Blue Öyster Cult in Rockford

Blue Öyster Cult is an American hard rock band that adopted its present name on Long Island in 1971. Its music draws on hard rock, heavy metal and psychedelia, and its best-known recordings include “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” “Godzilla” and “Burnin’ for You,” as well as the albums Agents of Fortune, Spectres and Fire of Unknown Origin. The 1975 live album On Your Feet or on Your Knees documented the band’s mid-1970s concert repertoire, including “Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll” and “ME 262.” In 1980, Blue Öyster Cult toured with Black Sabbath on the Black and Blue Tour, and a performance at Nassau Coliseum became the concert film Black and Blue. The following year, the band played the Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington.

Uriah Heep are a British rock band formed in London in 1969. Their hard rock is marked by Hammond organ, heavy guitar riffs and layered vocal harmonies, heard on albums including Demons and Wizards and The Magician’s Birthday. Their best-known songs include “Easy Livin’,” “Lady in Black” and “July Morning.” In 1973, Uriah Heep recorded the double album Uriah Heep Live at Birmingham Town Hall. In December 1987, they played a series of concerts at Moscow’s Olympic Stadium, performances documented on the album Live in Moscow.