Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Alice Cooper
How Alice Cooper built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Alice Cooper is an American singer and songwriter, celebrated for his distinctive raspy voice and pioneering role in "shock rock." With a career spanning over five decades, Cooper's theatrical stage shows, filled with macabre props and illusions, have become his trademark. He is often credited as "The Godfather of Shock Rock" for blending horror film elements, vaudeville, and garage rock to create a uniquely shocking and theatrical brand of rock music.
1964: Formation of The Earwigs
In 1964, 16-year-old Vincent Furnier formed The Earwigs with fellow cross country teammates for a talent show, marking the beginning of his musical career.
1964: Alice Cooper Band Formation
In 1964, the band Alice Cooper initially formed in Phoenix, Arizona, with Vincent Furnier, Glen Buxton, Michael Bruce, Dennis Dunaway, and Neal Smith as members.
1966: Release of "Don't Blow Your Mind"
In 1966, after Michael Bruce joined the band, The Spiders released their second single, "Don't Blow Your Mind," which became a local hit.
1967: Renamed to Nazz and Relocation to Los Angeles
By 1967, the band, then known as the Spiders, began making regular road trips to Los Angeles and then renamed themselves Nazz. They relocated to Los Angeles by the end of the year after releasing the single "Wonder Who's Lovin' Her Now".
1968: Seeing Arthur Brown perform Fire
In 1968, Alice Cooper saw shock rock pioneer Arthur Brown performing his US hit "Fire", which Cooper said was like all his Halloweens coming at once.
1968: Name Change to Alice Cooper
In 1968, the band learned about another band named Nazz and decided to change their name to Alice Cooper. Vincent Furnier believed they needed a gimmick to succeed.
1971: Successful Tour and New Contract
In 1971, Alice Cooper's successful tour, featuring a theatrical stage show and glam rock costumes, led to a new multi-album contract with Warner Bros.
1972: Release of "Elected"
In 1972, Alice Cooper released "Elected" which became a Top 10 hit in the UK. The song inspired one of the first MTV-style promo videos ever made for a song.
February 1973: Release of Billion Dollar Babies
In February 1973, Alice Cooper's album Billion Dollar Babies was released worldwide. It became the band's most commercially successful studio album, reaching No. 1 in both the US and UK.
1973: Alice Cooper's concert footage
Alice Cooper's 1973 concert footage was used in the band's 1974 feature film 'Good to See You Again, Alice Cooper'.
1973: Release of Muscle of Love
At the end of 1973, Alice Cooper released Muscle of Love, which was the last studio album from the classic lineup, and included the song "Teenage Lament '74", Alice Cooper's last UK Top 20 single of the 1970s.
1973: Alice Cooper's US tour broke box office records
In 1973, Alice Cooper's US tour broke box office records previously set by the Rolling Stones, raising rock theatrics to new heights with special effects like Billion Dollar Bills, baby dolls, and a guillotine designed by magician James Randi.
1973: Generation Landslide rerecorded
The track 'Generation Landslide' from Billion Dollar Babies (1973) was rerecorded on Special Forces album.
March 5, 1974: Alice Cooper appeared on The Snoop Sisters
On March 5, 1974, Alice Cooper appeared on episode 3 of The Snoop Sisters playing a Satanic cult singer.
April 1974: Final shows by Alice Cooper as a group
In March and April 1974, Alice Cooper performed the final shows as a group in Brazil, including a record indoor attendance estimated as high as 158,000 fans in São Paulo on March 30.
1974: Previous South America Tour
In 1974 Alice Cooper last toured South America, before touring again in 1996.
April 1975: The Nightmare TV Special Airs
In April 1975, the television special Alice Cooper: The Nightmare, starring Cooper and Vincent Price, aired on US prime-time TV.
September 1975: Filming of Welcome to My Nightmare Concert Film
In September 1975, the concert film Welcome to My Nightmare was filmed live at London's Wembley Arena.
1975: The Nightmare home video release
Alice Cooper's 1975 TV Special, The Nightmare, was released on home video in the fall of 1983.
