Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper (born Vincent Damon Furnier, February 4, 1948), is a heavy metal singer and musician.

1970s

In 1970, the band teamed up with fledgling producer Bob Ezrin on their album entitled Love It to Death. This was the first of more than 10 Alice Cooper group and solo albums done with Ezrin who is credited with having helped to create their definitive sound. A hit single soon followed in 1971's "I'm Eighteen". The band's trailblazing mix of shock and glam theatrics stood out amongst bearded, denim-clad hippy bands by sporting sequined costumes by the prominent rock fashion designer Cindy Dunaway (Pink Floyd, The Who) and stage shows that involved gothic torture modes imposed on the lead singer. In the summer of 1972, Alice Cooper served up School's Out to their hungry audience. The album reached number two on the charts and sold over a million copies. The title song went Top 10 in the US and a number one single in the UK.

Related Topics:
1970 - Bob Ezrin - Love It to Death - 1971 - 1972 - School's Out

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Billion Dollar Babies, released in 1973, was the band's most commercially successful album, reaching no. 1 in both the US and Britain. That album's first single, "No More Mr. Nice Guy," became a Top 10 hit in Britain, and reached number 25 in the U.S. With a string of successful concept albums in the bag, the band toured the world - attempts to ban their shocking act by politicians and pressure groups only serving to fuel the myth of Alice Cooper and generate more audience interest.

Related Topics:
Billion Dollar Babies - 1973

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In 1974, the band split - Cooper himself wanting to retain the theatrics that had brought them so much attention, the rest of the group wanting to concentrate on the music which had given them credibility.

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His first solo album was Welcome to My Nightmare. He was backed by Lou Reed's band, guitarist Dick Wagner, guitarist Steve Hunter, bassist Prakash John, keyboardist Joseph Chrowski, and drummer Penti Glan. The album was another top 10 hit for Cooper.

Related Topics:
Welcome to My Nightmare - Lou Reed - Dick Wagner - Steve Hunter - Prakash John - Joseph Chrowski - Penti Glan

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After three further disappointing albums, in 1977 Cooper was hospitalized in a New York sanitarium for alcoholism. This may be responsible for a surprise return to form on the hard-rocking, semi-autobiographical album From The Inside. Around this time Cooper led celebrities in raising money to remodel the famous Hollywood Sign in California. Cooper himself chipped in over $27,000 for the project, doing it in memory of friend and comedian Groucho Marx.

Related Topics:
1977 - New York - Sanitarium - Alcoholism - Hollywood Sign - California - Comedian - Groucho Marx

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