Happy Birthday Alice Cooper

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February 4, 1948 – Vincent Damon Furnier a.k.a. Alice Cooper also called ‘The Godfather of Shock Rock’ American singer is 71. Happy Birthday Sir

Tracklist :

1 . Poison (Official Video)

2 . Love’S A Loaded Gun (Official Video)

3 . Hey Stoopid (Official Video)

4 . House Of Fire (Official Video)

5 . Welcome To My Nightmare (From Alice Cooper: Trashes The World)

6 . Feed My Frankenstein

7 . School’s Out (From Alice Cooper: Trashes The World)

8 . No More Mr. Nice Guy (From Alice Cooper: Trashes The World)

9 . Along Came A Spider (The Movie)

10 . Steven (From Alice Cooper: Trashes The World)

11 . Only Women Bleed / Cold Ethyl (Manchester Apollo, Uk, Oct 2011)

12 . Freedom (Official Video)

13 . Billion Dollar Babies (Live)

14 . I’m Eighteen (From Alice Cooper: Trashes The World)

15 . Public Animal # 9

Alice Cooper: The Godfather of Shock Rock

Alice Cooper, born Vincent Furnier on February 4, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan, is a rock musician known for pioneering shock rock with theatrical stage shows and macabre themes. The second child of Ella and Mickey Furnier, his father was a pastor, and his grandfather worked as an evangelist. Growing up in a church environment, Alice balanced his spiritual upbringing with a fascination for rock and roll, surrealism, and Dada art.

During high school, he developed his artistic sensibilities, influenced by Salvador Dalí and 1960s UK bands like The Beatles and The Yardbirds. His friendship with Dennis Dunaway, who shared his interests, became instrumental in forming his first band, The Earwigs, which evolved into Alice Cooper.

The band’s name, derived from a Ouija board suggestion, combined the innocence of a “little old lady” with an air of danger, perfectly encapsulating their aesthetic.

The Birth of Shock Rock

Alice Cooper’s stage persona emerged as the band embraced theatricality, combining hard rock with surreal and Dada-inspired performances. Early shows featured shocking elements like guillotines, snakes, and simulated violence, pushing the boundaries of traditional rock concerts. Producer Bob Ezrin helped refine their sound, turning “18” into their first major hit.

The band’s theatrical performances gained attention at events like the Toronto Peace Festival in 1969, where a chicken-throwing incident led to a fabricated story about Alice tearing the bird apart. Such urban legends, combined with their unique image, made the band notorious.

Albums like *Killer*, *School’s Out*, and *Billion Dollar Babies* solidified their commercial success, influencing punk and metal while pioneering theatricality in rock music.

Solo Career and Artistic Evolution

After the band dissolved, Alice Cooper continued as a solo artist, producing concept albums like *Welcome to My Nightmare* and *From the Inside*. His collaborations with figures like Vincent Price and Bernie Taupin expanded his artistic range. He experimented with New Wave and produced albums like *Dada* during a period of personal struggles with addiction.

In the late 1980s and 1990s, Alice returned to his hard rock roots, embracing a spiritual dimension in his lyrics. Albums like *Brutal Planet* and *Dragon Town* reflected this evolution, while his stage shows continued to push boundaries.

His persona remained distinct from his personal life, allowing him to balance fame and introspection, which he views as two sides of the same coin.

Personal Life and Recovery

Alice Cooper struggled with alcoholism and drug addiction during his career, describing alcohol as both a poison and a medicine. His wife, Cheryl, played a pivotal role in his recovery, and he attributes his sobriety to his faith in God. Sober for over 22 years, he maintains that his energy and creativity have flourished without alcohol.

He has been married to Cheryl for over 25 years, with a daughter who occasionally performs on stage with him. An avid golfer and committed Christian, he keeps his personal life grounded while continuing to shock audiences as Alice Cooper.

He views his fame and stage persona with humor and detachment, emphasizing his role as an entertainer rather than a political or cultural figure.

Legacy

Alice Cooper’s impact on rock music is undeniable. As a pioneer of shock rock, he broke down barriers, making theatrics commercially viable. His influence extends to artists like David Bowie, Kiss, and countless others in punk and metal. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he remains a beloved and iconic figure in music.

Known for combining horror, humor, and hard rock, Alice Cooper continues to perform and release music, embracing his duality as both a rock star and a grounded individual. His ability to shock and entertain has solidified his place as one of rock’s most enduring figures.

Whether as Vincent Furnier or Alice Cooper, his legacy is one of artistic innovation, resilience, and unforgettable performances.

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(*) According to our own statistics, upadted on January 29, 2022

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