Childhood and Education Journey of Alice Cooper in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Alice Cooper. A timeline of key moments.

Alice Cooper is an American singer and songwriter, renowned for his raspy voice and theatrical stage shows incorporating props and illusions. Spanning seven decades, his career has solidified his reputation as "The Godfather of Shock Rock." Cooper's pioneering blend of horror films, vaudeville, and garage rock has created a macabre and theatrical brand of rock intended to shock and entertain audiences.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1924: Ether Moroni Furnier's Birth

In 1924, Ether Moroni Furnier, the father of Vincent Damon Furnier (Alice Cooper), was born.

1925: Ella Mae McCart's Birth

In 1925, Ella Mae McCart, later Ella Mae Furnier and the mother of Alice Cooper, was born.

February 4, 1948: Vincent Damon Furnier Born

On February 4, 1948, Vincent Damon Furnier, who would later become known as Alice Cooper, was born. He is known for his singing and theatrical stage shows and considered the Godfather of Shock Rock.

1963: Thurman Sylvester Furnier becomes president

From 1963 to 1965, Thurman Sylvester Furnier, paternal grandfather of Vincent Damon Furnier (Alice Cooper), was a leader and later president of The Church of Jesus Christ.

1964: Formation of The Earwigs

In 1964, 16-year-old Vincent Furnier formed a group called The Earwigs with fellow cross country teammates for Cortez High School's talent show, performing parodies of Beatles songs and winning the show.

1965: Thurman Sylvester Furnier's presidency ends

From 1963 to 1965, Thurman Sylvester Furnier, paternal grandfather of Vincent Damon Furnier (Alice Cooper), was a leader and later president of The Church of Jesus Christ.

January 1972: Cooper's Peculiar Name

In January 1972, Alice Cooper told talk show hostess Dinah Shore that he took the name from a "Mayberry RFD" character.

November 5, 1972: Death of Miss Christine

On November 5, 1972, Miss Christine (Christine Frka) of the GTOs, who had been Alice Cooper's girlfriend, died of an overdose.

1972: Satirical Presidential Run

Since the release of his single "Elected" in 1972, Alice Cooper has satirically run for president every four years.

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1973: Salvador Dalí Attends Alice Cooper Show and Creates Hologram

In 1973, artist Salvador Dalí attended an Alice Cooper show, describing it as surreal, and subsequently created a hologram titled First Cylindric Chromo-Hologram Portrait of Alice Cooper's Brain.

November 1974: Billion Dollar Baby book release

In November 1974, Journalist Bob Greene released his book Billion Dollar Baby, which painted a less-than-flattering picture of the band based on his time on the road with them during the Muscle of Love Christmas Tour in 1973.

1975: Solo career begins with Welcome to My Nightmare

In 1975, Alice Cooper returned as a solo artist with the release of Welcome to My Nightmare. To avoid legal complications, Furnier legally changed his name to Alice Cooper. Alice Cooper collaborated with their producer Bob Ezrin, who recruited Lou Reed's backing band, including guitarists Dick Wagner and Steve Hunter, to play on the album.

March 20, 1976: Marriage to Sheryl Goddard

On March 20, 1976, Alice Cooper married Sheryl Goddard, a ballerina instructor and choreographer who performed in his show.

1976: Me, Alice autobiography release

In 1976, Alice Cooper released his autobiography with Steven Gaines called Me, Alice, which gave Cooper's version of that era of his career.

1977: Alcoholism hospitalization

During his 1977 US tour, it became clear that Alice Cooper was in dire need of help with his alcoholism. He was consuming up to two cases of Budweiser beer and a bottle of Seagram's Seven Crown whiskey a day. Following the tour, Cooper had himself hospitalized in a sanitarium for treatment.

October 1979: Marvel Premiere Comic Book Feature

In October 1979, Alice Cooper was featured in the Marvel comic book Marvel Premiere, Volume 1, Number 50, which loosely adapted his From the Inside studio album.

1979: Guest appearance on Lunch with Soupy Sales

In 1979, Alice Cooper guest starred on good friend Soupy Sales' show, Lunch with Soupy Sales and was hit in the face with a pie, as part of the show.

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1983: Hospitalization for alcoholism and cirrhosis

In mid-1983, after the recording of DaDa was completed, Alice Cooper was hospitalized for alcoholism again, and cirrhosis of the liver. He credits his Christian faith for a recovery doctors described as "miraculous".

