw them in ‘78 with lasers! I was at the stage at bucks feet! He dropped his BOC plectrum so that became mine. Catch them when I can, next one Leicester 2021 and its virtually sold out so plenty of U.K. fans. Guess the deep Purple/ BOC gigs are selling well too. Last time I saw deep Purple Lynyrd Skynyrd blew them off stage, well they would, wouldn’t they? 😃
Absolute best version of this tune, Alan Lanier's guitar fits perfectly. Sometimes Richie Castellano plays too fast when slower is better like he's trying to out do Buck Dharma. Alan lets Buck handle the faster playing like here, which is what Buck does, which makes this version perfect. Together they built the best guitar solo's ever for this song.
The only person who've I never met who's passing dropped me to my knees was Allen, I sobbed like a baby. I'm shedding tears just thinking about it now (the badassery of the music doesn't help). This from a 57 y/o man who's lost his parents and only child. I've met the rest of the band, some many times, just not Allen, but it was so sad.
@@Damaged262 Wow, that's really something! I got to meet Allen Lanier when I was a teen in Hamburg, Germany after a BÖC/Kansas show. He was very cool and wearing a Sun Records t-shirt. I was truly sad when he passed too. Definitely a great mix of talent and intelligence. He also inspired my keyboard playing.
Wouldn't say BOC was greatest USA band (The Allman Brothers Band gets my vote for that), but they are certainly cream of the crop for sure. Remember getting their 1st album in early 1972 coz I liked the cover and store was blasting out "Cities On Flame" track. I always thought their sound was heavy metal. I remember seeing them play in a small bar near Chicago in '87 or '88. Will never forget how great they sounded even tho the place was packed to the rafters with people. Tribute to them that they are still touring.
When I watch a "Long Days Night," I feel that the great Allen Lanier was saying goodbye to us, to an extent, as you see in his leads shared with Buck on 'Last Days of May' where he shows us his brilliance and emotive genius during a time when he wasn't well -- this is evidence of his legendary gifts. The BÖC are from a time when giants roamed the stages and arenas of the world -- and they are among the last still playing their legendary rock and roll. Do yourself a favor and see this greatest of bands along with the Bouchard brothers in Blue Coupe, and relive the magic again!
Jason, i totally agree. Albert is so brilliant on the guitar here and such an important part of this band. I miss him so much. The Blue Oyster Cult IS the greatest band to walk this planet. The current lineup is great too, I saw them twice in 2017, once in Kansas City and then at Big Bear, CA., Richey is carrying Allens torch and they continue to play the last days of may in the style they did with Allen in Chicago for the long days night album. but they just aren't what they were with the bouchard Bros. The brain Surgeons the X-Bros.and now Blue Coupe keep us going. I'm still not over not having an album every year like it was back in the day.
Jason Meinhart you’re so right, Allen was great. Since I’ve been seeing oyster since 73 I enjoyed his prowess on guitar and keyboards he helped make the band famous! It was so cool to see him back with the band in the 90s.
I saw this troop in there heyday so many times(buck in his white jump suit and shiny black hair) many times with the new toy(green lazer) but the end of the 70s was the best .in their peak .loud proud and never boring. Last days way aways a show stopper as its lead guitar sole length was denpendant on the crowd. One show the song clocked in a almost 22 min. But they sounded the best outside or in mid size venues. Rock on BOC. You never get old to me RIP Lanier .you will be missed.
Do you remember when they'd play City's on Flame with Rock and Roll all five guys up front all playing lead Buck in white linen total wall of sound . Jesus that was in 74 I was 17 still remember today awesome memory to have.
@@thomasmccracken8819 I’m younger (born in 75) but always was a huge fan...they were one of my first shows (my dad and uncle took me to see the Black and Blue tour when I was a lil tyke and I was hooked!)...one of my fave memories was seeing them as a teen at Light Up Orlando headlining with Great White and Bloodline...the members of GW and Bloodline periodically came out to jam some tunes with BOC throughout the night! Awesome! And when I got to hang out with em at the old Tsunami Beach Club in Sanford in the like 97...I still have my signed Agents album on my band room wall!!
I once saw them without Eric. He was sick. They improvised a bunch of stuff and it was amazing. In that same show, Buck broke a high E string during reaper and still blew my mind. What a guitar player.
STILL a better band than most, and they've been playing longer than most. And to top it off, Buck is one of the most humble guys you'll probably meet. They deserve greater recognition and respect.
I think if any of you/us were in this world this song describes in the 60s & 70s it's chilling and emotional if you remember how your heart sunk in your stomach during such entrepreneurial trips. Yeah. Good to see times have changed.
@@positivitysuccessvideos many close calls God knows I shouldn't be here...Lucky was better than good once apon a time... Rocking to these boy from day one...👍🤞👊
My roommate had to tell me what this song was really about and I cried. I know, I am a dork, but it's so gorgeous. Perfect. Amazing. I am glad he told me. I had heard and loved it but didn't understand it. Now I do and I can't stop loving it.
@@tracysnow349 Sad but beautiful, painful yet wonderful, like so much in life. At nearly 50 I dare no longer say that I understand, but I still love it!
Had not seen this! It brings me back to days off in hotels when Allen was just picking up guitar. He would roam from room to room, never putting it down and riffing away constantly. What a wonderful upload!
I'm glad there's a live version of this posted with Alan playing. No disrespect to Ritchie, but the Alan/Buck version of this would always give me chills live.