1975: Alice Cooper returns as solo artist
In 1975, Alice Cooper returned as a solo artist with the release of Welcome to My Nightmare. To avoid legal complications over ownership of the group name, "Alice Cooper" had by then become Furnier's new legal name.
1975: Sheryl Goddard performs in Alice Cooper Show
In 1975, Sheryl Goddard began performing in the Alice Cooper show.
1975: Band Disbands; Furnier Changes Name
In 1975, the original Alice Cooper band disbanded, and Vincent Furnier legally changed his name to Alice Cooper. He also launched a solo career with the concept album "Welcome to My Nightmare".
1976: Release of "I Never Cry"
In 1976, Alice Cooper released "I Never Cry", which became a US No. 12 ballad hit.
1976: Cooper's Autobiography "Me, Alice" Released
In 1976, Alice Cooper's autobiography with Steven Gaines, called Me, Alice, was released, giving Cooper's version of that era of his career, among other things.
1976: Release of Welcome to My Nightmare concert film
In 1976, the concert film Welcome to My Nightmare was released to theaters.
1977: Billion Dollar Babies release 'Battle Axe'
In 1977, Bruce, Dunaway, and Smith formed the band Billion Dollar Babies and released one studio album, Battle Axe.
March 28, 1978: Alice Cooper on The Muppet Show
On March 28, 1978, Alice Cooper appeared on The Muppet Show, episode #307, playing one of the devil's henchmen.
October 1979: Marvel comic book feature
In October 1979, Alice Cooper was featured in Marvel Premiere, Volume 1, Number 50, which loosely adapted his From the Inside studio album.
1979: Makeup
In 1979, Alice Cooper last wore his black snake-eyes makeup before donning it again for Twisted Sister's music video "Be Chrool to Your Scuel" in 1985.
1979: Release of The Strange Case of Alice Cooper
In 1979, Alice Cooper's stage show from the From the Inside tour was filmed for Cooper's first home-video release, The Strange Case of Alice Cooper.
1980: Release of Flush the Fashion
In 1980, Alice Cooper released Flush the Fashion, produced by Roy Thomas Baker, which had a new wave sound and included the US Top 40 hit "Clones (We're All)".
1981: Special Forces Project
In 1981 Alice Cooper started the Special Forces project, after which he took a break from touring, until the Constrictor album in 1986.
1981: Release of Special Forces
In 1981, Alice Cooper released Special Forces, which featured a more aggressive new wave style and a new version of "Generation Landslide" from Billion Dollar Babies (1973).
1982: Sheryl Goddard's last year performing in Alice Cooper Show
1982 was Sheryl Goddard's last year performing in the Alice Cooper show.
1982: Release of Zipper Catches Skin
In 1982, Alice Cooper released Zipper Catches Skin, a more pop punk-oriented recording with quirky, high-energy songs.
1983: Release of DaDa
In 1983 Alice Cooper released the concept album DaDa.
February 1984: Cooper Becomes a Free Agent
By February 1984, Alice Cooper became a "free agent" for the first time in his career after his contract with Warner Bros. ended.
1985: Collaboration with Kane Roberts and MCA Records
In 1985, Alice Cooper met guitarist Kane Roberts and began writing songs with him. Cooper was subsequently signed to MCA Records and was featured as a guest vocalist on Twisted Sister's song "Be Chrool to Your Scuel".
1986: Constrictor Recorded
In 1986 Alice Cooper recorded the album "Constrictor" with lead guitarist Kane Roberts and bassist Kip Winger.
1986: Megadeth opens for Cooper
In 1986, the thrash metal band Megadeth opened for Alice Cooper on his US Constrictor tour. Cooper noticed their substance abuse and offered help to get clean.
1987: Raise Your Fist and Yell Recorded
In 1987 Alice Cooper recorded the album "Raise Your Fist and Yell" with lead guitarist Kane Roberts and bassist Kip Winger.
1987: WrestleMania III Appearance
In 1987, Alice Cooper appeared at WrestleMania III, escorting wrestler Jake 'The Snake' Roberts to the ring and later throwing Jake's snake Damien at Jimmy Hart. WrestleMania III attracted a WWF record of 93,173 fans.
