Alice Cooper

Unknown Soldier · 09-10-2012, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Screen13

I can relate to that. I was only a kid when Cooper was one of the strongest live attractions around.

The DVD of It's Good to See You Again, Alice Cooper thankfully has an Extra option to play only the concert segments, all from the Billion Dollar Babies tour. Skipping the cheesy Humor (although the opening of Alice crooning "THe Lady is a Tramp" brings a few chuckles), the film includes some proof that they were a classic show to see. True, it's not as cool as watching it live, but it gives a good idea.

I first ever saw Alice Cooper on an "Elvira Mistress of the Night" halloween special that was shown here. It featured a real mix of bands from the Doors, Joy Division, Toto, Devo, the Clash and Alice Cooper etc. The Alice Cooper track that was played was from Welcome to My Nightmare still my favourite all time album of his. The track that was featured was this and the video had him waking up in a coffin and then creeping around the basement, needless to say both the song and video hooked me. I still find him one of the most amazing personalities to ever grace rock. My only regret is that I never saw him live back in the 80s or 90s.

The Awakening - Alice Cooper - YouTube

smolanski · 10-13-2012, 05:04 PM

my dad just introduced me the album "easy action"
and I must admit this album is great, brilliant

so diffrent from his latest music

neardeathexperience · 01-31-2013, 07:18 AM

A career that stretches decades right from the time he came to the attention of the record buying public with his band's I'm Eighteen song right up to his last Welcome To My Nightmare 2 Alice has delivered some stunning songs. So is he one of the best singers of hard rock ever? The list goes on forever of the songs that highlight his singing talents.

Maru-chan · 01-31-2013, 07:48 AM

He's definitely one of the best frontmen ever. He knows how to make the show go on. Even now. He's guest-hosted an episode of Never Mind the Buzzcocks, and it's one of the best episodes in that show's entire existence.

Only thing I'm not clear on is whether it's his frontman talents that the songs highlight, or his singing specifically. He sings well, but there are better voices in the business, aren't there?

GoreFang · 01-31-2013, 07:49 AM

cooper is epic, but not hard rock. More shock rock, grandfather to manson, gwar etc.

neardeathexperience · 01-31-2013, 08:56 PM

Please post ur views on Alice Cooper, but also give a reason!
Dont just say "oh, he's crap!" or "he's ace" coz that is hardly an opinion!

Thanx

[/QUOTE]

Sadly you were born about 35 years too late. As a person who has seen Alice Cooper 15 times I feel it my obligation as a lifer to tell you a bit about my concert experiences.
First off I would like to say Love It To Death got me hooked on Alice. He was well unique and their band kicked ass and just when I thought it could not get any better they brought out Killer a even better more hard rock sounding album. Well me and my friends lapped that up for months and then Schools Out arrived. It took my off guard with the horns and instrumental parts and the back ground fight effects. It all became crystal clear on Labour day.
What a cruel trick the ALICE COOPER TOUR stops by a day prior to school returning. The show started with a band called Ten Years After a British band followed by an American band called Grand Funk. Wow that was exciting and finally as dark set in Alice took the stage! Yes he brought the live snake along and sang a few songs off Killer and Love It To Death but my God the Schools Out songs were a stunning backdrop to the show he put on. Complete with a street fight etc. The show ended in true Cooper style top hat and cane breaking huge balloons filled with confetti.....That was the first time I saw him.

Part 2 Billion Dollar Babies twice! Yes I was totally hooked. Those white satin suits and Neils huge sequin drum set was breath taking. Along with Alice and those thigh high boots! Yes once again this was a full out stage show. Right from him chasing a tooth around the stage while carrying a 6ft tooth brush to him getting his teeth drilled out. It was bigger and better then his School's Out show and when leaving you knew he gave you every pennies worth that you spent to see him.
The next show we saw was a strange one because the transport trucks got stuck in a snow storm so the guys decorated the stage with a Christmas tree and presents. The band was dressed in Sailor suits and it was the band's Muscle Of Love Tour! Are seats were actually behind the stage to the side and we had brought one of those long rubber chickens that you could buy at a Stag Shop and I threw it on stage and Alice picked it up looked at it and then kicked it across the stage ( a true story) The songs were all there and it was once again a classic Cooper evening.

The next show was perhaps one of the most anticipated tours that year. Alice Cooper's Welcome To My Nightmare! The stage props were unbelievable. Alice wore his red outfit and pranced about the stage. It was a real stage show complete with dancers, monsters and huge spiders! This was a BIG DEAL the blending of Alice Cooper's music and stage actors. The Cold Ethel song was crazy as Alice pulled the dummy out of the fridge and danced about with her! I saw the show twice and the second night I stood at the front of the stage and you could see the stubble on Alice's face we were so close.
Yet another night of your monies worth!

