The name Alice Cooper was chosen for its innocuous, wholesome quality to serve as a jarring contrast to the theatrical, macabre stage presence of the original band. Born Vincent Damon Furnier in Detroit in 1948, the musician pioneered a brand of rock that integrated horror elements, elaborate stage illusions, and vaudeville to redefine the genre's visual boundaries.
Early Formation and Relocation
In 1964, while attending Cortez High School in Phoenix, Arizona, Furnier formed his first musical group, the Earwigs, for a school talent show. The group, which included Glen Buxton, Dennis Dunaway, John Tatum, and John Speer, initially mimed to parodies of Beatles songs before transitioning into a functional rock band. After evolving into the Spiders and later Nazz, the group secured a local number-one hit with 'Don't Blow Your Mind' in 1966. By 1967, the band relocated to Los Angeles, eventually settling on the name Alice Cooper to distinguish themselves from Todd Rundgren’s band.
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The band’s stage persona drew inspiration from films such as the 1962 thriller What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? and the 1968 science fiction film Barbarella. Incorporating the dark makeup and leather aesthetics seen in these productions, the group aimed to maximize stagecraft. Managed by Shep Gordon, the band eventually produced seven studio albums between 1969 and 1973, achieving commercial success with tracks like 'I'm Eighteen', 'School's Out', and 'No More Mr. Nice Guy'.
Solo Career and Musical Legacy
Following the disbandment of the original group in 1975, Furnier legally adopted the name Alice Cooper. He launched his solo career with the concept album Welcome to My Nightmare, followed by hit singles including 'Only Women Bleed' and 'Poison'. Throughout his career, he has explored diverse styles, including hard rock, glam rock, and heavy metal. With over 50 million records sold worldwide and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011, he remains a significant figure in music history.
Fast facts
- Born: 1948, Detroit
- Legal name: Vincent Damon Furnier
- Education: Cortez High School and Glendale Community College
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: 2011
- Record sales: Over 50 million worldwide
- Religion: The Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite)
- Philanthropy: Solid Rock Foundation
Questions readers ask
What inspired the stage persona of Alice Cooper?
The band drew inspiration from surrealist art, the horror aesthetic of films like What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, and the costume designs seen in Barbarella.
How did the original band name come about?
The group chose the name Alice Cooper in 1968 because it sounded wholesome and innocuous, providing a humorous contrast to their actual musical style and stage presence.
Achievements
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — 2011
- Instruments: harmonica and voice
- Genres: rock music, hard rock and heavy metal music