What I like very much about BOC is the live versions are always different from the studio versions, adding a lot of solo's and stuff, whereas many groups are just trying their best to do the best possible imitation of their studio songs. Fantastic!
(Tucson, Arizona story...) muldrakeon February 27, 2011 Link 6 Replies Log in to reply You've all missed the central point of awesomeness of this song. It's pretty subtle. Who the fuck is the only person who could be singing this song? This song is sung from the POV of the guy who murdered the passengers. The driver is singing this song. He killed them all, took their money, and is now moving on to other things, and inviting you to be his next victim. I bet BOC is pretty disappointed how few people got this song. muldrakeon February 27, 2011 Link 6 RepliesLog in to reply Yup - you got it taverneron June 01, 2011 "The driver is singing this song." Absolutely! Makes perfect sense. It must be the driver. That's why he sings: The driver said, "The border's just over the bluff" Who else could it be but the driver? Yep, BOC is pretty disappointed. oldrockerdudeon June 13, 2011 The driver is not telling the story. The 5th line says 'Three good buddies of mine...' Also, the driver was not the killer, 'And the other guy turned and spilled, Three boys blood...' Must be has Buck said (cuz he wrote it?). One of the 3 buddies survived. WeirdHairSalon July 30, 2011
I was rocking BOC in the 70s 80s 90s hell all the way to present. Take a listen to their new releases from the upcoming release in Oct 2020. BOC never left. They just keep getting better. Lifelong fan MA 262
Just got the 50th Anniversary CD &DVD set for Tyranny and Mutation! It's excellent, great to see Albert back and rockin with them, Buck Dharma f'n great! Love the video montage extra .Another gem for my BOC collection.
The day that agent of fortune album came out I went straight to the px at camp Lejeune and purchased it. It seems like yesterday, I am 65 years old now and will always be a BOC fan.
Great song, Legendary band one of my favorites. Seen them at the Oakland Coliseum, Day on the green 1977. Cheap Trick ,ACDC, Journey, Blue Oyster Cult & Ted Nugent with Ronnie Montrose, Neal Shoan & Uncle Ted jam. One of my favorite shows Rock N Roll Lo.
I saw them at the Capitol Theater in NJ in 1978 and scored third row, center stage. I saw them again in 1979 and I brought an 8 x 10 of a pic we had taken the previous year. My GF and I went to their tour bus and waited to get autographs. Eric was the first to come to the bus. We asked him for an autograph and he said "I'm not Eric, I'm his brother." then boarded the bus. Buck was great, talked with us for a few minutes and signed the picture as did the Bouchard brothers and Alan was the last to arrive. He bummed a cigarette from me and was by far the friendliest of them. He signed my GFs bandanna, shirt, program and, of course our pictures. I still have that picture hanging in my man cave and it's still missing Eric's signature.
I saw them 5 years in a row late 70s to 80s this was always a highlight of the show with their intertwining leads. Also me262 all 5 guys would be playing guitar. During Career of evil Eric would play the cymbals bouncing the drumsticks off the floor and off the cymbals. they were truly the Amazing Blue Oyster Cult.
Dharma was/is the front man with talent, Bloom poses a lot and sings, but Allen Lanier was some of the real talent in BOC. His keyboard and guitar contributions were essential and totally totally underrated. He did ALL the serious keyboard stuff and much great 2nd guitar eg this, The Red and The Black, Before The Kiss, Harvester of Eyes and much more. Just awesome.
You need to see Eric in his pomp up to 1981 in particular ... he did a lot more than pose & sing .. check out Stairway to the Stars live in Paris in 1975 ... he played "stun guitar" ... & it kicked.
This song was one you had to stumble across by buying the album back in the day. You might have heard it in AOR stations bit mainstream never played it. It was a hidden gem though. Had Cities on Flame not been on the same record I might not have found it.
Rock and Roll Hall of fame.? YES, Their true genius was heard on the hundreds of late-night FM stations in the 70s,80s,90s Incredible lyrics, stories, amazing melodies as well as very talented musicians. Even MTV gave BOC a lot of love.
I had the great pleasure of seeing them in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was awesome.Listening to them now brings back such great memories. Long live Blue Oyster Cult!!
We saw them at Lebanon Valley Speedway with Black Sabbath unreal concert, seen them again in Pittsfield,Ma. In the old England Brothers Department Store. As close to them you could get without being in their laps! Phenomenal show. Saw them with my youngest son and his buddies again in Pittsfield at the Colonial theater, they rocked, kids were highly impressed. Awesome musicianship!
One summer afternoon a friend and I were down Asbury park hanging around on the boardwalk. It was when they were just breaking out. Anyway a guy approached us and asked us if we wanted to see a show at convention hall, he offered us tickets for 1 dollar for each. I remember him saying you will never get to see them for this price ever again. We went it was BOC . Great show! I remember Buck all decked in his white suit, pretty sure he was playing an SG, it was a long time ago. Talk about being in the right place at the right time. And I agree that they should be in the rock n roll hall of fame. I have seen some groups get in that I feel don't belong there ahead of them. Maybe you were at the show too?
My God, this song is a rock stable, yet, missed on the classic stations soooo much. Is nuts. One of my all time favorite bands. Right up there with ANYONE. Thank you for the tunes of a life time! 🙂
I'm in Australia, got lucky and saw them 98 in London, I got the date wrong, very lucky the bloke at the hostel foyer had heard of them and gave me the "not tomorrow mate, they're on tonight". Tshirt from that night is faded and threadbare, remains in rotation. Awesome, remain my favourite band.
