Fire of Unknown Origin (album)

Fire of Unknown Origin is the eighth studio album by Blue Öyster Cult. It was released in July 1981 by Columbia Records. It peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 200 on September 19, 1981 and held for two weeks. Its lead single, "Burnin' For You," peaked at No. 40 on the Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks charts.

Fire of Unknown Origin was certified Gold by RIAA in 1982. It is the last studio album to feature the full, original lineup, as Albert Bouchard was replaced by longtime road crew member Rick Downey during the following tour.

Blue Öyster Cult

 * Eric Bloom – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards
 * Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser – lead guitar, vocals, percussion, bass
 * Allen Lanier – keyboards
 * Joe Bouchard – bass, vocals
 * Albert Bouchard – drums, vocals, synthesizers, mixing

Additional musicians

 * Karla DeVito – vocals ("Sole Survivor")
 * Sandy Jean – vocals ("Don't Turn Your Back")
 * Bill Civitella – percussion ("Veteran of the Psychic Wars")
 * Tony Cedrone – percussion ("Veteran of the Psychic Wars")
 * Jesse Levy – string arrangements ("Veteran of the Psychic Wars," "Joan Crawford")

Production

 * Martin Birch – producer, engineer
 * Clay Hutchinson – engineer
 * Paul Stubblebine – mastering
 * Greg Scott – cover art
 * Paula Scher – sleeve design
 * Inner Tradition Books – back cover