This page is dedicated to
ALICE COOPER
Vincent Damon Furnier (Alice Cooper) formed his first group in the early
sixties called "the Earwigs" which later became known as "The Spiders".
The Band started to record and perform both of which were moderately
successful. Soon after around 1966 the band changed it's name to Alice Cooper.
It is said that the name came from the 'other side' and that Furnier was the
reincarnation of a 17th century witch. It was soon after this that he
bagan calling himself Alice Cooper.The man and the band were born/reincarnated.
The band comprised of Alice Cooper (lead vocals),Mike Bruce (guitar),
Glen Buxton (guitar), Dennis Dunaway (bass guitar)and Neal Smith (drummer).
In 1968 the band moved to California where they were introduced to Frank Zappa's
manager, Shep Gordon who got them signed to "Straight records".
Their first album released in America "Preties For You" was followed up with
"Easy Action". Both albums failed to make much impact but Alice Cooper new
that there was a vehicle for his music. In 1970 The band moved from LA to Furnier's hometown of Detriot
where the group began to create a spectacular horror road show.
Later this year they signed to "Warner records" with producer Bob Ezrin on board.
The bands well known heavy metal style pop/rock began to imerge with the release
of their next album "Love It To Death" which was a big hit and so to the single
"Eighteen".
With their first hit single and album and the nightmarish stage show, the
band developed a huge following. This band not only produced great music
but entertained superbly on stage. In 1972 after months of speculation, the Alice Cooper
road show came to the UK. The single "Schools Out" was
released in 1972 and went to no1. Parents accross the country were mortified at
this satanic glambam man with a womens name!!!"We don't want our kids to be exposed to this"
they would say. Nothing could stop Cooper from dominating the music sceen. Consert tickets were
sold in hours and fans went mad for the Alice Cooper show. The Album of the same name
was already a no2 hit in the States and reached the top ten in the UK.
The next album "Billion Doller Babies" went staight to no1 both in
the States and in the UK. The single "Elected"
went into the top ten at no2 in the UK.
The album produced even more singles."Hello Hurray" which
went to no 6 in 1973 and "No More Mr Nice Guy"
which got to no 10 in the Uk and peaked at 25 in the States.
In 1973 the next offering,"Muscle Of Love"
was to be the current bands last effort. The single"Teenage Lament"
reached no 12 in the UK early 1974. However after the "Alice Coopers Greatest Hits" album
Furnier went solo.The greatest hits album was a top ten hit and saw Cooper's
world domination take form. The first solo album"Welcome To My Nightmare" was a huge hit everywhere.
The interesting thing though was the colabortion with Lou Reeds x band members whom formed his new backing band.
The single from the album"Only Women Bleed" went to no1. in the Uk, sang by Julie
Covington. The other single"Department Of Youth"reached no19 in 1975.
The follow up solo album in 1976"Alice Cooper Goes To Hell" went GOLD in the US
and reached no 23 in the UK album charts. Although Alice Cooper continued to make records and tour,
he failed to make regular top 40 chart positions. Out of sight but not out of mind! His fans
were always there and he continued to make new ones. Out of what seemed nowhere came an album in 1989
"Trash". All the tracks were great but the hit single"Poison"
was amazing and possibly biographical of the early days. Both the album and single were huge world wide reaching no2.
in the UK. Since this come back Alice Cooper's nightmare continues. If
you are brave enough, go see him and try to get in the front row!!!
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