First saw this band as a student at the Colston Hall in Bristol. I knew they were good so I bought extra tickets and persuaded my mates to go with me. They absolutely smashed it with the music and laser show and gained many new fans. This is my favourite version of Last Days Of May. Lanier's solo is so brilliantly understated and intricate. As mentioned in a previous comment, this was recorded in Chicago, Illinois, on 21 June 2002 and released as a live album 'A Long Day's Night' on DVD and CD. This track is only on the DVD which contains 7 more tracks than the CD.
Blessed to have seen that at the Channel in Boston. I'll never forget it. I was with my Best friend who was also murdered on the last day of May a few years latter. RIP Bob B and Allen L
BOC fan from the mid-'70s! First time seeing them was in Pittsburgh in '81! I try to catch them in Chicagoland when I can. Practicing pool one afternoon, I threw $5 in the jukebox and played a bunch of their songs. No "Reaper" or "Godzilla"! I told the crowd, "These are BOC songs for real BOC fans!!" Me-262, Harvester, Cities, Subhuman, OD'd on Life, Career, Dizbusters, Red & Black, Beat 'em Up, See You in Black, etc.... It helped my game!
It was a battle of Armageddon. Buck against the drummer. Then the great enforcer Allen Lanier stood there defending his Guitar hero’s with outstanding resonance. In the end good did not defeat evil. Nor did evil out duel good. They both came to understand they were equally pitted. They also learned their existence was dependent on the others existence. Both needed the other, like day verses night. The lesson for us is, where there is good, evil lurks nearby. Occasionally, the two will challenge one another, and we will be blessed with their progeny. This performance is a work of art. Day has its beauty, just as night has its’. When the two clash at sunrise and sunset, that’s when the true beauty is exposed. We were all blessed with the spoils of this epic battle. Long live Rock n Roll! May BOC be on tour forever!
Wow. Just wow. The "On Your Feet" live album was the first album I ever owned that I bought with my own money, and I bought it solely on the strength of BOC's crazy band name and the album cover graphics. This was in like '76 or something, and I'd never heard anything from them. After listening to the album, I thought most of the songs were ok, but they weren't really my deal. I was a Zeppelin kid then and no one else could ever measure up. However, I loooved Last Days Of May. Loved it. That was always one of my go-to's when me and my friends would try to stump each other later on about songs and musicians. Long story short: I never really followed BOC even after my teen years, so I had no idea they became as good as they are in this video. The guitar work by all concerned here has just left me speechless. It's one of the cleanest, tightest, most skillful performances I've ever witnessed. Just perfect.
All tracks were otherworldly but for me 7 Screaming Diz-Busters is the Holy Grail. Buck’s shredding guitar is off the charts. And this was in 1974 or 1975. NOBODY was playing like that back then.
![[Then Came The] Last of May (Live 1974)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/96A72cojiWg/mqdefault.jpg)
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the fact that they're not in the Hall of Fame is just sickening
They are too good for that place.
Say what..B.Ö.C. Hall of Fame? Surely you have to ment The Rock´n roll Hall of Fame.
absolutely unbelievable
BOC have always stood to the side of mainstream rock music so it's somehow appropriate that their sublime brand of songwriting, humour, class, musicianship, subject matter etc remains detached from some of the bland crap in that place ... it's their loss to ignore this level of talent, integrity & intelligence.
I just heard that Ritchie Blackmore said he doesn't regret not showing up for the HOF with Purple. He said he rejects the very notion that there is a board of people who get to sit around and decide this stuff. I totally agree. I would just as soon see the place disappear than to see BOC get in.
I knew that “Buck” was a genius the night I met him at college. I was unpacking the first night when he walked into my room out of nowhere and plugged his blue Fender into a pig-nose amp. We sang oldies all night! Next, we formed a frat band we called the Travesty. It was two years of fun until Buck and Al Bouchard, our drummer, took off for The Island, Buck’s stomping grounds, to form Soft White Underbelly. Those were the days, my friend!
Wow, great story! I've always wondered about the early days. Are there any recordings of The Travesty?
@@foreign_affairs Hey FA - The Travesty was 1965-1967, long before tape recorders were invented. But, the short answer is unfortunately no. Somehow, it never occurred to us. The first recorded music of Buck & Co. was Soft White Underbelly on Electra Records. I played bass and organ, but, even though Buck asked me to join him and Al Bouchard when they left college for Long Island, I knew that both of them were a few levels above my musicianship. Buck and I did collaborate, however, years later on "Golden Age" and "Mirrors." Spent time with Al a few years ago, and I regularly keep in touch with Buck and his bride. I guess, that's the rest of the story!
Wow that’s excellent I at a dedicated fan since 1984 ! Got the record “cultasaurus erectus” Ya can’t tell me anything about BOC !!
@@eunicewillar7843 I bet I could tell you an inside thing or two about the early days, Eunice, but, we'll save that for Happy Hour!
I love Al Bouchard
What a treat to have Allen Lanier play the first solo on this live version. RIP Allen, you were an integral part of the best live rock n roll band ever!!!
It was a damn good solo, too!
Lanier started as a guitar player, I have spent the least 3 days watching live BOC shows...he played a lot of decent guitar, Butt when you have Buck Dharma....
@@Tulsaghost1 The only reason he was the keyboardist was because no one else in the band really knew how to play the keyboard. Allen could've been a lead guitarist in any other band easily.
I agree. A mesmerizing solo by allan.
