Blue Oyster Cult / Over the Rainbow

Classic rock bands Blue Oyster Cult and Over the Rainbow will perform at DTE Energy Music Theatre on Wednesday, July 8 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets at $35.50 pavilion and $10 lawn are on sale now at Palacenet.com, The Palace and DTE Energy Music Theatre Box Offices and all Ticketmaster locations.

Tickets may also be charged by phone to American Express, Discover, Visa and MasterCard by calling 1-800-745-3000.

Blue Oyster Cult was formed at Stony Brook College on Long Island in 1967. The original group name was Soft White Underbelly, but in 1971 they changed their name to Blue Oyster Cult and released their self-titled debut album the following year.

It was not until the release of Agents of Fortune (1976) that the group’s reputation of intelligent hard rock solidified. Agents of Fortune contained “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” which was the band’s first single to appear on the Billboard charts when it reached number 12 on Billboard’s Pop Singles chart.

Blue Oyster Cult’s 10th album, Fire of Unknown Origin, included the Top 40 hit “Burnin’ For You,” which reached number one on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart and number 40 on Billboard’s Pop Singles chart.

It has been more than three decades since Blue Oyster Cult began touring, and they have no plans to stop. Their official motto, “On Tour Forever,” still endures, as the band maintains a relentless touring schedule of more than 100 dates per year, and brings new and classic songs alike to their fans.

The band’s latest live/original recording is A Long Day’s Night (2002), and has been released on DVD and VHS as well as CD. They have also re-released a four-song album from their 1972 play list entitled Live 1972 (2004).

Blue Oyster Cult has released more than 25 albums and has had their music integrated in numerous films and video games. Current members include Eric Bloom (vocals), Buck Dharma (guitar), Allen Lanier (keyboard/guitar), Richie Castellano (bass) and Jules Radino (drums).

Founded by former Deep Purple guitarist, Richie Blackmore, Rainbow quickly developed into one of the 1970s most successful heavy metal bands. Now, former Rainbow musicians, from all different periods within the bands history will reunite with a second generation Blackmore to form Over the Rainbow.

The son of the Rainbow founder/guitarist, Ritchie Blackmore, is Jurgen (“J.R.”) Blackmore. J.R. is a critically acclaimed guitarist in his own right and agreed to join this endeavor after realizing how intense the demand was for a Rainbow “reunion.” Over The Rainbow marks the first time that four members from three different eras of Rainbow will take the stage together along with J.R. Blackmore.

Over the Rainbow is Blackmore (guitar), Joe Lynn Turner (vocals), Paul Morris (keyboards), Bobby Rondinelli (drums) and Greg Smith (bass).

The original Rainbow spawned more than 20 albums (five Gold, four Silver), seven Billboard Hot 100 and Mainstream Rock tracks, six Top 75 UK songs and at least seven MTV frequently played videos. Their longest tenure was from its inception through 1984 when it went on hiatus so Richie Blackmore could reform Deep Purple. A decade later, Rainbow toured and recorded an album. Since then, Ritchie Blackmore has turned his focus toward Blackmore’s Night.

Since 1998, former members of Rainbow and their respective management offices have been bombarded with requests for Rainbow to reunite. Rondinelli, Smith and Turner answered “the call” but agreed the only legitimate way this could be accomplished was with a Blackmore on guitar. Enter: J.R. Blackmore.

Greg Smith agrees the market for Rainbow’s brand of rock is under served. “I know there is a big demand for this music,” he says. “The fact that all members are ex-Rainbow from different periods in the band’s history will give the music the genuineness it deserves. A Blackmore on guitar will give it even more authenticity.”

Blue Oyster Cult and Over the Rainbow are part of the Belle Tire Concert Series.