Rock n' Roll Hall of Famer Bringing 'To Close For Comfort' Tour To Charleston

Jeff Walker Entertainment Review

For the better part of 50 years Alice Cooper has been the undisputed King of Shock Rock. While there were a few that carried the shock rock mantle prior, and several carrying the torch today, none reached crossover success as well as Cooper. 

Since 1972 Cooper's had a string bestselling albums including 'School's Out' which was Number 1 for three weeks in August 1972, followed by 'Billion Dollar Babies' in 1973. He's garnered 10 Top 40 singles, three reaching the Top 10, with 'Schools Out' and 'Poison' (1989) peaking as high as seven on the pop charts.

Cooper admits his brand of showmanship didn't appeal to everyone 50 years ago. "The thing about shock rock is that it was totally new in the early 70's. Some music lovers got it, some didn't. But I grew on the masses. Hardliners wanted to label me as demonic, but I grew up in a Christian household. I never did anything sacrilegious or that included nudity." He goes on to say, "Everything is totally theatrical. It's very well done and with a good bit of humor. I think we all need that."

Why he caught on so quickly, rather than being relegated to more obscure genres. "The reason is simple. We wrote really good songs that connected with people. Guys like Iggy Pop who came up around the same time I did just didn't have the right songs that radio was looking for. Even Ozzy took a while for radio to catch on. Both of them are really great, but in the early 70's radio didn't embrace their style of music the way they did mine."

Born Vincent Furnier in Detroit Michigan Cooper spent his formative years in Phoenix Arizona. His father was an evangelist with the Church of Jesus Christ. Like many coming of age young teens in the 1960's Cooper was influenced by the emerging British Invasion that gave us The Beatles, The Who, and The Rolling Stones.

Surprisingly after reaching the pinnacle of success in the 1970's and facing backlash from overly religious groups, Cooper found solace in those close to him. "After I made it, I asked my pastor do I need to change it up. He pretty much said this is who you are and were meant to be. He said, remember always put God first. My shows are theatrical and meant to entertain."

Cooper puts his career and life in perspective. "Christianity is the number one thing in my life. Everyday I start out reading the Bible and in prayer. I know I didn't get here on my own." Cooper is proud to admit he, his children including two daughters and a son, as well as his wife are all Christians.

Five decades into his long career Cooper has sold over 50 million records and continues to enthrall fans of all ages in concert. Like many veteran artists the pandemic sidelined his annual tour schedule. 75 years young, Cooper says he's just as excited to be out on the road now as when he was 25.

"I am so looking forward to being back out on tour. We took 18 months off, and when you're used to doing 100 to 150 shows a year, that was crazy. Thankfully I had golf to keep me occupied." He adds, "The band, we're road rats. This is what we do, and I've been on the road since I was 18. It's all I know."

Cooper has a tight knit group when on the road. "My team are great. We do a production with a lot of choreography and my wife helps with that. She's been with me since she was 18 and we did the whole 'Welcome to My Nightmare' show. This time out the show is called 'Too Close For Comfort'. It will be Alice Cooper in your face. It's going to be surprising." 

He understands concert goers have their favorites and would never let them down. "I have to do a minimum of 20 songs in each show. There are songs fans just want to hear. They'd be really disappointed if I didn't do 'Feed My Frankenstein'."

Over the years Cooper has given talented musicians room to grow. After taking 2022 off, female axe slinger Nita Strauss is back with him. "She great. So young, yet extremely gifted. I have a revolving door when it comes to band. If they have an opportunity to do something I say take it. They will always be welcome back."

According to Cooper there is a great divide between his 25 year old self and 75 year old Alice. "The 1970's Alice was an outcast and he appealed to the lunatic fringe. It was just me and maybe Ozzy (Osbourne). I can't play that character anymore. So when I got clean in 1983, free of drugs and alcohol I invented this overbearing villain who was a rock god, and we created rock n' roll productions around that genre."