I’ve LOVED B.O.C. since I 1st saw them in 1974 in Columbus Ga! I STILL listen to them EVERY time I’m in my car! 💥👏🏼😎💥
Buck Dharma, what a boss guitar! Licks for eternity...
Has there ever been a more underrated band?
Nope.
@@RoeserFan1 facts
Not even close.
more cowbell!! Love these guys!
yes, except for THE WHO, LED ZEP, Stones and The Beatles - EVERY ROCK BAND IS UNDERRATED
I know Aerosmith got voted best band in America last 50 years but that my friend is wrong Blue Öyster Cult is the best American band in the last 50 years.
I couldn't agree more.
Aerosmith - lol!
BÖC is neste American band ever! Boston Is second.
There's no such thing as the best ever 😡
what & who voted?
This is one of my all-time favorite Blue oyster cult songs.
This song is based on a true story. I did the research. Three boys went to Phoenix to buy pot. It was a ripoff. Two of the boys were killed one survived and managed to escape. He testified and the two rip-off’s went to prison. The three boys were from the school that Buck was attending.
They're okay the last days of May, but I'll be breathin' dry air
I'm leaving soon, the others are already there (all there)
You wouldn't be interested in coming along, instead of staying here?
It's said the West is nice this time of year, that's what they say
This lyric was one of the three inviting buck to come along.
It’s an awesome song and one of my favorites as well. This band has always been a favorite of mine!
I love how Buck plays and Alan
@@richardbelton3813 ....Wow.
Mine as well.still regret not seeing BOC live.one of the few I couldn’t make back in the day.
@@brettallison5753
I got to see the fire of unknown origin tour plus they played for 3 hours because the opening act was a no-show.
Fact: Most people don't realize Lanier could have been the lead guitarist in most any band. Such a talented multi instrumentalist. Gone way to soon.
What is the point of this post? So what if he could be lead in another band?
@@jeff10461 and what is the point to your being an asshole?
Buck dharma is the lead guitarist
He was in the same position as Dickey Betts who would have gotten more accolades if Duane Allman hadn't been the dude in the seat next to him. It's hard to shine as a guitarist with Buck's next level shredding as the automatic comparison
@@djmikio no shit... I love Lanier! But buck dharma!!!
I was at the Long Beach Arena the night this song was played and immortalized forever on the On Your Feet, Or On Your Knees double live album. Buck Dharma is a legend.
I cosider this song a true classical composition.
Loved that concert , good old days , general admission
hey, Dan do you recall, did Buck play an SG that night? Or the Les Paul? (I know it was YEARS ago....).....
LOL, I saw them twice back in the 70's at the LB Arena, do you know what the date was, I got my tickets stubs somewhere...
Great recording. Saw them twice in England, first in Manchester Free Trade Hall, not that impressed. Second at the Hammersmith Odeon 1988 on the ` Imagios ` tour, very impressed. Buck was outstanding.
This is why I spent much of my jr high school days drawing BOC's logo on my notebook cover.
That is an awesome comment. Coming from someone who had to have this song explained to them and is not passionately in love with it. I was to young . I love TH-cam. It makes me old.
I still draw it in the dirt on my car!
Best comment.
Ditto!
Ditto, and it is front and center on the nose of my car!
Buck Dharma is the Segovia of rock. He is simply magical.
I've met him and his wife on several occasions... least rated band in history... EVER
@@rogernichols2833 Hi Roger: I had the pleasure of attending the Roeser' 50th anniversary party in my home town where they lived for about 7 years. I met his wife about the time I met Buck, as she attended college when we did, but at another university. I wish I could share pics of the Roesers and their two adult children taken that day.
Maybe Allen's solo is better than bucks here.
not a lot of people know about Andre
I saw BOC multiple times between 1975 and 1980, they were always the headliner, and they always played this song, usually about mid-set, most underrated American band ever, and Buck Dharma, when he would walk center-stage, crack his knuckles and smile, time to earn that paycheck…still touring today as he and Eric inch closer to 80…how can this band not be in the RNR Hall of Fame??🎸🎸🎸
The most underrated guitar player ever. Seen them 6 times
Buck's solo is simply an epic face melting masterpiece. But Laniers' twangy tele toned solo is a great contrasting warmup to the main event.
And the interplay between them from 2:10 to 2:50 is utterly sublime. Masterful work.
What a great shining moment for Allen Lanier (RIP)....he could have played lead for dozens of other bands, but chose to be part of one of the best, but underrated groups through the '70s and '80s. A true overlooked star at both guitar and keyboards. BOC rocked.
Plus he was an excellent singer.
And still rocks!
From 5:50 - 10:00 i've lost count of the musical ideas that Buck shoved into his solo. A true masterclass. And thirty nine people atm don't have a clue.
Those casual sweep lines at 8:12...
:O
Lol
Thirty Nine people will have their eyes harvested.
What's also great about him is that, at every live show, Buck plays these songs like it's the first time. There's always something new and different...
Allen Lanier was an amazing guitarist, songwriter, and keyboardist. I owe so much of my own learning to that man. I love his musical emotion in everything he did.
The sound and emotion that Allen Lanier got where from his very essence it was beautiful little dark melancholy pentatonic gorgeous!
Plus he was an excellent singer.
God, I love this band. I wish more of my fellow Brits had taken them to heart.
If there had been any audible sound system at Donnington Park in 1981 then 60,000 more Brits would have done that day ....
