Buck Dharma
Encyclopedia
Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser (born November 12, 1947, On Long Island, New York) is an American
guitarist
and songwriter
, best known for being a member of Blue Öyster Cult
since the group
's formation in 1967. He wrote
and sang the lead vocal on many of the band's best-known hits, including "(Don't Fear) The Reaper
", "Godzilla
", and "Burnin' for You
" (the last originally intended for Roeser's solo album.)
The nickname came from an idea from the band's manager
, Sandy Pearlman
, who envisioned each member of the band having an unusual stage name; Roeser was the only one who took to the idea, and his was the only name that stuck.
and numerous custom Steinberger
models. One of his Steinberger guitars has a body carved to look like Swiss cheese (see photo). Dharma calls this guitar his "Cheeseberger".
His other equipment use includes: a Giuliano Balestra Vulcan, a Fender Stratocaster
, a St. Blues and custom models built by Rick Kresiak, Harper Guitars and Warren Guitars. Many of his guitars were made by White Plains based custom guitar maker, Guliano.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, best known for being a member of Blue Öyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult, often abbreviated BÖC, is an American rock band, most of whose members first came together in Long Island, NY in 1967 as the band Soft White Underbelly...
since the group
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
's formation in 1967. He wrote
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and sang the lead vocal on many of the band's best-known hits, including "(Don't Fear) The Reaper
(Don't Fear) The Reaper
" The Reaper" is a song by the rock band Blue Öyster Cult from their 1976 album, Agents of Fortune. It was written and sung by the band's lead guitarist, Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser and was produced by David Lucas, Murray Krugman, and Sandy Pearlman. It is built around Dharma's guitar riff that...
", "Godzilla
Godzilla (song)
"Godzilla" is a song by Blue Öyster Cult from their 5th album Spectres. The lyrics are a tribute to the popular movie monster of the same name. The song is, along with " The Reaper" and "Burnin' for You", one of Blue Öyster Cult's best known songs and has become a staple of their live performances...
", and "Burnin' for You
Burnin' for You
"Burnin' for You" is a song by American rock band Blue Öyster Cult from their album Fire of Unknown Origin, released in 1981. It reached number one on the Billboard Top Tracks chart and the single spent three weeks at number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart...
" (the last originally intended for Roeser's solo album.)
The nickname came from an idea from the band's manager
Management
Management in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...
, Sandy Pearlman
Sandy Pearlman
Sandy Pearlman is an American music producer, artist manager, professor, poet, songwriter, and once was a record company executive...
, who envisioned each member of the band having an unusual stage name; Roeser was the only one who took to the idea, and his was the only name that stuck.
Equipment
Roeser is notable for his use of the Gibson SGGibson SG
At the launch of the SG in 1961, Gibson offered four variants of the SG; the SG Junior , the SG Special, the SG Standard, and the top-of-the-line SG Custom. However, Gibson's current core variants as of 2010 are the SG Standard and the SG Special...
and numerous custom Steinberger
Steinberger
Steinberger refers to a series of distinctive electric guitars and bass guitars, designed and originally manufactured by Ned Steinberger. The word Steinberger can be used to refer to either the instruments themselves or the company that produced them...
models. One of his Steinberger guitars has a body carved to look like Swiss cheese (see photo). Dharma calls this guitar his "Cheeseberger".
His other equipment use includes: a Giuliano Balestra Vulcan, a Fender Stratocaster
Fender Stratocaster
The Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as "Strat", is a model of electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares in 1954, and manufactured continuously by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to the present. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top...
, a St. Blues and custom models built by Rick Kresiak, Harper Guitars and Warren Guitars. Many of his guitars were made by White Plains based custom guitar maker, Guliano.