1987: Appearance in Prince of Darkness
In 1987, Alice Cooper made a cameo appearance as a vagrant in John Carpenter's supernatural horror film, 'Prince of Darkness'.
1988: Roberts and Winger Leave Band
By the end of 1988, Kane Roberts and Kip Winger had both left Alice Cooper's band.
1988: Music Video for 'I Got a Line on You'
In 1988, Alice Cooper recorded a music video for the 'Poison' B-side 'I Got a Line on You' after the song was featured on the soundtrack to Iron Eagle II.
1988: Signs with Epic Records
In 1988, Alice Cooper's contract with MCA Records expired, and he signed with Epic Records.
1989: Release of Trash Album
In 1989, Alice Cooper experienced a career revival with the release of the Desmond Child-produced and Grammy-nominated studio album, Trash, on Epic Records, which included the hit single 'Poison'.
1991: Guest Appearances
During the early 1990s, Alice Cooper guested on records by successful bands of the time, such as Guns N' Roses album Use Your Illusion I in 1991, on which he sang with Axl Rose on the track 'The Garden'. He also appeared as the abusive stepfather of Freddy Krueger in the film Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare in 1991.
1991: Release of Hey Stoopid Album and Prime Cuts Video
In 1991, Alice Cooper released his nineteenth studio album, Hey Stoopid, and the video Alice Cooper: Prime Cuts, which chronicled his career.
1992: Cameo in Wayne's World
In 1992, Alice Cooper made a cameo appearance in the comedy film Wayne's World, performing "Feed My Frankenstein" and discussing the history of Milwaukee.
1992: Wayne's World Cameo
In 1992, Alice Cooper's cameo in Wayne's World popularized the "We're not worthy" meme.
1994: Release of The Last Temptation
In 1994 Alice Coopers released his The Last Temptation album.
1995: Start of Solid Rock Foundation
In 1995, Alice Cooper and his wife Sheryl started the Solid Rock Foundation.
1996: South American Tour and Herod Role
In 1996, Alice Cooper toured South America, a region he hadn't visited since 1974, and sang the role of Herod on the London cast recording of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar.
1997: A Fistful of Alice Album Release
In 1997, Alice Cooper released the live album A Fistful of Alice and lent his voice to the intro track of Insane Clown Posse's The Great Milenko.
1999: Release of The Life and Crimes of Alice Cooper
In 1999, The Life and Crimes of Alice Cooper, a four-disc box set that contained the biography Alcohol and Razor Blades, Poison and Needles: The Glorious Wretched Excess of Alice Cooper, All-American, written by Jeffrey Morgan, was released.
2001: That '70s Show Appearance
In 2001, Alice Cooper made a guest appearance on a third-season episode of That '70s Show titled 'Radio Daze', where he played Dungeons & Dragons.
2001: Release of Dragontown
In 2001, Alice Cooper released the album Dragontown, a sequel to Brutal Planet, produced by Bob Ezrin.
2003: Release of The Eyes of Alice Cooper
In 2003, Alice Cooper released the critically acclaimed album The Eyes of Alice Cooper, adopting a leaner, cleaner sound and working with younger musicians. He also started the Bare Bones tour with a less-orchestrated performance style.
January 26, 2004: Nights with Alice Cooper Radio Show Debut
On January 26, 2004, Alice Cooper's radio show, Nights with Alice Cooper, began airing in several US cities.
September 2004: Bongo Comics Contribution
In September 2004, Alice Cooper contributed a storyline to the September 2004 edition of Bongo Comics's Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror.
2004: Radio Disc Jockey Career Begins
Since 2004, Alice Cooper has been a radio disc jockey with his classic rock show, "Alice's Attic", adding another facet to his multifaceted career.
July 2005: June-July 2005 tour
Alice Cooper had a June-July 2005 tour. Cooper commented on Mick Jagger's longevity and expressed his own determination to continue performing.
August 2005: Dirty Diamonds American Tour Launch
In August 2005, Alice Cooper launched the Dirty Diamonds tour in America after several European concerts, following the release of the album of the same name.
