Editing Blue Öyster Cult (section)

==Legacy and influence==
Blue Öyster Cult have been influential to the realm of hard rock and heavy metal, leading them to being referred to as "the thinking man's heavy metal band" due to their often cryptic lyrics, literate songwriting, and links to famous authors.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Blue Oyster Cult: Secrets Revealed!|last=Popoff|first=Martin|date=2004|publisher=Metal Blade Records|isbn=0975280708|location=Simi Valley, CA|page=181|oclc=263055280}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=The Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal|first=Daniel|last=Bukszpan|date=2003|publisher=Barnes & Noble Books|isbn=0760742189|location=New York|page=24|oclc=51804645}}</ref><ref name="allmusic_com" /> They have influenced many acts including [[Iron Maiden]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://thequietus.com/articles/10360-iron-maiden-steve-harris-interview|title=The Quietus {{!}} Features {{!}} A Quietus Interview {{!}} Iron Lion Scion: Steve Harris Interviewed|work=The Quietus|access-date=September 29, 2017}}</ref> [[Metallica]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.inquisitr.com/opinion/4317001/metallicas-lars-ulrich-favorite-albums-and-influences/|title=Metallica's Lars Ulrich Favorite Albums And Influences [Opinion]|date=June 23, 2017|work=The Inquisitr|access-date=September 29, 2017|language=en-US|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723071047/http://www.inquisitr.com/opinion/4317001/metallicas-lars-ulrich-favorite-albums-and-influences/|archive-date=July 23, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thrashermagazine.com/articles/music-interviews/metallica-interview/|title=Thrasher Magazine - Metallica Interview|website=Thrashermagazine.com|language=en|access-date=September 29, 2017}}</ref> [[Fates Warning]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://fateswarning.com/2013/11/20/an-interview-with-fates-warning-searching-for-a-different-light-11202013/|title=An Interview with Fates Warning: Searching For A Different Light (11/20/2013)|work=Fates Warning|access-date=September 29, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> [[Iced Earth]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wikimetal.com.br/site/interview-with-jon-schaffer-iced-earth/|title=Interview with Jon Schaffer (Iced Earth)|date=February 16, 2012|website=Wikimetal.com.br|access-date=September 29, 2017|language=pt-BR}}</ref> [[Cirith Ungol (band)|Cirith Ungol]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://clrvynt.com/cirith-ungol-interview/|title=Proto-Doom Heroes Cirith Ungol Take a Giant Step Out of Hell|first=Chris|last=Corry|website=CLRVYNT|date=November 3, 2016 }}</ref> [[Alice in Chains]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/alice-in-chains-mn0000007920/related|title=Alice in Chains|website=AllMusic|access-date=September 30, 2017}}</ref> [[Twisted Sister]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/twisted-sister-mn0000165663/related|title=Twisted Sister|website=AllMusic|access-date=September 30, 2017}}</ref> [[Ratt]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=23163|title=Exclusive Interview: Stephen Pearcy|website=Knac.com|access-date=September 29, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://musicexistence.com/blog/2017/01/13/interview-stephen-pearcy-on-new-album-smash-and-ratt-reunion/|title=Interview: Stephen Pearcy on new album 'Smash' and Ratt reunion – Music Existence|website=musicexistence.com|date=January 13, 2017|language=en-US|access-date=September 29, 2017}}</ref> [[Steel Panther]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/Interview_Steel_Panthers_Satchel?page=2|title=Interview: Steel Panther's Satchel|website=Premierguitar.com|date=May 6, 2009|access-date=September 29, 2017|language=en}}</ref> [[Green River (band)|Green River]] (and later [[Mudhoney]]),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/rehab-doll-mw0000854412|title=Rehab Doll - Green River {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=March 13, 2018}}</ref> [[Body Count (band)|Body Count]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaquarian.com/2014/07/30/an-interview-with-ice-t-from-body-count-cold-metal/|title=An Interview with Ice-T from Body Count: Cold Metal|website=The Aquarian|language=en-US|access-date=September 29, 2017}}</ref> [[Possessed (band)|Possessed]],<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mBlbAwAAQBAJ&q=possessed|title=Metallica: Justice for All|last=McIver|first=Joel|date=June 16, 2014|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=9781783231232|language=en|edition=New Revised}}</ref> [[Candlemass (band)|Candlemass]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hrrecords.de/high_roller/sites/release_detail.php?relno=155|title=Candlemass - Don't Fear The Reaper 12|website=Hrrecords.de|access-date=September 29, 2017|archive-date=October 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014002956/http://www.hrrecords.de/high_roller/sites/release_detail.php?relno=155|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Saint Vitus (band)|Saint Vitus]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roomthirteen.com/features/1105/Saint_Vitus_Interview.html|title=- Saint Vitus Interview - RoomThirteen - Online Rock Metal Alternative Music Magazine - Reviews Interviews News Tours|website=Roomthirteen.com|language=en|access-date=September 29, 2017|archive-date=April 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413072649/http://www.roomthirteen.com/features/1105/Saint_Vitus_Interview.