January 30, 1984: Divorce hearing

On January 30, 1984, Alice Cooper's divorce from Sheryl Cooper was heard at Maricopa County Superior Court, Arizona, but the couple decided not to move forward with the divorce.

February 1984: Becomes a free agent

By February 1984, Alice Cooper became a "free agent" for the first time in his career, as Warner Bros. did not keep Cooper on their books.

April 7, 1988: Near-Fatal Accident

On April 7, 1988, Alice Cooper narrowly escaped death when a safety rope broke during a rehearsal where he simulated hanging himself, a regular stunt in his live performances.

1995: Solid Rock Foundation Founded

In 1995, Alice Cooper and his wife, Sheryl, started the Solid Rock Foundation.

October 23, 1999: Partial Reunion at Glen Buxton Memorial

On October 23, 1999, Bruce, Dunaway, and Smith reunited with Alice Cooper at the second Glen Buxton Memorial Weekend for a show at CoopersTown in Phoenix.

September 2004: Storyline Contribution to Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror

In September 2004, Alice Cooper contributed a storyline to Bongo Comics's Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror, a special Monsters of Rock issue.

2004: Comments on Musicians Supporting John Kerry

During the lead-up to the 2004 presidential election, Alice Cooper stated that rock stars campaigning for John Kerry were committing treason against rock n' roll and that it made him more supportive of George W. Bush.

June 20, 2005: Alice Cooper Interview on Enough Rope

On June 20, 2005, Alice Cooper was interviewed by Andrew Denton on Australian ABC TV's Enough Rope, discussing alcoholism, his faith, and his relationship with his family.

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September 2007: Cooper Discusses Faith on BBC Radio 2

During an interview with Johnnie Walker on BBC Radio 2 in September 2007, Alice Cooper stated that he was not a Christian when he gave up drinking but later became vocal about his faith as a born-again Christian.

2007: Publication of Autobiography Alice Cooper, Golf Monster

In 2007, Alice Cooper's autobiography, titled Alice Cooper, Golf Monster, was published.

December 16, 2010: Reunion show at Dodge Theatre

On December 16, 2010, Bruce, Dunaway, and Smith reunited with Alice Cooper for another show at the Dodge Theatre in Phoenix, with Steve Hunter on guitar.

2010: Views on Politics in Music

In 2010, Alice Cooper stated that he is extremely non-political and believes politics should not be mixed with rock music.

May 11, 2011: Performance at Jägermeister Ice Cold 4D event

On May 11, 2011, Bruce, Dunaway, and Smith performed with Alice Cooper at London's Battersea Power Station at the Jägermeister Ice Cold 4D event, which was webcast.

February 18, 2012: Bobblehead Giveaway by Arizona Coyotes

On February 18, 2012, the Arizona Coyotes gave away an Alice Cooper bobblehead as a promotion for the first 10,000 fans at a game against the Dallas Stars.

2012: Dragon Con discussion with James Randi

In 2012, at Dragon Con, Alice Cooper and magician James Randi discussed their working relationship during the period when Randi designed stage effects for Cooper's shows.

2012: First Teen Center Opens in Phoenix

In 2012, the first of several teen centers founded by the Solid Rock Foundation opened in Phoenix, Arizona.

December 2018: Prediction on the Next U.S. President

In December 2018, Alice Cooper predicted the next U.S. president would be "worse" than Donald Trump, while criticizing musicians for talking politics to their fans.

2018: Release of Alice Cooper's Nightmare Castle Pinball Machine

In 2018, Alice Cooper contributed his likeness and over 700 voice lines to Alice Cooper's Nightmare Castle, a pinball machine released by Spooky Pinball that features ten songs performed by Cooper.

2019: Death Pact Clarification

In 2019, after sparking headlines about a "death pact" with his wife, Alice Cooper clarified his comments, stating they have a "life pact" and would likely be together if something happened to either of them.

2021: Teen Center Opens in Mesa, Arizona

In 2021, another teen center founded by the Solid Rock Foundation opened in Mesa, Arizona.

2025: Comments on Donald Trump and "Wokeness"

In a 2025 interview with The Times, Alice Cooper expressed support for Donald Trump, stating that America got too "woke" and needed a "pitbull" in a "shooting war."