December 2006: Original Band Reunion at Christmas Pudding
In December 2006, the original Alice Cooper band reunited to perform six classic Alice Cooper songs at Cooper's annual charity event in Phoenix, entitled 'Christmas Pudding'.
2006: Alice Cooper: Live at Montreux 2005 DVD Release
In 2006, the DVD Alice Cooper: Live at Montreux 2005, featuring Alice Cooper and his band including Kiss drummer Eric Singer, filmed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland on July 12, 2005, was released.
May 22, 2007: Affirmation of Beatles' influence
During an interview with Ozzy Osbourne on May 22, 2007, for the radio program Nights with Alice Cooper, Alice Cooper reaffirmed his gratitude to bands like the Beatles, lamenting the songwriting quality of contemporary rock artists and suggesting they had "forgotten to listen to the Beatles".
July 1, 2007: Duet with Marilyn Manson
On July 1, 2007, Alice Cooper performed a duet with Marilyn Manson at the B'Estival event in Bucharest, Romania.
January 2008: Guest singer on Avantasia's album
In January 2008, Alice Cooper appeared as a guest singer on Avantasia's third studio album, The Scarecrow, performing the seventh track, "The Toy Master".
July 2008: Release of 'Along Came a Spider'
In July 2008, Alice Cooper released his eighteenth solo studio album, Along Came a Spider, after delays. The album became his highest-charting since 1991's Hey Stoopid, reaching No. 53 in the US and No. 31 in the UK.
2008: Stevie Ray Vaughan Award
In 2008, Alice Cooper received the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award at the MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert in Los Angeles for his work in helping other addicts recover.
November 2009: Theatre of Death Tour
In November 2009, The Times described Cooper's Theatre of Death tour (supporting Along Came a Spider) as "epic" and noted its extensive use of fake blood.
January 2010: The Gruesome Twosome Tour announcement
In January 2010, Alice Cooper announced that he would be touring with Rob Zombie on The Gruesome Twosome Tour.
May 2010: Appearance on American Idol finale
In May 2010, Alice Cooper appeared during the season finale of American Idol, performing "School's Out".
2010: Working on Welcome 2 My Nightmare album
In 2010, Alice Cooper began working on Welcome 2 My Nightmare, a sequel to his 1975 album, with the intention of including original and new collaborators and working with Bob Ezrin again.
2010: Scoring music for Silas Gore
In 2010, Alice Cooper, along with his daughter and former band member Dick Wagner, scored the music for the indie horror film Silas Gore.
March 10, 2011: Benefit concert in Tucson
On March 10, 2011, Alice Cooper, along with other artists, performed at a benefit concert in Tucson, Arizona, for The Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding.
June 9, 2011: Kerrang! Icon Award
On June 9, 2011, Alice Cooper received the Kerrang! Icon Award at Kerrang! magazine's annual awards show. He criticized the state of rock music and affirmed his commitment to the industry.
July 21, 2012: Supporting Iron Maiden on tour
From June to July 21, 2012, Alice Cooper supported Iron Maiden on their Maiden England World Tour.
September 16, 2012: Sunflower Jam charity concert
On September 16, 2012, Alice Cooper performed at the Sunflower Jam charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London, alongside musicians from Queen, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Iron Maiden.
2012: Cameo in Dark Shadows
In 2012, Alice Cooper made a cameo appearance as himself in Tim Burton's film adaptation of Dark Shadows, where Johnny Depp's character described him as the ugliest woman he had ever seen.
2012: Opening of First Teen Center
In 2012, the first of several Solid Rock Foundation teen centers opened in Phoenix, Arizona.
2013: Recording a covers album
In 2013, Alice Cooper finished recording a covers album dedicated to his deceased rock star drinking buddies from the 1970s, planned for release in 2014 but later pushed to 2015.
January 28, 2014: Opening act for Mötley Crüe's final tour
On January 28, 2014, it was revealed that Alice Cooper would be the opening act for Mötley Crüe's final tour, which spanned 2014 and 2015.