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Trouble (band)|Trouble]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prog-nose.org/metal-nose/engels/interviews/wet_animal.htm|title=Wet Animal|date=August 3, 2016|access-date=September 29, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803031458/http://www.prog-nose.org/metal-nose/engels/interviews/wet_animal.htm|archive-date=August 3, 2016}}</ref> [[Opeth]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heavyhardes.de/interview-402.html|title=Opeth - Interview - Heavyhardes.de|last=Fall|first=Thorsten|website=Heavyhardes.de|access-date=September 29, 2017}}</ref> [[White Zombie (band)|White Zombie]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://film.list.co.uk/article/32670-shock-rocker-and-horror-film-director-rob-zombie-full-interview-transcript/|title=Shock rocker and horror film director Rob Zombie - full interview transcript|date=February 15, 2011|work=The List|access-date=September 29, 2017|language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Kvelertak]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://noisecreep.com/kvelertak-meir-interview/|title=Kvelertak Frontman on Their Upcoming Album, Norwegian Trolls + Dave Grohl|website=Noisecreep|date=February 11, 2013 |language=en-US|access-date=September 29, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://newnoisemagazine.com/kvelertak-on-signing-with-roadrunner-records-and-their-debut-album-by-brandon-ringo/#|title=Kvelertak on signing with Roadrunner Records and their debut album - By Brandon Ringo - New Noise Magazine|date=March 19, 2013|work=New Noise Magazine|access-date=September 29, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> [[HIM (Finnish band)|HIM]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oocities.org/himdiaboli/interview.htm|title=Our Diabolikal Rapture - Interviews|last=Éva|first=Darabos|website=Oocities.org|access-date=September 30, 2017}}</ref> [[Turbonegro]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/turbonegro-mn0000806740/related|title=Turbonegro {{!}} Influenced By {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=September 30, 2017}}</ref> [[Radio Birdman]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ilikeyouroldstuff.com/blog/hanging-on-an-interview-with-radio-birdmans-deniz-tek|title=Hanging On: An Interview With Radio Birdman's Deniz Tek|date=April 2, 2017|work=I Like Your old stuff|access-date=September 29, 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://magazine.100percentrock.com/interviews/201411/86122|title=Interview – Rob Younger, Radio Birdman – October 2014|date=November 6, 2014|website=Magazine.100percentrock.com|access-date=September 29, 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930041143/http://magazine.100percentrock.com/interviews/201411/86122|archive-date=September 30, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[The Cult]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/mar/24/primal-scream-cult-ultravox-bands-change-direction|title='People started punching the air': how Primal Scream, Ministry, the Cult and Misty Miller reinvented their sound|last=Simpson|first=Dave|date=March 24, 2016|work=The Guardian|access-date=September 29, 2017|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> [[Minutemen (band)|The Minutemen]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dementlieu.com/users/obik/arc/other/mmen_tn10.html|title=Dementlieu Punk Archive: Minutemen interview|website=Dementlieu.com|access-date=September 29, 2017}}</ref> [[Firehose (band)|Firehose]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/firehose-mn0000143749/related|title=fIREHOSE {{!}} Influenced By {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=September 30, 2017}}</ref> [[Hoodoo Gurus]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/reaping-their-rewards-20130411-2hnsz.html|title=Reaping their rewards|last=Dwyer|first=Michael|date=April 12, 2013|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=September 29, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> [[Widespread Panic]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jambands.com/features/2013/05/13/tossing-the-ball-with-dave-schools-ten-years-on|title=Tossing The Ball with Dave Schools (Ten Years On)|website=Jambands.com|date=May 13, 2013|access-date=September 29, 2017}}</ref> [[Queens of the Stone Age]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/queens-of-the-stone-age-mn0000376422/related|title=Queens of the Stone Age {{!}} Influenced By {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=September 30, 2017}}</ref> [[Umphrey's McGee]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bassmusicianmagazine.com/2011/01/progressive-rock-with-brad-houser-umphreys-mcgees-mantis-bassist-ryan-stasik/|title=Progressive Rock With Brad Houser: Umphrey's McGee Bassist Ryan Stasik|website=bassmusicianmagazine.com|date=January 10, 2011|language=en-US|access-date=September 29, 2017|archive-date=September 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930035857/http://bassmusicianmagazine.com/2011/01/progressive-rock-with-brad-houser-umphreys-mcgees-mantis-bassist-ryan-stasik/|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Stabbing Westward]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.concertlivewire.com/interviews/stabbing.htm|title=One on One - Stabbing Westward|website=Concertlivewire.com|access-date=September 29, 2017}}</ref> [[Royal Trux]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/06/03/a-wide-ranging-interview-with-neil-michael-hagerty-and-jennifer-herrema-of-royal-trux|title=A wide-ranging interview with Neil Michael Hagerty and Jennifer Herrema of Royal Trux|last=Dugan|first=John|work=Chicago Reader|access-date=September 29, 2017|language=en}}</ref> and [[Moe (band)|Moe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/moe-mn0000574143/related|title=moe. {{!}} Influenced By {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=September 30, 2017}}</ref>

