Before he played for thousands of fans at the Great New York State Fair this week, Blue Oyster Cult lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and keyboardist Eric Bloom toured the Hobart and William Smith campus in Geneva. Bloom is a 1967 graduate of Hobart.
Best known for their songs “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” “Godzilla” and “Burnin’ for You,” Blue Oyster Cult has released 14 albums since 1972. Bloom who got his start playing in the Hobart and William Smith band Lost and Found with John Trivers ’69, Peter Haviland ’69 and George Faust ’69 is one of only two members of the Blue Oyster Cult’s lineup from the early 70s.
As a student at HWS, Bloom majored in modern languages and participated in the men’s billiard guild, the Colleges’ radio station WEOS, marching band and Tau Kappa Epsilon. He recalls playing gigs as a student “any place that would take us, fraternity parties, local bars like the Holiday Grille in downtown Geneva, even a teen dance at a firehouse.”
This week Bloom toured the Gearan Center for the Preforming Arts, met with a group of students and faculty, and sat down for an interview with Ted Baker. Listen to Ted’s interview with Eric here.
Greg Cotterill gives Eric Bloom information on his old friends Wilmer Alexander Jr. and the Dukes.
