Allen Lanier

Allen Glover Lanier (June 25, 1946 – August 14, 2013) was an original member of Blue Öyster Cult. He played keyboards and rhythm guitar. Lanier wrote several songs for Blue Öyster Cult albums. These included "True Confessions", "Tenderloin", "Searchin' for Celine", "In Thee", and "Lonely Teardrops". He also contributed to music by Patti Smith, Jim Carroll, The Dictators and The Clash. He dated Patti Smith for several years during the 1970s. When Lanier started in 1967, the group was known as Soft White Underbelly. He left the group and was replaced in 1986 by Tommy Zvoncheck. He returned in 1987. He retired from performing with them after the autumn of 2006. On August 14, 2013 he died of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).