Alice Cooper is an American singer, songwriter and actor. He is known as a pioneer of shock rock and a master of hard rock.
Alice Cooper Biography
Vincent Damon Furnier, known professionally as Alice Cooper, is an American singer, songwriter and actor, which a lengthy and fulfilling 5-decade career. His unique voice and spooky stage presence brought him the nickname “The Godfather of Shock Rock“. His musical style was born from horror movies, vaudeville theatre and garage rock.
The Band
Originally, Furnier created Alice Cooper as a band. The heavy metal sound combined with horror visual elements, such as torture machines, fake blood and snakes and swords, was meant to shock the audience. Moreover, legend says the name itself came after an Ouija board session. After a truly unsuccessful gig, music manager Shep Gordon, approached the band, believing he could harness all that negativity. Therefore, in 1969 the group released their debut album, Pretties for You. After two moderately successful albums, the band made its breakthrough with the 1972
After two moderately successful albums, the band made its breakthrough with the 1972 School’s Out. The record reached number 2 and sold over 1 million copies, while the title track became one of Alice Cooper’s most popular. One year later, Billion Dollar Babies, with its major hit No More Mr. Nice Guy, topped the album charts in both the US and the UK.
The Legend Itself
In 1975, Alice Cooper released his first solo album, Welcome to My Nightmare. The album reached number 5 on the Billboard 200 and went platinum. Additionally, it spawned the hit ballad Only Women Bleed. After another win with the follow-up album, Alice Cooper Goes to Hell, the artist’s career went downwards, due to his alcoholism and his inability to accept the new musical trends. During the 80’s he continued to be active, but with no noteworthy events.
Photo source: UltimateClassicRock