I did
I saw them in Newcastle (UK) in or around 1974, just blew me away 😀
I first saw them in ‘78 with lasers! I was at the stage at bucks feet! He dropped his BOC plectrum so that became mine. Catch them when I can, next one Leicester 2021 and its virtually sold out so plenty of U.K. fans. Guess the deep Purple/ BOC gigs are selling well too. Last time I saw deep Purple Lynyrd Skynyrd blew them off stage, well they would, wouldn’t they? 😃
Fellow Brit here. Loved BOC since the late 70s and On Your Feet or On Your Knees is one of the greatest live albums ever.
RIP Allen. Your extended solo here is so great it makes me cry.
I love the way this one just sneaks up on you...it starts so nice and slow and before you know it those guitars are melting your face off.
Absolute best version of this tune, Alan Lanier's guitar fits perfectly. Sometimes Richie Castellano plays too fast when slower is better like he's trying to out do Buck Dharma. Alan lets Buck handle the faster playing like here, which is what Buck does, which makes this version perfect. Together they built the best guitar solo's ever for this song.
@DJ WestWeed agree
That Tele in the hands of master is unreal
The solos are always surprisingly great.
Richie is flat out amazing. Buck is amazing at 74 years young. Just saw them two nights ago. Good show.
Richie is from a different school, not better or worse, just different.
R I P Alan Lanier. A great Loss to The rockers of the world ! But B O C still carries on.
Happy Birthday in heaven, Allen.
I hear you brother!😭🥴
I'll 100th that 👍
Allen Lanier!!! R.I.P. ...B.O.C.s not the same without you!
This is from the DVD "Long Days Night" and its loaded with great tunes.
The only person who've I never met who's passing dropped me to my knees was Allen, I sobbed like a baby. I'm shedding tears just thinking about it now (the badassery of the music doesn't help). This from a 57 y/o man who's lost his parents and only child. I've met the rest of the band, some many times, just not Allen, but it was so sad.
@@Damaged262 Wow, that's really something! I got to meet Allen Lanier when I was a teen in Hamburg, Germany after a BÖC/Kansas show. He was very cool and wearing a Sun Records t-shirt. I was truly sad when he passed too. Definitely a great mix of talent and intelligence. He also inspired my keyboard playing.
@@tomw.6511 Good for you, they had some serious talent, still do, but they were hitting on all cylinders back then.
Seems like a modest man, not common in this field. Class act.
The man was so good.
Alan Lanier totally underestimated guitar player!
And his keyboards is stellar!
Allen Lanier has been missed since his passing in 2013. RIP.
Yea, until you saw them live!
He played a lot more guitar than most realize.
By far the greatest USA band.
Only The Doors come close as a songwriting US rock band ... imo ...
By FAR.
@@stevenwilkinson1265 eagles. beach boys. james brown. van halen.....IMO
but certainly BOC are way up in the top 1.
@@jamesha175 Agree re the Beach Boys (or Brian in particular) but wouldn't call them a rock band in the same way as BOC or The Doors ...
Wouldn't say BOC was greatest USA band (The Allman Brothers Band gets my vote for that), but they are certainly cream of the crop for sure. Remember getting their 1st album in early 1972 coz I liked the cover and store was blasting out "Cities On Flame" track. I always thought their sound was heavy metal.
I remember seeing them play in a small bar near Chicago in '87 or '88. Will never forget how great they sounded even tho the place was packed to the rafters with people. Tribute to them that they are still touring.
When I watch a "Long Days Night," I feel that the great Allen Lanier was saying goodbye to us, to an extent, as you see in his leads shared with Buck on 'Last Days of May' where he shows us his brilliance and emotive genius during a time when he wasn't well -- this is evidence of his legendary gifts. The BÖC are from a time when giants roamed the stages and arenas of the world -- and they are among the last still playing their legendary rock and roll. Do yourself a favor and see this greatest of bands along with the Bouchard brothers in Blue Coupe, and relive the magic again!
Jason, i totally agree. Albert is so brilliant on the guitar here and such an important part of this band. I miss him so much. The Blue Oyster Cult IS the greatest band to walk this planet. The current lineup is great too, I saw them twice in 2017, once in Kansas City and then at Big Bear, CA., Richey is carrying Allens torch and they continue to play the last days of may in the style they did with Allen in Chicago for the long days night album. but they just aren't what they were with the bouchard Bros.
The brain Surgeons the X-Bros.and now Blue Coupe keep us going. I'm still not over not having an album every year like it was back in the day.
Jason Meinhart you’re so right, Allen was great. Since I’ve been seeing oyster since 73 I enjoyed his prowess on guitar and keyboards he helped make the band famous! It was so cool to see him back with the band in the 90s.
R. I.P Allen.
He's an underrated OG to the band!!! On my feet!
I saw this troop in there heyday so many times(buck in his white jump suit and shiny black hair) many times with the new toy(green lazer) but the end of the 70s was the best .in their peak .loud proud and never boring. Last days way aways a show stopper as its lead guitar sole length was denpendant on the crowd. One show the song clocked in a almost 22 min.
But they sounded the best outside or in mid size venues. Rock on BOC. You never get old to me
RIP Lanier .you will be missed.
Thank You for describing memories about this band and song!
Audiogeeks Vintage Sales seen them many times myself, always a treat
Do you remember when they'd play City's on Flame with Rock and Roll all five guys up front all playing lead Buck in white linen total wall of sound . Jesus that was in 74 I was 17 still remember today awesome memory to have.