The band's influence has extended beyond the musical sphere. The lyrics of "Astronomy" have been named by author Shawn St. Jean as inspirational to the later chapters of his fantasy novel ''Clotho's Loom'',<ref>[http://clothosloom.wordpress.com/2012/09/20/intertwining-high-culture-and-low-culture/ "Intertwining High and Low Culture"]. Clotho's Loom.  Retrieved May 3, 2013.</ref> wherein Sandy Pearlman's "Four Winds Bar" provides the setting for a portion of the action. Titles and lines from the band's songs provided structure and narrative for the third book in Robert Galbraith's (a pseudonym for [[J. K. Rowling]]), series of Cormoran Strike novels, ''[[Career of Evil]]''.<ref name="Strike">{{cite web|url=http://www.hypable.com/cormoran-strike-book-3-title/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150426112542/http://www.hypable.com/cormoran-strike-book-3-title/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 26, 2015|title=J.K. Rowling's third Cormoran Strike novel titled 'Career of Evil' arrives this fall|last1=Sims|first1=Andrew|date=April 24, 2015|website=Hypable|access-date=June 9, 2015}}</ref><ref name="GuardianBOD">Christobel Kent, [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/oct/21/career-of-evil-by-robert-galbraith-review Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith review – a daft but enjoyable hunt for a serial killer], ''[[The Guardian]]'', October 21, 2015.</ref>

Their hit single "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" was featured in the famous ''Saturday Night Live'' sketch "[[More Cowbell]]". The original recording was produced at The Record Plant in New York by David Lucas, who sang background vocals with Roeser, and introduced the now-famous cowbell part, which may have been played by himself,<ref name=hall>{{cite news|url=http://www.wivb.com/dpp/entertainment/music/Blue-Oyster-Cult-cowbell-ringer-honored |title=Blue Oyster Cult cowbell ringer honored |date=June 30, 2011 |access-date=August 2, 2012 |newspaper=[[WIVB-TV]] |last=George |first=Eli |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110702084549/http://www.wivb.com/dpp/entertainment/music/Blue-Oyster-Cult-cowbell-ringer-honored |archive-date=July 2, 2011 }}</ref> Albert Bouchard,<ref name="Washington Post">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46074-2005Jan28.html|title=Blue Öyster Cult, Playing Along With 'More Cowbell'|access-date=August 2, 2012|last=Farhi|first=Paul|date=January 29, 2005|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> or Eric Bloom.<ref name=stockton>{{cite news|title=Blue Oyster Cult's innovative use of a cowbell will never be forgotten|url=http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090917/A_ENTERTAIN/909170308/-1/rss03|date=September 17, 2009|last=Sauro|first=Tony|work=[[The Record (Stockton)]]|access-date=August 7, 2012|archive-date=August 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802183250/https://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090917/A_ENTERTAIN/909170308/-1/rss03|url-status=dead}}</ref>

"(Don't Fear) The Reaper" was also used in writer/director [[John Carpenter]]'s horror film classic, ''[[Halloween (1978 film)|Halloween]]'' (1978).<ref>{{Cite web|website=IMDb.com|title=Halloween (1978)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077651/soundtrack|access-date=March 13, 2018}}</ref> The opening sequence of the miniseries adaptation of ''[[The Stand (1994 miniseries)|The Stand]]'' (1994) by [[Stephen King]], and covered by [[The Mutton Birds]] for [[Peter Jackson]]'s horror-comedy film ''[[The Frighteners]]'' (1996).<ref>{{Cite web|website=IMDb.com|title=The Frighteners (1996)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116365/soundtrack|access-date=March 13, 2018}}</ref> "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" was also used throughout the comedy film ''[[The Stoned Age]]'' (1994) and plays a role in its storyline. In the film ''[[Gone Girl (film)|Gone Girl]]'' (2014), the song plays on the radio during a car driving scene with actor [[Ben Affleck]]. The song was also used as the opening theme and main story element in the 1996 FMV computer game ''[[Ripper (video game)|Ripper]]'', by Take Two Interactive, and was also featured in the 2006 game ''[[Prey (2006 video game)|Prey]]'' and the 2021 game ''[[Returnal (video game)|Returnal]]''. The lyrics for "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" are featured in the introduction of Stephen King's book ''The Stand''. The song was also used in [[Orange Is the New Black (season 2)|Orange Is the New Black's season 2]] finale.