So you get the general idea. Other shows attended included I think Alice Cooper Goes To Hell (can't remember ) Then there was Whiskey And Lace, From The Inside Out, Constrictor, Special Forces, Temptation, Alice Cooper with Scorpions, Psycho, and so on.....
I would like to close by stating Alice Cooper puts on one of the best shows that I have ever seen and I have seen about 400 concerts! He is the ultimate showman showing you a sad, pathetic character, followed by a dangerous killer, lover, prankster, cool guy, the beauty of Alice is he keeps you guessing right till the lights come back on......

Screen13 · 02-04-2013, 08:04 PM

Just wanted to share a couple of my favorites from Dada, just as a taster and an introduction to those who have not heard it yet (I'm sure that the ends of the Youtubes will point to more Dada songs). "Pass the Gun Around", the excellent closer, still remains one of my favorite Cooper songs. Killer guitar solo by Dick Wagner!

Dada still remains one of the under-valued albums that deserves to be heard. It's a pretty dark ride, and something that sits well with his classics.

I missed out on buying the album for a long time, but getting it recently brought back a memory of spotting the cover at a K Mart, although I was not of the age to buy albums on my own and I knew that Alice was not a favorite of my parents (I could imagine them yelling "put it back!" if I would have picked Zipper Catches Skin for them to buy for me in a manner reminiscent of me asking them to get Isaac Hayes' Tough Guys album!). It was seriously worth the long wait!

neardeathexperience · 02-06-2013, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Screen13

Just wanted to share a couple of my favorites from Dada, just as a taster and an introduction to those who have not heard it yet (I'm sure that the ends of the Youtubes will point to more Dada songs). "Pass the Gun Around", the excellent closer, still remains one of my favorite Cooper songs. Killer guitar solo by Dick Wagner!

Dada still remains one of the under-valued albums that deserves to be heard. It's a pretty dark ride, and something that sits well with his classics.

I missed out on buying the album for a long time, but getting it recently brought back a memory of spotting the cover at a K Mart, although I was not of the age to buy albums on my own and I knew that Alice was not a favorite of my parents (I could imagine them yelling "put it back!" if I would have picked Zipper Catches Skin for them to buy for me in a manner reminiscent of me asking them to get Isaac Hayes' Tough Guys album!). It was seriously worth the long wait!

I liked it even though it was a vast departure from the past songs Alice gave us. Like everything else it was chalked up to a listening experience seen through the eyes of Alice Cooper.........

Unknown Soldier · 02-07-2013, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Screen13

Just wanted to share a couple of my favorites from Dada, just as a taster and an introduction to those who have not heard it yet (I'm sure that the ends of the Youtubes will point to more Dada songs). "Pass the Gun Around", the excellent closer, still remains one of my favorite Cooper songs. Killer guitar solo by Dick Wagner!

Dada still remains one of the under-valued albums that deserves to be heard. It's a pretty dark ride, and something that sits well with his classics.

I missed out on buying the album for a long time, but getting it recently brought back a memory of spotting the cover at a K Mart, although I was not of the age to buy albums on my own and I knew that Alice was not a favorite of my parents (I could imagine them yelling "put it back!" if I would have picked Zipper Catches Skin for them to buy for me in a manner reminiscent of me asking them to get Isaac Hayes' Tough Guys album!). It was seriously worth the long wait!

Totally agree about Dada and bought it on vinyl when it first came out and it has always been one of my favourite AC albums. Around the time of its release, AC had long since been resigned to the nostalgic bin and was at the end of the road commercially. That would of course change just a few years later with the release of Constrictor but of course that album couldn't match Dada in terms of quality. You've probably highligthed two of the best songs on that album, but I'll also add the below songs. And of course let us not forget just how fantastic his lyrics were around this time and his vocal delivery must be amongst the coolest deliveries in the history of rock. On my music journal I've just reviewed Billion Dollar Babies

http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ml#post1283281

neardeathexperience · 02-17-2013, 06:08 PM

I'm trying to enjoy the Welcome To My Nightmare 2, but to be honest I don't see much here to like. Am I missing something?

01-31-2013, 07:18 AM	#73 (permalink)
neardeathexperience Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 531	Is Alice Cooper One Of The Best Hard Rock Singers Ever A career that stretches decades right from the time he came to the attention of the record buying public with his band's I'm Eighteen song right up to his last Welcome To My Nightmare 2 Alice has delivered some stunning songs. So is he one of the best singers of hard rock ever? The list goes on forever of the songs that highlight his singing talents.