@@thomasmccracken8819 I’m younger (born in 75) but always was a huge fan...they were one of my first shows (my dad and uncle took me to see the Black and Blue tour when I was a lil tyke and I was hooked!)...one of my fave memories was seeing them as a teen at Light Up Orlando headlining with Great White and Bloodline...the members of GW and Bloodline periodically came out to jam some tunes with BOC throughout the night! Awesome! And when I got to hang out with em at the old Tsunami Beach Club in Sanford in the like 97...I still have my signed Agents album on my band room wall!!
These guys were always on the road. Hardest working band in the business.....
I once saw them without Eric. He was sick. They improvised a bunch of stuff and it was amazing. In that same show, Buck broke a high E string during reaper and still blew my mind. What a guitar player.
Richie Castellano is a fabulous guitar player too
Was that at the Ridgefield playhouse ? - I was at that show too.
If this were a painting it would be a Rembrandt.
Puta que pariu! Eu AMO Rembrandt! Fiquei uma horas na frente de um no Hermitage...
Carvaggio!
@@esoteric5277 Caravaggio
@@battleangel375 I stand corrected😳
@@esoteric5277 Sorry, i want not know more as you, i'm Italian and i'm sure is Caravaggio, go to Wikipedia it's easy, Ciao
STILL a better band than most, and they've been playing longer than most. And to top it off, Buck is one of the most humble guys you'll probably meet. They deserve greater recognition and respect.
I've heard this song probably a million times now...each time it gives me goosebumps...wtf these guys doing 😮
I agree me too
right there with you brother.
I think if any of you/us were in this world this song describes in the 60s & 70s it's chilling and emotional if you remember how your heart sunk in your stomach during such entrepreneurial trips. Yeah. Good to see times have changed.
@@positivitysuccessvideos many close calls God knows I shouldn't be here...Lucky was better than good once apon a time...
Rocking to these boy from day one...👍🤞👊
the all time best BOC song
My roommate had to tell me what this song was really about and I cried. I know, I am a dork, but it's so gorgeous. Perfect. Amazing. I am glad he told me. I had heard and loved it but didn't understand it. Now I do and I can't stop loving it.
@@tracysnow349 Sad but beautiful, painful yet wonderful, like so much in life. At nearly 50 I dare no longer say that I understand, but I still love it!
Can someone explain what the song is about? Is it about a drug deal gone wrong? Or am I missing something.
@@SR-nf3mp no, you not missing it...you got it....
Gosh damn that was some superb rock and roll guitar playing. Can’t believe I just saw this. Have to just say WOW!!!
Had not seen this! It brings me back to days off in hotels when Allen was just picking up guitar. He would roam
from room to room, never putting it down and riffing away constantly. What a wonderful upload!
I'm glad there's a live version of this posted with Alan playing. No disrespect to Ritchie, but the Alan/Buck version of this would always give me chills live.
What I like very much about BOC is the live versions are always different from the studio versions, adding a lot of solo's and stuff, whereas many groups are just trying their best to do the best possible imitation of their studio songs. Fantastic!
One of the greatest Songs ever written and performed, i can't stop listen this song
First heard The Cult in the late seventies. They changed my life forever. Nothing ever came close.
This is beyond superb.
Thank you Blue Oyster Cult , TH-cam, and this uploader for the state of awe!
The five people who down voted this should have been in the back of the rented Ford. The guitar work on this is worth the price of admission
By now the price has gone up to seven lost souls😏
Love this song and album. I lived in Yuma Az. on the Mexico Boarder when this came out. We played this song to death.
(Tucson, Arizona story...)
muldrakeon February 27, 2011 Link 6 Replies Log in to reply
You've all missed the central point of awesomeness of this song. It's pretty subtle. Who the fuck is the only person who could be singing this song? This song is sung from the POV of the guy who murdered the passengers. The driver is singing this song. He killed them all, took their money, and is now moving on to other things, and inviting you to be his next victim.
I bet BOC is pretty disappointed how few people got this song.
muldrakeon February 27, 2011 Link
6 RepliesLog in to reply
Yup - you got it
taverneron June 01, 2011
"The driver is singing this song."
Absolutely! Makes perfect sense. It must be the driver. That's why he sings:
The driver said, "The border's just over the bluff"
Who else could it be but the driver? Yep, BOC is pretty disappointed.
oldrockerdudeon June 13, 2011
The driver is not telling the story. The 5th line says 'Three good buddies of mine...' Also, the driver was not the killer, 'And the other guy turned and spilled, Three boys blood...'
Must be has Buck said (cuz he wrote it?). One of the 3 buddies survived.
WeirdHairSalon July 30, 2011
So true they should be in the rock and roll hall of fame
I was rocking BOC in the 70s 80s 90s hell all the way to present. Take a listen to their new releases from the upcoming release in Oct 2020. BOC never left. They just keep getting better. Lifelong fan MA 262
Just got the 50th Anniversary CD &DVD set for Tyranny and Mutation! It's excellent, great to see Albert back and rockin with them, Buck Dharma f'n great! Love the video montage extra .Another gem for my BOC collection.
Any one of these guys can say more with one bent guitar note than most bands do on an entire album...
I can listen to this again and again... Alan Lanier is forever in my mind!
This is outrageously good!
Just love listening to them in 2024
They are so much fun, started seeing them in LA, Germany and soon in Alaska (this is the 7th time)
The day that agent of fortune album came out I went straight to the px at camp Lejeune and purchased it. It seems like yesterday, I am 65 years old now and will always be a BOC fan.
