Article Database

Alice Cooper: Master of Macabre

The pathway leads past a manicured lawn, around an incline sheltered by blooming bougainvillea — to an attractive wood framed house on the edge of a Hollywood hilltop.

This is the home of America's master of mayhem and the macabre, Alice Cooper.

Inside is a figure relaxing on a floral-patterned couch, dressed in pressed blue jeans and immaculate white T-shirt, the Freak Folk Hero herself. Stretched out beside him is steady gal, Cincy — the model who's found fame as Revlon's Charlie Girl. Curled up at his feet is Asta, a black and white dog of indeterminable origin, who chews contentedly on the laces of his master's tennis shoes.

Away from the crowds, in the privacy of his home, the theatrical affections are stored away. The boa constrictor, the mascara and outrageous outfits that mark his on-stage appearance are out of sight.

And the fellow named Alice talks earnestly between sips from the ever-present can of beer, about life these last three years — since he rose from obscurity to the position of Shock Rock King.

Piles of packing cases and new wood are signs of the remodeling under way in the home Cooper purchased last summer. Also in evidence are stacks of packed suitcases — evidence of Alice's imminent departure on a 59-concert tour.

He's smiling and has every reason to be.

He's come a long way since leaving college in Phoenix with his group for Hollywood, where, according to his biography: "Alice spent two years, sleeping in a coffin, living in motels and mansions, inexplicably dressing in women's clothing and wearing make-up while other glitter rockers were still in grade schools."

Later, there was a move back to Detroit, where he had been born in 1948. And then, it was 1971 and his hit recording of "I'm 18."

Now — some six gold and three platinum albums later — he's waiting for the April 25 airing of his first television spectacular, "Welcome to My Nightmare" on ABC's "Wide World: In Concert." The show bears the same title as his latest LP and his elaborate touring stage production.

Of the songs composed for the production, "Steven" is a glimpse into the mind of Alice's newest psychotic boy-man; "Black Widow" is an enchantingly hideous production enriched by the voice of film star Vincent Price.

Rock concert audiences are dwindling and he says he can understand why.

"If I was a kid, I'd go to very few concerts. Prices have gone sky high, and usually the entertainment just isn't worth the money. Entertainers are going to have to learn that it takes more to draw a crowd today then merely going out on a stage and playing some hit tunes. You've got to give people a real show for their money."

His show will include four female singers attired as black widow spiders, a band dressed in Dr. Denton costumes, and special covers designed for the amp equipment to convert them into gigantic baby blocks on stage.

"We have done everything to maintain the illusion of magic to get the crowd emotionally involved with what is going to look like a scene from a surrealistic nightmare," he says.

Alice's "Nightmare" will be unleashed on audiences in 45 American cities during June and July — with three large moving vans transporting the elaborate sound equipment and stage sets. In August, he leaves with the show for another two and a half months of Latin American and European appearances.

He says that everyone he meets expects him to be the same sort of freak up close as he appears on the stage. "They're ready to face some kind of monster, and it's hard to make people realize it's just an image I've developed for the sake of career."

That image has brought him far afield from the role of a Phoenix high school track star, school clown, and journalist. He's now looking toward expanded professional horizons &mdsah; that include both acting and producing motion pictures.

"Ever since I read 'Catcher in the Rye' at age 17, I've dreamed of playing the lead role. And I'd love to produce a movie starring Martha Milchell. She's already gotten so much publicity that it would have to be a hit, and I would have to end up making a fortune from it."

Especially if he had Martha make her theatrical debut with a boa constrictor draped around her neck. After all, it worked for Alice.

(Kindly provided by Hunter Goatley)