| Full Name | Vincent Damon Furnier |
| Age | 75 |
| Birthday | February 4, 1948 |
| Net Worth | $50 million |
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper (born Vincent Damon Furnier on February 4, 1948) is an American singer, songwriter and actor whose legendary career has spanned over five decades. Often referred to as the “Godfather of Shock Rock,” Cooper pioneered the use of elaborate horror-themed stage shows, makeup, props and costumes to shock and entertain rock audiences. Over the decades, he has released 27 hit-filled studio albums, sold over 50 million records worldwide and continues to tour extensively today at age 75.
Biography
Born in Detroit but raised in Phoenix, Cooper formed his first high school band The Spiders in 1964, later changing their name to Alice Cooper in 1968. The original Alice Cooper band released their debut album Pretties for You in 1969, gaining notice for their experimental psych rock sound and live shows featuring provocative antics.
Cooper launched a successful solo career with the 1975 classic album Welcome to My Nightmare and its hit power ballad “Only Women Bleed.” His commercial peak came in the early 70s with multi-platinum albums like School‘s Out, Billion Dollar Babies and Muscle of Love.
After battling alcoholism in the late 70s, he returned renewed in the 80s. Cooper was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011 and continues to release albums and tour the world regularly today.
Shock Rock Innovator
Alice Cooper pioneered the genre of “shock rock,” infusing hard rock with elements of horror, theater and satire. His live shows feature snakes, pyrotechnics, guillotines and enough fake blood to terrify even the toughest fan. He wears ghoulish black outfits and makeup, acting out scenes of insanity and murder. This master showmanship has inspired countless bands like KISS, Motley Crue and Marilyn Manson to follow in his footsteps.
Some of Cooper‘s most ingenious moments include descending onto the stage in a straitjacket, conducting manic monologues with a snake named Venus, and performing executions in a variety of bizarre ways. He also pioneered the use of toy factore dentist chairs and broken baby doll parts strewn about the stage.
Seeing Alice Cooper live is like no other concert experience – it‘s dark, funny, scary and exhilarating all at once. He invented shock rock as we know it.
Interesting Facts
- His birth name is Vincent Furnier – he legally became Alice Cooper in 1974
- Cooper is an avid golfer – he opened a golf-themed club for kids called The Rock in Arizona
- He has appeared on TV shows like The Muppet Show, That 70s Show and Dusk Till Dawn
- Cooper once ran for President in 1972 under the satirical campaign “A Troubled Man for Troubled Times”
- He owns a popular sports bar chain called Alice Cooper‘stown with locations across the US
Legacy
Alice Cooper leaves behind an legendary legacy in rock history. His pioneering shock rock productions, iconic image, hit songs, and decades of evolution have cemented his status as a true icon. He has inspired the imagery, sounds and styles of countless bands. And even at 75, Cooper continues to deliver electrifying live shows and new music for fans worldwide.
For any lover of hard rock, metal or punk, Alice Cooper is required listening. He embodies the excess and theatrics of rock n’ roll. Seeing him live is a rite of passage. I will forever cherish the Alice Cooper concerts I’ve attended over the years. He is the Godfather of Shock Rock indeed!