BOC: Various thoughts of the day

[John A Swartz]

>If I were Al I'd certainly be very tired of all
those questions. In fact, I'm amazed that he sticked with us so long
(although I don't know how long it's been - when did he join BOC-L ?)... In
any case, I suggest we try to calm down a little and give him a break. Maybe
we should even consider adding in the welcome message to new subscribers a
message stating that such matters shouldn't be discussed, or whatever.

At the risk of sounding like a boot-licker (like it's stopped me before),
Al may be tired of this, but he is very polite about the whole thing, both
here and in person.  At my first tBS show (November of '94 - at the Middle
East in Cambridge - a club famous not only for it's music, but also it's
belly-dancers), Al chatted after the gig with people at the show.  While
waiting to introduce myself for the first time in person (I had talked
with him via e-mail - both on BOC-L and privately - this was back when
I first started working on the FAQ, and I was looking for Albert's input
on several things), someone came up to him asking when he left BOC, and
why, and if he planned to get back together with them.  His responses to
this total stranger left a lasting impression on the kind of person
Albert is.  While I had heard through a few articles in magazines like
Kerrang in the 80's of the frosty relations between Al and BOC (with
regards to his "firing" and also the whole Imaginos affair), and had
originally (prior to him joining BOC-L) a much different impression of
the kind of person he was, it was obvious that Albert was not that person.
Mind you, at that particular point in time, Albert and I had not yet met
face-to-face (o.k., he probably saw me in the crowd during the show - no
doubt thinking, 'Who's that nut standing in the front?' ;-) , but I had
yet to introduce myself).    So, I guess at this point I'm not surprised
that Albert still puts up with some of this stuff - knowing how long he's
done so (oh, yeah - Albert's been on BOC-L almost 3 years now, I think),
and how diplomatic he's been in most cases in talking about "his old
band".

As far as a warning welcoming message, well, that's probably not appropriate.
There is mention of the FAQ, which I suspect might be helpful for some
people to get the idea that some topics could be sensitive.  But, of
course we are all curious (perhaps writing the FAQ was my excuse for
my own curiosity - like I could say, "Well, *I* don't want to know, but
of course other BOC fans will so I want to put something in the FAQ about
it" - boy, if that's the case, it would've just been easier to admit that
*I* wanted to know about these things! ;-) ), so I think sometimes the
questions are inevitable.  Note - Al has been on the last 2 BOC chat
sessions on AOL, and both times he was asked something in reference to
when he left BOC and why, and what he was doing these days.  (BTW, Al,
have any of the folks on the chat inquiring about tBS followed through
and ordered any of your CDs?  I know I sent the Cellsum address to one
or two individuals).  Then again, Albert has said in the past that you
don't go too far in the music business without having some thick skin
(mostly to deal with criticism), or something to that effect.  Finally,
I don't support the idea of telling people certain topics are "off-limits".

>This is weird though. He already did a solo album and I don't see what could
stop him from doing another. Many members from other bands have done it,
still do it and will continue doing so in the future, so why not Buck ?

Well, I know that Buck was dissappointed with sales of *Flat Out* - I
think he was hoping to establish his own music a bit at that time.  But
I think he realizes that he will always be known as "the guitarist for
Blue Oyster Cult" - not a bad label to have warn, mind you.  But, Buck
did hint last year of releasing some stuff outside of BOC, and my
suspicion is that it will happen sooner or later.  I would be willing to
bet that if BOC folded before the release of the new album (and no, I'm
not trying to imply this - I've heard no rumors to that effect!), then
Buck would release his tunes on his own (remember, at least half the
stuff on the new album is written by Buck).  But, his first priority
right now musically is BOC.

>Yes. But not likely to happen, I fear. I think the chances of having all
BOC-L subscribers in the same venue at the same time are just as thin as
having the two bands play a gig together.

Thinner than that.  But, just like wishing for *Imaginos* to be re-released
in the as-intendend, complete (needing at least a double CD) version
that never happened, one can always dream... that's not saying I expect
it to happen.  Just a fantassy distillation of reality, I guess...

John