Born To Be Wild (Live 1980)

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are cranking up the vibes with "Born To Be Wild (Live 1980)" by Blue Öyster Cult, pulled straight from their iconic live album On Your Feet Or On Your Knees. This track, a cover of the Steppenwolf classic written by Mars Bonfire, is a high-octane anthem that captures the raw energy of BÖC’s live performances. One juicy piece of trivia comes from the album’s production: recorded across multiple venues like the Academy of Music in New York and the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, the band didn’t specify which performance made the final cut, leaving Zoo Freaks to speculate which city’s crowd fueled this rebellious roar. The song’s inclusion on the 1975 double-LP, produced by Murray Krugman and Sandy Pearlman, was a bold move, closing the album with a cover that outshines many originals, with Eric Bloom’s gritty vocals and mirrored shades embodying the biker attitude.

Another tidbit from fan chatter on Blue Öyster Cult Fans Facebook group reveals that the band’s take on "Born To Be Wild" was a staple in their setlists, often stretched into a six-minute jam, as heard on the vinyl. A 2012 interview with co-founder Joe Bouchard on The Metal Voice shared that the live album’s cover photo, shot at St. Paul’s Church in South Salem, New York, was chosen to evoke a dark, cult-like mystique, tying perfectly with the song’s outlaw spirit. Fans on X have posted about how the song’s “heavy metal thunder” line, originally about motorcycles, felt like a nod to BÖC’s proto-metal sound, sparking debates about whether their version rivals Steppenwolf’s. The Hot Rails to Hell fan site notes that the 1975 release went Gold, cementing its status as a 70s live treasure, with “Born To Be Wild” as its roaring finale.

Blue Öyster Cult kicked off their journey in 1967 on the campus of Stony Brook University in Long Island, New York. Originally dubbed Soft White Underbelly, the band was a brainchild of students Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser, Albert Bouchard, and Allen Lanier, fueled by the psychedelic rock scene. Music critic Sandy Pearlman and producer Murray Krugman saw their potential, renaming them Blue Öyster Cult after a poem by Pearlman about cosmic mythology. Their self-titled debut in 1972, featuring songs like “Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll,” blended hard rock with eerie, cerebral lyrics, earning them a cult following. By the time they toured with acts like The Byrds and Alice Cooper, their live prowess was undeniable, setting the stage for hits like “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” and “Godzilla.”

Stay connected with Blue Öyster Cult through their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates and throwback gems. Zoo Freaks can dive deeper into the fandom at sites like Hot Rails to Hell, a treasure trove of BÖC history, or join discussions in the Blue Öyster Cult Fans and BÖC Fanatics Facebook groups. For the latest news, their official site is the go-to, recently hyping their 2026 Rock Legends Cruise appearance with bands like Uriah Heep. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a new Zoo Freak, BÖC’s wild legacy keeps roaring.