The World According to Alice Cooper

01/23/2012
. (Gibson) Alice Cooper is the original makeup-ed shock rocker, and there are no substitutions. Taking from heavy metal, vaudeville and symphonic rock, the "School's Out" rocker built his legacy on mixing haunting musical sounds with horrific onstage theatrics � everything from bright red blood to mile-long syringes to electric chairs. The result? The Coop always paints a picture of horror in his concertgoers' minds.

Along the way, Alice Cooper has developed a somehow lovable persona, making him rock's favorite villain to date. In the following choice quotes, Alice talks about hitting rock-bottom during his struggle with substance addiction, touring with fellow horror rocker Rob Zombie, finding a Christian faith and getting inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rock on, Alice!

On finally getting inducted into the Hall of Fame, as told to USA Today in 2011: We were Susan Lucci for quite a long time � or Pete Rose, whichever way you look at it! � I went, 'That's kind of cool. Every year, it's this new outrage.' I was sitting there, going, 'Calm down. Don't worry. Our time will come.'"

On staying excited about music 30-plus years later, as told to Horror Garage: You know, it's funny, 'cause I think that if it's in your blood, you never get tired of it. I'm still a rock 'n' roll fan. I have a 19-year-old and a 15-year-old, and I'm probably the only dad in the world that bangs on their door and says, 'Turn that up!' If it's good rock 'n' roll, I'm the first one to turn it up. Like anything else: there's great rock 'n' roll, there's crappy rock 'n' roll. And I'm not real prejudiced. As much as I'm not a big rap fan, I love Eminem. I think Eminem is very funny. more on this story

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