On Friday, August 19, the Stony Brook Alumni Association hosted alumni and friends for a pre-concert meet and greet and awards recognition ceremony with members of Blue Öyster Cult prior to the legendary rock band’s evening concert at the Suffolk Theater in Riverhead.
While the world knows Blue Öyster Cult for FM radio staples “(Don’t) Fear The Reaper,” “Godzilla,” and “Burnin’ For You,” the Stony Brook University community knows them as the final musical evolution of SBU house bands Soft White Underbelly and Stalk-Forrest Group, which were popular on campus in the late 60s and early 70s.
During that time, Stony Brook students and alumni Sandy Pearlman ’66, Richard Meltzer ’66, Howie Klein ’69, John Wiesenthal ’70, Bill Gawlik and others were instrumental in supporting the musical journey of the band that, since 1972, music fans know as Long Island Music Hall of Fame inductee Blue Öyster Cult.
Founding Blue Öyster Cult members Eric Bloom and Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser attended the alumni gathering, where the Alumni Office and The Media Arts Academy/ Undergraduate College of Arts, Culture and Humanities presented them with Stony Brook University “Musical Ambassador” recognition plaques. Founding, past and present members of Blue Öyster Cult were also recognized by Suffolk County in the presentation of a proclamation congratulating the band on a nearly 50 year association with the campus.
During the gathering, the late Sandy Pearlman ’66 was remembered and honored by the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, as he was to receive Long Island Sound Award recognition in April. Plans call for a gathering of alumni and friends to celebrate Sandy’s life during the upcoming fall semester.
After the meet and greet and awards presentation, alumni proceeded to their seats to enjoy an awesome performance by the band that wears the Stony Brook University banner proudly: Blue Öyster Cult.
— Normal Prusslin ’73
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