Allen Lanier, one of the founding members of Blue Öyster Cult and multi-instrumentalist, has tragically passed away at the age of 67 after a long battle with lung disease.

Lanier performed with Blue Öyster Cult from 1967 until 2007, and last fall returned for a 40th anniversary performance with the band. All fourteen studio albums featured his contributions. Also noteworthy are his many collaborations with other artists of the time, spanning many different genres; some particularly significant collaborations occurred with Lanier’s former girlfriend Patti Smith, Jim Carroll, The Dictators, and The Clash.

Some of the most famous songs which Lanier helped breathe life into while playing with Blue Öyster Cult include “Burnin’ For You,” “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” and “Godzilla.”

A lifetime of smoking eventually caused the well-read and talented multi-instrumentalist to succumb to complications arising from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or C.O.P.D.

Eric Bloom, the lead vocalist of Blue Öyster Cult, had allegedly not maintained a consistent friendship with Lanier in the final years of his life, but mourned him with a heartfelt and deeply moving eulogy which he posted on the band’s official Facebook yesterday.