50 Facts About Alice Cooper

Early Life and Band Formation

Alice Cooper, born Vincent Damon Furnier, has a fascinating journey that began in Detroit, Michigan. His early life and the formation of his band set the stage for his legendary career.

1. Early Life: Born on February 4, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan, Cooper moved to Phoenix, Arizona, at age 12 due to childhood illnesses.
2. Band Formation: In 1964, while still in high school, Cooper formed his first rock band, The Earwigs, which later became The Spiders and then The Nazz before finally settling on Alice Cooper.
3. High School Talent Show: The Earwigs won a high school talent show by miming Beatles songs, inspiring them to learn instruments and start playing local shows around Phoenix.

Rise to Fame

The journey from local gigs to international stardom was marked by key moments and decisions that propelled Alice Cooper into the limelight.

4. Move to Los Angeles: In 1967, the band moved to Los Angeles seeking a record deal. Despite initial rejections, they caught Frank Zappa's attention, who signed them to his label.
5. Band Name Change: In 1969, the band renamed themselves Alice Cooper, a name chosen for its twisted originality and misleading innocence.
6. First Breakthrough: Their big break came in 1969 at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles, where Frank Zappa discovered them.
7. Early Success: The band's debut album in 1969 had minimal chart success, but they broke out with "I'm Eighteen" and the third album "Love It to Death" in 1970.
8. Commercial Peak: The band's commercial peak came in 1973 with "Billion Dollar Babies," featuring hits like "Be My Lover" and "Hello Hooray."

Solo Career and Theatrical Performances

After the original band disbanded, Alice Cooper embarked on a solo career that was marked by theatrical performances and concept albums.

9. Legal Name Change: In 1975, Cooper legally changed his name to avoid legal complications over the band's name, paying yearly royalties to the original members.
10. Solo Career: Cooper's solo career began with the concept album "Welcome to My Nightmare" in 1975, marking the final breakup of the original band.
11. Theatrical Tours: His solo career featured incredibly theatrical tours, including the "Welcome to My Nightmare" tour with dialog from horror legend Vincent Price.
12. Television Appearances: Cooper made numerous TV appearances, including "The Muppet Show," "Mae West's final film Sextette," and "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."
13. Film Appearances: He appeared in several films, including "Diary of a Mad Housewife," "Good to See You Again Alice Cooper," and "Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare."

Horror Themes and Stage Illusions

Alice Cooper's unique blend of horror and rock has become his signature, captivating audiences with macabre themes and elaborate stage illusions.

14. Horror Themes: His music and stage shows often incorporate horror themes, drawing from horror films, vaudeville, and garage rock.
15. Stage Illusions: Known for elaborate stage illusions, his performances feature electric chairs, guillotines, fake blood, and reptiles.
16. Record Sales: Cooper has sold over 50 million records, making him one of the best-selling rock artists of all time.
17. Influence on Rock Music: He has significantly influenced rock music, pioneering a macabre and theatrical brand of hard rock.

Personal Life and Challenges

Despite his on-stage persona, Alice Cooper's personal life has seen its share of challenges and triumphs.

18. Personal Life: Born in Detroit and raised in Phoenix, Cooper still lives in Arizona. He attended Glendale Community College, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
19. Family Background: His father was a minister, and his name was inspired by his uncle, Vincent Collier Furnier, and writer Damon Runyon.
20. Stage Persona: Cooper's stage persona is known for its androgynous and macho elements, evolving over the years.
21. Controversy and Censorship: His music and stage shows have often faced controversy and censorship, like the BBC banning the "School's Out" video.

Collaborations and Publicity Stunts

Alice Cooper's career is also marked by notable collaborations and memorable publicity stunts that kept him in the public eye.

22. Publicity Stunts: Known for publicity stunts, he once sent flowers to Mary Whitehouse, a Christian morality campaigner who had the BBC ban "School's Out."
23. Collaborations: Cooper has collaborated with various artists, including Lou Reed's backing band for "Welcome to My Nightmare" and Twisted Sister on "Be Chrool To Your Scuel."
24. Health Issues: In the late 1970s, Cooper struggled with alcohol addiction, nearly costing him his life. He checked into rehab and later wrote about his experiences on "From the Inside."
25. Rehabilitation and Recovery: After a severe relapse, Cooper sobered up again, returning with albums like "Constrictor," "Raise Your Fist and Yell," and the hit single "Poison" from "Trash."

Film and Television Appearances

Alice Cooper's influence extends beyond music into film and television, where his unique persona has made memorable appearances.

26. Horror Film Appearances: In the 1980s, Cooper appeared in horror films like "Monster Dog" and "Prince of Darkness," contributing songs to soundtracks like "Roadie" and "Shocker."
27. Television Specials: He starred in the TV special "Alice Cooper: The Nightmare" in 1975, part of his "Welcome to My Nightmare" tour.
28. Muppet Show Appearance: Cooper appeared on "The Muppet Show" in 1976, performing "No More Mr. Nice Guy" with the Muppets.
29. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band: He appeared in the 1978 film "Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band," a musical comedy directed by Michael Schultz.
30. Wayne’s World: Cooper made a memorable appearance as himself in the 1992 film "Wayne’s World," based on the popular Saturday Night Live sketch.
31. Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare: Cooper played Freddy Krueger’s wicked step-father in the 1991 film "Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare."
32. Something Wilder: He appeared on Gene Wilder’s TV series "Something Wilder" in the 1990s.
33. That ‘70’s Show: Cooper also appeared on the popular sitcom "That ‘70’s Show" in the 1990s.

