Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper is the name of a rock group from Phoenix, United States, active from 1964 to 1975 and associated with classic rock, garage rock, glam metal, glam rock, hard rock and heavy metal. The line-up includes Glen Buxton, Alice Cooper, Dennis Dunaway, John Speer, John Tatum, Michael Bruce and Neal Smith.

Early years and style

The band forms in Phoenix in 1964 and develops a theatrical hard rock style built around props, illusions and a deliberately macabre stage presence. It draws on horror films, vaudeville and garage rock, and becomes known for a rough vocal style and shock-oriented performances. The group is often associated with the idea of shock rock and with introducing horror imagery into rock music.

Records and songs

The original band releases seven studio albums between 1969 and 1973: Pretties for You, Easy Action, Love It to Death, Killer, School’s Out, Billion Dollar Babies and Muscle of Love. Its best-known singles include “I’m Eighteen”, “School’s Out” and “No More Mr. Nice Guy”.

After the band

After the group ends in 1975, Vincent Damon Furnier takes the name Alice Cooper and continues as a solo artist. His solo work begins with Welcome to My Nightmare and includes songs such as “Only Women Bleed”, “You and Me” and “Poison”. Over time, the solo career expands across many albums and styles, while retaining the theatrical and rock-based image linked to the original group.

Recognition and wider work

The original Alice Cooper band is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. Outside recording, Cooper also works as a film actor, golfing celebrity, restaurateur and radio disc jockey, and hosts the classic rock show Alice’s Attic from 2004. He also supports the Solid Rock Foundation, which provides free music, art and vocational programmes for at-risk young people in Phoenix.