Monday, June 23, 2008

Vince! Dead Babies?


It was May 13th, 1973. We had just got out of high school the year before... well my wife to be just got out of high school. I had quit HS and was playing rock n' roll! We were concert goers! The year before we had gone to see Alice Cooper at the San Diego Sports Arena. We were back and we followed the group to their hotel that night after the concert. The year before they played with Captain Beyond, one of the best concerts I ever went to. This year they played with Flo and Eddie, formerly of The Turtles fame.

Alice introduced his new show - guillotine and new boaconstricter. I think most people under state the effect that Alice Cooper had on the rock scene and rock music. After all, Rock n' Roll is half music and half show! Behind the silliness of his show, was some great musicianship. Alice is an incredibly talented musician. His melodies and songs are advanced as any in the field. The show was a blast! One tune after the next - better than the opera!

After the show we went to their hotel to do a little party-ing with the guys. It was awesome. They were all normal fellas and very cool. There was no pretension and no looking down their nose at us. They invited us in to Alice's room and we sat around and talked. What do you talk about? I don't even recall! I was so stoked at just being able to hang out with them. They were of course exhausted, but still we had a great time.

As for their music. I've kind of lost track over the years. But I still crank up the old stuff now and then. I still get a kick! from "Love It To Death", to "Killer", to "School's Out" to "Billion Dollar Babies", these are my favorite! I have to laugh even now when I think of Donovan singing on Billion Dollar Babies! What a hoot!But still great music! (That's my wife behind Michael Bruce!)

And if known for nothing else, Alice Cooper was the first group to wear dresses! When I first saw that first album with them all dressed up, I thought, "What? A bunch of faggots?" I have no idea what their gender preference is or was, and I really don't care. They blew apart all of the fears! And created greater fears for parents than any other group did. Who cared if Black Sabbath made your kids worship the devil, when Alice was getting them to wear dresses!!!! And not only dresses, but some of the scariest makeup ever. Boy George? Marilyn Manson? They're nobodies! The original was Alice Cooper! And unlike those two losers, his music was... IS awesome! Thanx Vince!

8 comments:

Robyn said...

We had the best times! There is nothing like listening to Alice on the radio every time we go to AZ too!

Anonymous said...

Hehehe. You sir, are a master story-teller. Simple, direct, and very entertaining.

The1stdaughter said...

Hey what about New York Dolls??? I thought they wore dresses too, weren't they before Alice Cooper? Hmmm...I could be wrong.

It's always strange to think that my parents have split personalities...hehe. How could these people be the same as my parents??? JK...hehe.

S'mee said...

We get AC up here on our local radio station...he's the 7-12 dj. He still cracks me up. Love him.

tmg_founder said...

1st daughter - AC released their first album in early '71, the NYD's had their first performance around Christmas '71. Cooper had been together for years. The Dolls may have wore dresses, but they were copy cats!
S'mee - Alice (Vince Furnier) lives in Phoenix, because he loves golf! That's where his show originates from. everytime I go to AZ, I try to tune in!
thanx for the comments!

Phantom said...

All right, all right, I'll admit it, you had some of the best music. I must also say, that even though about 80% of the music in the past 20 years blows, that still leaves 20% kick ace music. Yeah!
And, you're right, Marilyn Manson has nothing on Alice Cooper!

The Pea said...

Okay I have been reluctant to post this question because I am a nerd and would probably disappoint my father in saying I have hardly any knowledge of any of this, so....
We have heard many rummers while living in "the bubble" One being Alice Cooper was once mormon and he once burned a BOM on stage? do you know if there is any truth to that?

Robyn said...

No truth whatsoever Pea. Vince - AC - is a baptist by upbringing. Never burned a BOM on stage.