Alice Cooper: A Comprehensive Overview

Alice Cooper. Early Life and Background

Full Name: Vincent Damon Furnier
Birth Date: February 4, 1948
Birth Place: Detroit, Michigan, USA

Alice Cooper is an American singer, songwriter, and actor known for pioneering the shock rock genre. With a career spanning over five decades, he is recognized for his theatrical stage shows and dark, horror-themed lyrics.

Alice Cooper. Formation and Early History

Alice Cooper originally started as a band in the late 1960s, with Vincent Furnier adopting the stage name Alice Cooper. The name eventually became synonymous with Furnier himself as he embarked on a solo career.

Alice Cooper. Original Band Members:

• Alice Cooper (Vincent Furnier): Vocals
• Glen Buxton: Lead guitar
• Michael Bruce: Rhythm guitar, keyboards
• Dennis Dunaway: Bass guitar
• Neal Smith: Drums

Alice Cooper. Band Members Over Time

While the original Alice Cooper band dissolved in 1975, Alice Cooper (Vincent Furnier) continued to perform and record as a solo artist with various backing musicians.

Alice Cooper. Key Collaborators Over Time:

• Steve Hunter: Guitar
• Dick Wagner: Guitar
• Neal Smith: Drums
• Dennis Dunaway: Bass
• Michael Bruce: Guitar, keyboards
• Kane Roberts: Guitar
• Ryan Roxie: Guitar
• Chuck Garric: Bass
• Glen Sobel: Drums

Musical Style and Influence

Alice Cooper’s music blends rock, hard rock, and heavy metal, characterized by theatricality, dark themes, and a sense of macabre humor. His stage performances often feature elaborate sets, including guillotines, electric chairs, fake blood, reptiles, baby dolls, and dueling swords.

Discography Highlights

Alice Cooper has released numerous successful albums, many of which have received critical acclaim and commercial success.

1. Pretties for You (1969)
2. Easy Action (1970)
3. Love It to Death (1971)
   • Hits: “I’m Eighteen”
4. Killer (1971)
5. School’s Out (1972)
   • Hits: “School’s Out”
6. Billion Dollar Babies (1973)
   • Hits: “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” “Elected,” “Billion Dollar Babies”
7. Muscle of Love (1973)
8. Welcome to My Nightmare (1975)
   • Hits: “Only Women Bleed,” “Welcome to My Nightmare”
9. Alice Cooper Goes to Hell (1976)
10. Lace and Whiskey (1977)
    • Hits: “You and Me”
11. From the Inside (1978)
    • Hits: “How You Gonna See Me Now”
12. Flush the Fashion (1980)
13. Special Forces (1981)
14. Dada (1983)
15. Constrictor (1986)
16. Raise Your Fist and Yell (1987)
17. Trash (1989)
    • Hits: “Poison”
18. Hey Stoopid (1991)
19. The Last Temptation (1994)
20. Brutal Planet (2000)
21. The Eyes of Alice Cooper (2003)
22. Along Came a Spider (2008)
23. Welcome 2 My Nightmare (2011)
24. Paranormal (2017)
25. Detroit Stories (2021)

Interesting Facts

• Pioneering Shock Rock: Alice Cooper is often credited with creating the “shock rock” genre, combining rock music with horror elements in his stage performances.
• Influence: His theatrical approach to rock influenced artists like Kiss, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, and many others.
• Film and TV Appearances: Cooper has appeared in various films and television shows, often playing himself or characters inspired by his stage persona.
• Golf Enthusiast: Despite his dark stage persona, Alice Cooper is an avid golfer and has written a memoir titled “Alice Cooper, Golf Monster.”
• Philanthropy: Cooper runs a non-profit organization called Solid Rock, which provides free music, dance, and art programs for teenagers in Arizona.

Legacy

Alice Cooper’s influence on rock music and popular culture is profound. His pioneering use of theatrics in rock concerts set the stage for future generations of performers. He has sold over 50 million records worldwide and continues to tour and record new music, maintaining a devoted fan base. Alice Cooper was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011, solidifying his status as a rock legend.