10-13-2012, 05:04 PM	#72 (permalink)
smolanski Groupie Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 23	my dad just introduced me the album "easy action" and I must admit this album is great, brilliant so diffrent from his latest music

01-31-2013, 07:48 AM	#74 (permalink)
Maru-chan Groupie Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 3	He's definitely one of the best frontmen ever. He knows how to make the show go on. Even now. He's guest-hosted an episode of Never Mind the Buzzcocks, and it's one of the best episodes in that show's entire existence. Only thing I'm not clear on is whether it's his frontman talents that the songs highlight, or his singing specifically. He sings well, but there are better voices in the business, aren't there?

01-31-2013, 07:49 AM	#75 (permalink)
GoreFang Groupie Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 6	cooper is epic, but not hard rock. More shock rock, grandfather to manson, gwar etc.

01-31-2013, 08:56 PM	#76 (permalink)
neardeathexperience Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 531	Please post ur views on Alice Cooper, but also give a reason! Dont just say "oh, he's crap!" or "he's ace" coz that is hardly an opinion! Thanx [/QUOTE] Sadly you were born about 35 years too late. As a person who has seen Alice Cooper 15 times I feel it my obligation as a lifer to tell you a bit about my concert experiences. First off I would like to say Love It To Death got me hooked on Alice. He was well unique and their band kicked ass and just when I thought it could not get any better they brought out Killer a even better more hard rock sounding album. Well me and my friends lapped that up for months and then Schools Out arrived. It took my off guard with the horns and instrumental parts and the back ground fight effects. It all became crystal clear on Labour day. What a cruel trick the ALICE COOPER TOUR stops by a day prior to school returning. The show started with a band called Ten Years After a British band followed by an American band called Grand Funk. Wow that was exciting and finally as dark set in Alice took the stage! Yes he brought the live snake along and sang a few songs off Killer and Love It To Death but my God the Schools Out songs were a stunning backdrop to the show he put on. Complete with a street fight etc. The show ended in true Cooper style top hat and cane breaking huge balloons filled with confetti.....That was the first time I saw him. Part 2 Billion Dollar Babies twice! Yes I was totally hooked. Those white satin suits and Neils huge sequin drum set was breath taking. Along with Alice and those thigh high boots! Yes once again this was a full out stage show. Right from him chasing a tooth around the stage while carrying a 6ft tooth brush to him getting his teeth drilled out. It was bigger and better then his School's Out show and when leaving you knew he gave you every pennies worth that you spent to see him. The next show we saw was a strange one because the transport trucks got stuck in a snow storm so the guys decorated the stage with a Christmas tree and presents. The band was dressed in Sailor suits and it was the band's Muscle Of Love Tour! Are seats were actually behind the stage to the side and we had brought one of those long rubber chickens that you could buy at a Stag Shop and I threw it on stage and Alice picked it up looked at it and then kicked it across the stage ( a true story) The songs were all there and it was once again a classic Cooper evening. The next show was perhaps one of the most anticipated tours that year. Alice Cooper's Welcome To My Nightmare! The stage props were unbelievable. Alice wore his red outfit and pranced about the stage. It was a real stage show complete with dancers, monsters and huge spiders! This was a BIG DEAL the blending of Alice Cooper's music and stage actors. The Cold Ethel song was crazy as Alice pulled the dummy out of the fridge and danced about with her! I saw the show twice and the second night I stood at the front of the stage and you could see the stubble on Alice's face we were so close. Yet another night of your monies worth! So you get the general idea. Other shows attended included I think Alice Cooper Goes To Hell (can't remember ) Then there was Whiskey And Lace, From The Inside Out, Constrictor, Special Forces, Temptation, Alice Cooper with Scorpions, Psycho, and so on..... I would like to close by stating Alice Cooper puts on one of the best shows that I have ever seen and I have seen about 400 concerts! He is the ultimate showman showing you a sad, pathetic character, followed by a dangerous killer, lover, prankster, cool guy, the beauty of Alice is he keeps you guessing right till the lights come back on......

02-04-2013, 08:04 PM	#77 (permalink)
Screen13 Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,388	Just wanted to share a couple of my favorites from Dada, just as a taster and an introduction to those who have not heard it yet (I'm sure that the ends of the Youtubes will point to more Dada songs). "Pass the Gun Around", the excellent closer, still remains one of my favorite Cooper songs. Killer guitar solo by Dick Wagner! Dada still remains one of the under-valued albums that deserves to be heard. It's a pretty dark ride, and something that sits well with his classics. I missed out on buying the album for a long time, but getting it recently brought back a memory of spotting the cover at a K Mart, although I was not of the age to buy albums on my own and I knew that Alice was not a favorite of my parents (I could imagine them yelling "put it back!" if I would have picked Zipper Catches Skin for them to buy for me in a manner reminiscent of me asking them to get Isaac Hayes' Tough Guys album!). It was seriously worth the long wait!

02-17-2013, 06:08 PM	#80 (permalink)
neardeathexperience Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 531	I'm trying to enjoy the Welcome To My Nightmare 2, but to be honest I don't see much here to like. Am I missing something?