2015: Hollywood Vampires debut
In 2015, Alice Cooper premiered Hollywood Vampires, a supergroup featuring Johnny Depp and Joe Perry. They released a new studio album of rock covers and performed live at L.A.'s Roxy Theatre and Brazil's Rock in Rio festival in September.
2015: Release of live album and video Raise the Dead: Live from Wacken
In October 2015, Alice Cooper released the live album and video, Raise the Dead: Live from Wacken, recorded at Germany's Wacken heavy metal festival the previous year.
2016: Resuming campaign for US presidency
In 2016, Alice Cooper resumed his running gag of campaigning for the US presidency.
July 2017: Release of 'Paranormal' album
In July 2017, Alice Cooper released his twentieth solo studio album Paranormal, featuring contributions from musicians from U2, ZZ Top, and Deep Purple.
September 2017: Co-headlining tour
From August to early September 2017, Alice Cooper co-headlined a tour with Deep Purple and Edgar Winter.
2017: Collaboration on 'Paranormal' Album and Tour Dates
In 2017, Bruce, Dunaway, and Smith appeared on two tracks they co-wrote on Alice's solo studio album Paranormal, released in July, and in November they joined his current live band for five tour dates in the United Kingdom.
2018: Alice Cooper's Nightmare Castle Pinball Release
In 2018, Alice Cooper contributed his likeness and voice lines to 'Alice Cooper's Nightmare Castle', a pinball machine released by Spooky Pinball, featuring ten of his songs. Limited to 500 machines.
2018: Performance in Jesus Christ Superstar Live
In 2018, on Easter Sunday, Alice Cooper performed as Herod in NBC's live performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert. His performance was well-received.
February 26, 2021: Release of Detroit Stories album
On February 26, 2021, Alice Cooper released his twenty-first solo studio album, Detroit Stories.
June 28, 2021: Afterword to Jeffrey Morgan's autobiography
On June 28, 2021, Alice Cooper wrote the afterword to Jeffrey Morgan's autobiography Rock Critic Confidential, which was published by New Haven.
September 2021: Fall tour to promote Detroit Stories
In September 2021, Alice Cooper's fall tour, supported by Ace Frehley, began to promote the Detroit Stories album.
2021: Opening of Mesa Teen Center
In 2021, the Solid Rock Foundation opened another teen center in Mesa, Arizona.
April 2022: Judge on music competition show No Cover
In April 2022, Alice Cooper participated as a judge on the music competition television show No Cover season 1, which began airing on the Sumerian Records YouTube Channel.
July 11, 2022: Nita Strauss departure
On July 11, 2022, touring guitarist Nita Strauss announced her departure from Alice Cooper's band.
March 6, 2023: Nita Strauss rejoins the band
On March 6, 2023, it was announced that Nita Strauss had rejoined Alice Cooper's band.
August 24, 2023: Freaks on Parade tour start
On August 24, 2023, Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie began the Freaks on Parade tour, with Filter and Ministry as opening acts. The tour spanned a month, visiting 19 venues across the United States and Canada.
August 25, 2023: Release of Road album
On August 25, 2023, Alice Cooper's twenty-second studio album, Road, was released.
September 24, 2023: Freaks on Parade tour end
On September 24, 2023, the Freaks on Parade tour co-headlined by Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie, with Filter and Ministry as opening acts, concluded after visiting 19 venues in the United States and Canada.
January 2024: Debut of Alice's Attic radio show
In January 2024, Alice Cooper's newly revamped syndicated radio show, Alice's Attic with Alice Cooper, debuted on over 70 radio stations in the US and worldwide.
April 2025: Reunion for The Revenge of Alice Cooper album
In April 2025, it was announced that Alice Cooper had reunited with Michael Bruce, Dennis Dunaway, and Neal Smith for a new album titled The Revenge of Alice Cooper.
July 25, 2025: Release of The Revenge of Alice Cooper album
On July 25, 2025, The Revenge of Alice Cooper, the first album since 1973's Muscle of Love credited to the Alice Cooper band rather than as a solo album, was released, and also includes never-before-released tracks by their original guitarist Glen Buxton.
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