While he enjoyed several rounds of golf during the break, Cooper did find time to record an album dear to his heart. 'Detroit Stories' (2021) pays homage to his birthplace. "We recorded that during Covid. Bob Ezrin and I went to Detroit and found a bunch of really good Detroit musicians. Bob produced my first seven albums, so we work good together. I wanted to celebrate Detroit, because it's a hard rocking city. 'Detroit Stories' is like many of my albums. It's an all out gun slinging guitar driven album." 

Like many, fame brought several downfalls at the height of his celebrity. Thankfully, not long after attaining sobriety in 1983 Cooper found golf, his current fixation. "At first it was a closet addiction. It's funny really. When I quit drinking and doing drugs I had to find something, that next addiction, something that would satisfy me. When I hit that first ball and it was right down the middle I got hooked. I discovered I was a natural. Decades later I'm playing five or six times a week."

He's happy to say he's pretty good at the game but aside from God and family music is his first passion. Asked whether he'd prefer a good round where the pros play The Masters or delivering an awesome show, Cooper said that's a no-brainer.

"You think that would be a tough choice because I play golf almost every day, but I've played Augusta National. Honestly I'm competitive but I play golf for fun. So the answer to the question is a really killer show. No matter how you feel during the day, when you get on stage and you slay the audience and there's excitement in the crowd, there's no better feeling."

Like Charleston native and country crooner Darius Rucker, Cooper is extra passionate about golf. "Years ago I played in a Bob Hope charity classic and my foursome was Darius, Justin Timberlake, and the legendary Nick Faldo. I love playing in these celebrities tournaments." He plays on the road as well. "I'm sponsored by Calloway, so they set up my tee times, which allows me to play on some of the best courses in the country."

Perhaps due to his iconic personality, Cooper has been immortalized in pop culture whether in movies like 'Wayne's World', TV shows like 'The Simpsons' or even in comic book form. He's appreciates the attention but takes it all in stride. "I do things I think I can do well. I don't take myself to seriously. I play a character. Alice Cooper the character has been embraced by pop culture and honestly I'm humbled and proud at the same time."

Five decades into a historic entertainment career Cooper admits he' having the time of his life. "It's been an unprecedented run. Having longevity in the music industry isn't easy. If I wasn't presenting what I do the way I do it, I'm not sure I would have the following I have. I love to tour. I enjoy playing live. I've got an awesome fan base." Adding, "I have a great family. I am truly blessed."

He goes on to say. "I have the coolest band, and when we're not touring I get to perform in Hollywood Vampires with Johnny Depp and Joe Perry (Aerosmith), and Tommy Henriksen (Alice's band). Were touring in Europe later this year." Former touring musicians include cats that have played in Guns N' Roses, Motley Crue, Stone Temple Pilots, or in Ozzy's band. "I surround myself with the best players." 

Regarding his health "I'm in the best shape of my life. I play golf five or six days a week." Cooper used to play golf with legendary country superstar Glen Campbell. The two were neighbors in Cooper's Arizona community. Occasionally he still tees it up with fellow rockers. "You'd be surprise how many musicians have found golf and are really good. I play with Adrian Young of No Doubt, and Dweezil Zappa is pretty good at the game."

Embarking on a solo tour this spring, Cooper will join Motley Crue and Def Leppard as a special guest during some summer stadium shows, following that up with the co-headlining 'Freaks on Parade' tour with Rob Zombie in the fall. "2023 is shaping up to be busy. But I love it, and I love performing live. Great to be back out on the road." For more on his tour schedule visit https://alicecooper.com/

75 years young, 40 years sober, Alice Cooper, a 2011 Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame inductee sees no reason to slow down. "I'm a theatrical performer. My songs have stood the test of time. God willing I'm going to keep at this for several more years." Alice appears to have health and longevity right due to having all the F's in order, i.e. faith, family, friends, fans, fun, and the freak-show. Kudos to him.

One of pioneers of shock rock and undeniably their reigning king will bring his 'To Close For Comfort' tour to the North Charleston Performing Arts Center on Monday May 15th. "I've definitely enjoyed playing Charleston over the years and look forward to returning. Plus there are some really good golf courses there." For more on the show visit https://www.northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com/events/detail/alice-cooper-1