Eric Bloom
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Eric Bloom | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Eric Jay Bloom |
Born | Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. | December 1, 1944
Genres | Hard rock, heavy metal, psychedelic rock |
Occupation(s) | Musician, singer, songwriter |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, keyboards |
Years active | 1959–present |
Labels | Columbia, CMC |
Website | ericbloom |
Eric Jay Bloom (born December 1, 1944) is an American musician, singer and songwriter. He is best known as the co-lead vocalist, guitar and keyboard/synthesizer player for the long-running band Blue Öyster Cult, with work on more than 20 albums. Much of his lyrical content relates to his lifelong interest in science fiction.
Early life and education
A native New Yorker, Bloom was born in
It was there that he purchased his first guitar, a $52 Harmony full-bodied electric.Bloom, known as "Manny" Bloom in college, attended
Career
Soft White Underbelly: 1968–1971
Blue Öyster Cult: 1972–present
In April 1969, when lead singer Braunstein dropped out of the group, Bloom became the band's vocalist. The band went through several name changes, but in 1971 settled on Blue Öyster Cult. Their first album was released by Columbia Records in 1972.
In 1976, their platinum album
Bloom bought his own house in Great Neck in 1976.[3]
Bloom has been one of the longtime members of the band throughout the decades, along with original member Buck Dharma. Bloom is credited as playing "stun guitar" on some Blue Öyster Cult works, a term the band uses for the distortion sound of his rhythm guitar.[7][8]
Outside work
Bloom is known for being an avid reader, especially science fiction and fantasy novels. He once sent a fan letter to English science-fiction author
Bloom also collaborated with author Eric Van Lustbader on the song "Shadow Warrior", and in 1998, 2001 and 2020 with cyberpunk author John Shirley on the Heaven Forbid, Curse of the Hidden Mirror and The Symbol Remains albums.
In 2006, Bloom began a partnership with artist Philippe Renaudin, to create and sell six elaborately painted custom-made guitars, each one of which interprets a different Blue Öyster Cult song, and each of which was played during BÖC performances.[9]
References
- ^ "Blue Öyster Cult Explains the Umlaut". April 17, 2013.
- ^ http://www.cheshireacademy.org/uploaded/admissions/56876_lo_res.pdf Archived February 21, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b Knopper, Steve (October 26, 2012). "Blue Oyster Cult's 40th anniversary CD". Newsday. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
- ^ "Creem Magazine Reader Polls (1973–77, 79–80)" (PDF).
- ^ "500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. December 11, 2003.
- Louder Sound. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
- ^ Moseley, Willie G. (August 1998). "Buck Dharma, Regarding the Reaper and Other Recollections". Vintage Guitar. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
- ^ "Art Guitars: Series 1". Ericbloomguitars.com. Retrieved September 27, 2010.
External links
- Official website
- Eric Bloom Guitars – Bloom's 2006 series of custom guitars
- 1996 interview
- Classic Rock Visited – Bloom interview