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Cooper explosive as Common Ground closes

Well, he's still got it.

Nearly 40 years after the Detroit-born rocker released his first single, Alice Cooper is still going strong.

Cooper, along with the veteran rock group The Tubes, brought the 2004 Common Ground festival to an explosive end Sunday evening on the West Main Stage of Adado Riverfront Park.

After an uncomfortably hot and humid day, the clouds began to roll in as Cooper was about to start his show.

And just as he stepped on stage, a black cloud parked itself high over the venue, and it began to rain.

But nobody moved, unless it was to get closer to the stage. It was almost as if the gloomy weather enhanced the entire experience, almost as if it were planned.

Everyone rose to their feet as soon as Cooper could be seen.

People stood shoulder to shoulder from the very edge of the stage and overflowed into walkways and concession areas.

Cooper, in full makeup and dress, played hit after hit, including "No More Mr. Nice Guy," "I'm Eighteen," "Be My Lover," and "Billion Dollar Babies."

The Tubes, led by frontman Fee Waybill, started the night off on a uniquely high note.

The word "high" refers to the platform shoes Waybill donned as one of his many stage alter-egos, British pop-star Quay Lewd.

Along with the incredibly high shoes, Quay Lewd was adorned with tight silver pants, a silver vest, a pink feather boa, a blonde curly wig and big glasses that read "QUAY."

The Tubes, who originated in Phoenix in the late 1960s, turned out some of their classics, such as "She's a Beauty," "White Punks on Dope" and "TV Is King" from 1978.

With such an amazing show put on by both Cooper and The Tubes, this will be the show to top for next year's festival.