A few things you probably don’t know about heavy metal pioneers Blue Öyster Cult: They formed in 1967 as Soft White Underbelly, and later were briefly re-branded Oaxaca and Stalk-Forrest Group before officially becoming Blue Öyster Cult in 1971. Their band’s discography includes 22 studio and live albums—but doesn’t include the first two albums, which were shelved by Elektra Records. BOC’s first manager, main lyricist and producer was Sandy Pearlman, one of rock music’s first influential critics. Pearlman helped form the group, gave each member a stage name (only one of which stuck) and later managed Black Sabbath.

Now here’s one thing you probably do know about Blue Öyster Cult: One of their biggest hits, “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” was the centerpiece of the classic Saturday Night Live skit in which Christopher Walken plays the song’s producer who implores Will Ferrell to cure his fever with “more cowbell!” Back to what you don’t know: The song’s actual producer, David Lucas, played the cowbell on the track. Lucas’ day job? He was an award-winning advertising jingle writer whose credits include AT&T’s “Reach Out and Touch Someone” and GE’s “We Bring Good Things to Life”—neither of which, to the best of our recollection, featured a cowbell.

Aliante Casino & Hotel, 8 p.m. March 24, starting at $30 plus tax and fee. 702.692.7777