Born on this day ...

[Ruby]

Joseph ‘Joe’ Bouchard was born on this day in 1948, in Watertown, New York. He and his marginally older brother, Albert, were members of Blue Öyster Cult – Albert, a founder member, on drums and vocals, and Joe on bass (although originally a regular guitarist) and vocals; he also plays keys and the trumpet. Both were with the band during its most successful period, the 70’s and early 80’s, I’d say.
 
After leaving BÖC in 1986, he participated in a couple of projects, including with his brother, and with Dennis Dunaway and Neal Smith of Alice Cooper notoriety.  Interestingly, later in life Bouchard completed a master’s degree in music and I’m not sure whether he’s retired now, (assumptions being nothing short of dangerous) but his degree allowed him to teach his subject at several preparatory schools, which he duly did. He also released a few solo albums, one in particular on which he played all the instruments and sang (sad to say, after taking a cursory listen, that’s all I’ll be doing!). A case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts IMHO – BÖC made a bit of an impact back in the day.
 
This was written by Joe Bouchard and he took his turn on lead vocal here too (as they all did at some point or another) … “Nosferatu” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gts2yGraydk
 
A quintessential BÖC song – “Burnin’ for You” -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipqqEFoJPL4
 
“Astronomy” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xXEtO3bEe0
 
“Then Came the Last Days of May” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyLMgIR69G4
 
And the 'more cowbell' model -