BLUE ÖYSTER CULT frontman Eric Bloom, 81, will miss several upcoming band performances while recovering from a non-life-threatening surgical procedure. Bloom disclosed the news on social media: "During BÖC's time off I scheduled a non-life threatening surgical procedure. I am on the mend, but the recovery is taking a little longer than expected."
In his place, the band have confirmed that veteran musician Kasim Sulton will handle frontman duties at select shows. Bloom expressed full confidence in his stand-in: "He will knock it out of the park."
Sulton is well-known to rock and metal fans from multiple angles. The multi-instrumentalist served as bassist and backing vocalist for BLUE ÖYSTER CULT between 2012 and 2017, and boasts an extensive résumé that includes stints with Meat Loaf, Hall & Oates, Cheap Trick, and Todd Rundgren's Utopia — where he scored a hit with "Set Me Free." He is also scheduled to join Todd Rundgren's "Damned If I Do" tour, launching June 11 in St. Charles, Illinois.
BLUE ÖYSTER CULT's next scheduled gig is May 16 in Oroville, California, with a string of summer and fall dates to follow. The band's most recent performance was February 26 on the Rock Legends Cruise.
Bloom's health is reportedly not in danger, and the band intend to continue with Sulton until the frontman has made a full recovery.