Casting Call 26 9.26.07: Blue Oyster Cult and Bruce Dickinson
Posted by Jason Chamberlain on 09.26.2007
Jason Chamberlain took a look at his column and figured out what it needed. More cowbell! So the new issue of Casting Call is chock full of it!
Hello readers, and welcome to another new issue of Casting Call. I hope you enjoyed my six column jaunt through the world of the Matrix. If you didn't.... are you still reading? Is anyone there? Hello???
Well I wish I could give you a break today guys. I wish I could stay away from the serious stuff and give you something silly, something happy, something to lighten the mood. But alas, today is not that day. Today I've got some truly epic characters to examine, a group of heroes that face the darkest of journeys and the steepest of odds.
That's right. Today I will share with you the story of a band called the Blue Oyster Cult, and their producer Bruce Dickinson as they seek to cut a killer track. It's a quest for one thing, and one thing only.
More cowbell!
Maybe you don't know this, dear readers, and if you don't let me tell you that all of life's problems can be solved by simply adding more cowbell. There's nothing that a little cowbell can't cure, and no reason to use a little when you can use a lot! Yes, this is the lesson that the wise producer Bruce teaches his young charges as they cut their hit single, Don't Fear The Reaper. But they didn't always believe...
When the band enters the studio in 1976 to record their track, they are astounded that a big time producer like Bruce Dickinson digs their sound. But hey, as Bruce reminds them right off the bat, he puts his pants on one leg at a time just like anybody else. Of course, after he puts his pants on he makes gold records.
There's no doubt we're dealing with a group of skilled musicians, top of their class. When they start rocking out the opening strains of Don't Fear The Reaper, you can't help but get chills. And when that musical genius Gene starts in with his cowbell.... it's just transcendent. Bruce is feeling it too, but the band's singer is plagued by doubt. Though that cowbell is clearly rocking the house, he ain't feeling it, and calls Bruce back into the studio, ruining the take. Bruce, of course, doesn't get it, and tells Gene to add in even more of that cowbell. "Really explore the space," he tells him. Sage advice.
So we're on to take two, and Gene is really knocking it out to the cheap seats. He's a cowbell tapping vertigo as he spins around the studio while his band mates do their thing. But once again, the singer ain't feeling it. He stops the take and calls Bruce in, telling him the cowbell is distracting.
We all face doubt sometimes, don't we? Clearly this singer is suffering from a heavy case of doubt. He's in the studio, ready to knock out a record that will turn his band into superstars, and he's fearing the cowbell! Even Bruce Dickinson, legendary producer, has trouble calming his fears about the cowbell. "I'm telling ya fellas, you're gonna want that cowbell on the track!" Of course by this point Gene has gotten a little annoyed (and who could blame him) and when they fire up the next take, he's RIGHT in the singer's face with that cowbell. Yes the good friends become rivals as they compete to get more out of their instruments. Finally Gene has had enough besmirching of his cowbell and grabs the microphone away. Bruce is back into the studio in a flash to break up the skirmish.
Conflict has arisen! Even the best of friends find themselves in conflict from time to time. Look at Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Of course, they were only fighting over the Force, Natalie Portman, and the fate of the galaxy... hardly as important as cowbell. But I digress.
The conflict almost tears the band apart before they ever hit it big. Suddenly it seems like everyone is turning on Gene for his cowbell tapping ways. Everyone, that is, except Bruce. "The cock of the walk, baby!". And HE says they need more cowbell. "I gotta have more cowbell!" he implores them. But he's still not getting through, so he drops the bomb.
"Look guys," he confides in them. "I've got a fever." That's right, Bruce is under the weather. He may not make it through the day. But wait! There's hope.
"And the only prescription," he finishes, "is more cowbell!"
Gene may just save Bruce's life when he stands his ground on the cowbell issue. Who knows how severe that fever was? Gene points out they don't have many songs that feature the cowbell. And he's gotta perform the hell out of it! But he isn't selfish, so he offers to leave and come back to record the cowbell alone a little later.
But these guys are friends, and the singer remembers that before it's too late. He insists that Gene stay and lay down that cowbell with the rest of the band, and as they get ready to make a hit, Bruce imparts one last bit of wisdom.
"Babies, before we're done here, you'll all be wearing gold plated diapers!"
What's that mean, they ask?
"Never question Bruce Dickinson!"
And the rest is music history...
Trust me, readers, there is no problem that can't be solved by adding more cowbell. But don't take my word for it. Ask Bruce.
And if you ever think you've got enough... there's no such thing! I gotta have more cowbell baby!
