Auditioning for Columbia Records the New York band Blue Oyster Cult found themselves performing in front of Clive Davis (president of Columbia Records), some A&R representatives, Patti Smith (the singer was dating a member of the band), and Harry Nilsson.[1]

 

Harry Nilsson was there. The audition wasn't at a club. It was in a conference room at Columbia which I thought was strange. In this row of chairs sat Clive Davis, a couple of A&R guys, Patti Smith and Harry Nilsson. We had to play five feet in front of them.

-- Eric Bloom (2012) [2]

 

Bloom, a fan of Nilsson, was heart-broken when Harry walked out in the middle of the audition.

 

I couldn't believe it. Harry Nilsson walked out on our audition. I thought, "That's it. We're through."

-- Eric Bloom (2012) [3]

 

Nilsson soon returned and after the audition ended Bloom asked Nilsson why he left:

 

He just looked at me like it was no big deal and said, "I had to go have a cigarette."

-- Eric Bloom (2012) [4]

 

The audition resulted in the band being signed to Columbia.

 

There is no evidence that Nilsson suggested "more cowbell."