Albums and Discography

Alice Cooper's extensive discography showcases his versatility and enduring appeal in the rock music scene.

34. Albums and Discography: Cooper has released numerous albums, including "Welcome to My Nightmare," "Alice Cooper Goes to Hell," "Lace and Whiskey," "From the Inside," "Flush the Fashion," "Special Forces," "Zipper Catches Skin," "DaDa," "Constrictor," "Raise Your Fist and Yell," and "Trash." His most recent solo album is "Detroit Stories," released in 2021.
35. Touring Schedule: He regularly tours the world, performing shows with dark and horror-themed theatrics, spending about six months each year on the road.

Impact on Pop Culture

Alice Cooper's influence on pop culture is undeniable, with his unique blend of rock and horror themes inspiring countless artists and fans.

36. Impact on Pop Culture: Cooper has significantly impacted pop culture, influencing many artists with his unique blend of rock and horror themes.
37. Silver Bracelet: He wears a silver bracelet on his left wrist that can only be removed with a key possessed solely by his wife, Sheryl, symbolizing their enduring relationship and his commitment to sobriety.
38. Zappa Encounter: Cooper and his band once set up their instruments in Frank Zappa's yard, performing until Zappa either gave them a record deal or called the police. Zappa eventually signed them.
39. Golf Monster Book: In 2007, Cooper published "Golf Monster," detailing his experiences with golf and sobriety, providing insight into his personal life and recovery journey.
40. Rock Critic Confidential: Cooper contributed an afterword to Jeffrey Morgan’s memoirs "Rock Critic Confidential," released in 2021 by New Haven.

Collaborations and Contributions

Alice Cooper's collaborations with other artists and contributions to various projects highlight his versatility and influence in the music industry.

41. Collaborations with Other Artists: Cooper has collaborated with various artists, including Lou Reed’s backing band and Twisted Sister. He has also appeared on tracks by other artists, such as "Be Chrool To Your Scuel" by Twisted Sister.
42. Horror Film Soundtracks: Cooper contributed songs to the soundtracks of several horror films, including "Roadie," "Class of 1984," "Friday the 13th: The New Blood," and "Shocker."
43. Television Appearances in the 1970s: Besides "The Muppet Show," Cooper appeared on other TV shows in the 1970s, including "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" and "The Snoop Sisters."
44. Film Appearances in the 1970s: He appeared in several films in the 1970s, including "Diary of a Mad Housewife" and "Good to See You Again Alice Cooper." He also starred in an episode of "The Female Instinct" in 1972.

Concept Albums and Theatrical Tours

Alice Cooper's concept albums and theatrical tours have become a hallmark of his career, showcasing his creativity and storytelling abilities.

45. Concept Albums: Cooper has released several concept albums, including "Welcome to My Nightmare" and "Alice Cooper Goes to Hell," featuring cohesive themes and storytelling.
46. Theatrical Tours and Specials: His theatrical tours have been accompanied by TV specials like "Alice Cooper: The Nightmare," featuring dialog from horror legend Vincent Price.

Challenging Social Norms

Alice Cooper's music and stage shows have often challenged social norms and authority, pushing boundaries and shocking audiences.

47. Impact on Social Norms: His performances have driven a stake through the heart of the Love Generation by pushing boundaries and shocking audiences.
48. Cultural Icon: Cooper has become a cultural icon, known for his outrageous stage performances and macabre imagery, inspiring new generations of rock fans.

Legacy and Continued Success

Alice Cooper's legacy in rock music is significant, and he continues to tour and release new music, maintaining his status as a rock legend.

49. Legacy in Rock Music: Cooper's legacy in rock music is significant, influencing many artists with his theatrical performances and shocking imagery. He remains one of the most recognizable artists in the world, known for his over-the-top eyeliner look inspired by Bette Davis’ character in "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" and the Great Tyrant character from "Barbarella."
50. Continued Success: Despite his long career, Cooper continues to tour and release new music. His most recent solo album, "Detroit Stories," was released in 2021, and he has announced a fall tour to promote the record, supported by Ace Frehley.

Alice Cooper's Lasting Legacy

Alice Cooper's impact on rock music and pop culture is undeniable. From his early days with The Earwigs to his solo career, Cooper has consistently pushed boundaries. His theatrical performances, horror-themed stage shows, and unique blend of rock and vaudeville have made him a true icon. With over 50 million records sold and countless memorable appearances in film and television, Cooper's influence spans generations. His commitment to his craft and ability to reinvent himself have kept him relevant for decades. Despite personal struggles, including battles with alcohol addiction, Cooper's resilience and dedication to his art have solidified his place in rock history. As he continues to tour and release new music, Alice Cooper remains a testament to the enduring power of creativity and showmanship. His legacy will undoubtedly inspire future artists and entertain fans for years to come.