Just to leave a comment ... it is totally crazy outstanding beautiful f***ing good and I listen it again and again
Love to see Allen out there jamming on guitar! This version is just outstanding..
Great song, Legendary band one of my favorites. Seen them at the Oakland Coliseum, Day on the green 1977. Cheap Trick ,ACDC, Journey, Blue Oyster Cult & Ted Nugent with Ronnie Montrose, Neal Shoan & Uncle Ted jam. One of my favorite shows Rock N Roll Lo.
I saw them at the Capitol Theater in NJ in 1978 and scored third row, center stage. I saw them again in 1979 and I brought an 8 x 10 of a pic we had taken the previous year. My GF and I went to their tour bus and waited to get autographs. Eric was the first to come to the bus. We asked him for an autograph and he said "I'm not Eric, I'm his brother." then boarded the bus. Buck was great, talked with us for a few minutes and signed the picture as did the Bouchard brothers and Alan was the last to arrive. He bummed a cigarette from me and was by far the friendliest of them. He signed my GFs bandanna, shirt, program and, of course our pictures. I still have that picture hanging in my man cave and it's still missing Eric's signature.
I saw them 5 years in a row late 70s to 80s this was always a highlight of the show with their intertwining leads. Also me262 all 5 guys would be playing guitar. During Career of evil Eric would play the cymbals bouncing the drumsticks off the floor and off the cymbals. they were truly the Amazing Blue Oyster Cult.
this is beautiful. this is truly a legendary; epic performance. mind blowing brain melting all time greatest list
First time I saw them was during the Black and Blue tour at MSG. Have seen them about 20 times since then, but you never forget your first!
Dharma was/is the front man with talent, Bloom poses a lot and sings, but Allen Lanier was some of the real talent in BOC. His keyboard and guitar contributions were essential and totally totally underrated. He did ALL the serious keyboard stuff and much great 2nd guitar eg this, The Red and The Black, Before The Kiss, Harvester of Eyes and much more. Just awesome.
You need to see Eric in his pomp up to 1981 in particular ... he did a lot more than pose & sing .. check out Stairway to the Stars live in Paris in 1975 ... he played "stun guitar" ... & it kicked.
Leave Eric the fuck alone
This song was one you had to stumble across by buying the album back in the day. You might have heard it in AOR stations bit mainstream never played it. It was a hidden gem though. Had Cities on Flame not been on the same record I might not have found it.
Eric Bloom is quite a talented vocalist. He fit the rougher side of the band perfectly and had a great bluesy voice to contrast Buck's smooth tenor.
The Bouchard Brothers are instrumental...get it....instrumental?!
9000 views-no wonder the rock and roll hall of fame is a tribute to pr artists and not the real musicians
Screw the HOF. We know who's good.
@@wju425 Janet fucking Jackson and Madonna... enough said 😣
FUCKING RIGHT. Of course, they have put in genuine musicians, but that BOC is worthy of a march on New Jersey. And I am freaking serious about that!
68,000 views now in JAN 2020.
Rock & Roll Hall of Shame
I've seen a lot of overrated bands receive a recognition which should go to BOC. I think them the most injusticed band of rock and roll.
Other bands in that regard are Supertramp, Thin Lizzy, and Kansas.
My Love Song for 40 Years
Wow. As good as I have ever heard/seen and I've seen many of the greats.
Rock and Roll Hall of fame.? YES, Their true genius was heard on the hundreds of late-night FM stations in the 70s,80s,90s Incredible lyrics, stories, amazing melodies as well as very talented musicians. Even MTV gave BOC a lot of love.
One of the greatest stories in rock n roll history and it comes with face melting guitar solos...BOC On Tour Forever!
This song alone should put these guys into the hall of fame.
Should, but...
@@Sjaand1 Buck says they will never be considered for the HoF because Richard Meltzer has a number of enemies in there ..
@@stevenwilkinson1265what did richard do to get enemies at the rock and roll hall of fame what 😭😭
@@katietaylor-ej2id As Buck said "He knows where the bodies are buried in that place ..."
buck is a genius
Wow! It's not often that I'm moved to tears by a guitar solo...
Saw them 3 times back in the 70's....!
The Blue oyster cult is just awesome
Un de mes groupes préférés et une chanson culte, surtout sur l'album live "On your feet or on your knees. Que du bonheur et de bons souvenirs.
Mais oui, Lauren. Tu as de bons goûts!
Having seen this live many times, my favorite part is/ was watching Buck play rhythm while he enjoys Alan exploring through his solo. Such commradary.
I had the great pleasure of seeing them in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was awesome.Listening to them now brings back such great memories. Long live Blue Oyster Cult!!
Fantastic song. And this verision is really awesome. Two magnificent solos for the price of one. Can't beat that!
❤My thoughts exactly!
We saw them at Lebanon Valley Speedway with Black Sabbath unreal concert, seen them again in Pittsfield,Ma. In the old England Brothers Department Store. As close to them you could get without being in their laps! Phenomenal show. Saw them with my youngest son and his buddies again in Pittsfield at the Colonial theater, they rocked, kids were highly impressed. Awesome musicianship!
Lainer's solo it so cool 😎. Such an underrated guitar player
Allen Lanier also a good guitar player!!!
Rest in peace!!
