Blue Öyster Cult’s Eric Bloom said the band’s hit song “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” won’t be played at his funeral because he prefers no music played at what would be a very private ceremony.

“You’d think it would be ‘(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,’ wouldn’t you? But I don’t intend to have music at all. Just close family and a private graveside service,” the singer, songwriter and musician said in response to a question about what would be heard during his funeral.

In a recent interview with Classic Rock, Bloom said “Baba O’Riley” is his favorite anthem. “Even after all these years, those chords get me every time,” he said about The Who’s 1971 classic song.

Bloom also said John Lennon was his favorite singer, even though he “wasn’t the purest of vocalists.” He rates both Lennon and Smokey Robinson as the songwriters he likes most.

Bloom said that although he is very fond of Blue Öyster Cult’s latest album The Symbol Remains, the best record he ever made would probably be Secret Treaties [1974], the band’s third studio album.

Surprisingly, Bloom named Prince as his guitar hero. “The guy was a fantastic guitar player but he wasn’t really known for that level of ability. People knew him more as a showman, also for his songwriting and performance, but Prince was an amazing guitar player. It’s a shame that those other attributes overshadowed his musicianship,” BOC’s co-lead vocalist said about the late multi-talented artist.

Source: RTT Music News