Question: is there really cowbell in don't fear the reaper

Answer: Yes, The song features prominent use of the cowbell percussion instrument, overdubbed on the original recording. Bassist Joe Bouchard remembered the producer requesting his brother, drummer Albert Bouchard, play the cowbell: ``Albert thought he was crazy. But he put all this tape around a cowbell and played it. It really pulled the track together.'' However, producer David Lucas says that he played it, a claim supported by guitarist Eric Bloom.