C était la musique de notre mariage en.... 1982, à l eglise, c était d’une émotion qui n a l’as vieillie ! Merci BOC
One summer afternoon a friend and I were down Asbury park hanging around on the boardwalk. It was when they were just breaking out. Anyway a guy approached us and asked us if we wanted to see a show at convention hall, he offered us tickets for 1 dollar for each. I remember him saying you will never get to see them for this price ever again. We went it was BOC . Great show! I remember Buck all decked in his white suit, pretty sure he was playing an SG, it was a long time ago. Talk about being in the right place at the right time. And I agree that they should be in the rock n roll hall of fame. I have seen some groups get in that I feel don't belong there ahead of them. Maybe you were at the show too?
Thank You for nice story! Really very professional band, which must be in the Hall of Fame of Rock'n'Roll
@@Sjaand1 rock hall is a joke! Janet Jackson and Madonna ?at this point its more prestigious to NOT be in it.
My God, this song is a rock stable, yet, missed on the classic stations soooo much. Is nuts. One of my all time favorite bands. Right up there with ANYONE. Thank you for the tunes of a life time! 🙂
One of the most underrated bands of all time .
They were ahead of their time
So much awesome music 🎸🎸🎸🎸
Just wow! Musicians these days do not create art even remotely comparable to masterpieces of 70s 89s even 90s like this one anymore
RIP Allen you are sorely missed..
I'm in Australia, got lucky and saw them 98 in London, I got the date wrong, very lucky the bloke at the hostel foyer had heard of them and gave me the "not tomorrow mate, they're on tonight". Tshirt from that night is faded and threadbare, remains in rotation. Awesome, remain my favourite band.
Amazing! Brilliant guitar work from all of them.
First saw this band as a student at the Colston Hall in Bristol. I knew they were good so I bought extra tickets and persuaded my mates to go with me. They absolutely smashed it with the music and laser show and gained many new fans. This is my favourite version of Last Days Of May. Lanier's solo is so brilliantly understated and intricate.
As mentioned in a previous comment, this was recorded in Chicago, Illinois, on 21 June 2002 and released as a live album 'A Long Day's Night' on DVD and CD. This track is only on the DVD which contains 7 more tracks than the CD.
Blessed to have seen that at the Channel in Boston. I'll never forget it. I was with my Best friend who was also murdered on the last day of May a few years latter.
RIP Bob B and Allen L
BOC fan from the mid-'70s! First time seeing them was in Pittsburgh in '81!
I try to catch them in Chicagoland when I can.
Practicing pool one afternoon, I threw $5 in the jukebox and played a bunch of their songs. No "Reaper" or "Godzilla"! I told the crowd, "These are BOC songs for real BOC fans!!" Me-262, Harvester, Cities, Subhuman, OD'd on Life, Career, Dizbusters, Red & Black, Beat 'em Up, See You in Black, etc....
It helped my game!
It was a battle of Armageddon. Buck against the drummer. Then the great enforcer Allen Lanier stood there defending his Guitar hero’s with outstanding resonance. In the end good did not defeat evil. Nor did evil out duel good. They both came to understand they were equally pitted. They also learned their existence was dependent on the others existence. Both needed the other, like day verses night. The lesson for us is, where there is good, evil lurks nearby. Occasionally, the two will challenge one another, and we will be blessed with their progeny. This performance is a work of art. Day has its beauty, just as night has its’. When the two clash at sunrise and sunset, that’s when the true beauty is exposed. We were all blessed with the spoils of this epic battle. Long live Rock n Roll! May BOC be on tour forever!
Wow!!! Two super great guitarist!! Amazing
Allan Lanier was a great musician. Great guitar player when he stepped out from the keyboard. RIP sir.
My freind Brad and and I daw them in Fresno one night, performing in the non- signed version *soft white underbelly". What an awesome show.
Wow. Just wow.
The "On Your Feet" live album was the first album I ever owned that I bought with my own money, and I bought it solely on the strength of BOC's crazy band name and the album cover graphics. This was in like '76 or something, and I'd never heard anything from them. After listening to the album, I thought most of the songs were ok, but they weren't really my deal. I was a Zeppelin kid then and no one else could ever measure up. However, I loooved Last Days Of May. Loved it. That was always one of my go-to's when me and my friends would try to stump each other later on about songs and musicians. Long story short: I never really followed BOC even after my teen years, so I had no idea they became as good as they are in this video. The guitar work by all concerned here has just left me speechless. It's one of the cleanest, tightest, most skillful performances I've ever witnessed. Just perfect.
My favorite album of that band.
@@Sjaand1 yep
@@Sjaand1 👍👏🙏😇✌😍
Loved this song, but Subhuman was the real kicker on that album. What a way to get a show started.
All tracks were otherworldly but for me 7 Screaming Diz-Busters is the Holy Grail. Buck’s shredding guitar is off the charts. And this was in 1974 or 1975. NOBODY was playing like that back then.
This video & jam is FANTASTIC! 🔥B.O.C. -¿-🔥. 💥👏🏼😎💥❤️🔥💫
I've had people scoff when I spoke highly of my love for boc.... to all of them I say " put THIS in your pipe and smoke it"
That shit is good when it hits your lungs.
Probably the most underrated rock band of all time.....I said it...
The good stuff is best I grew up here Blue Oyster Cult ❤
Amazing guitar work, go BOC, long live rock & Roll.
Saw them in “79 and in “19; let the good times roll.
That was awesome. Allen is missed. They were absolutely shredding those solos.
Buck without his long hair and beard/stache looks like a hybrid of Pete Townsend and Phil Collins
75 or 76, this was my theme song, 24/7... watch your back.. pistol under pillow :)