Alice Cooper on How He Became Alice Cooper | The Big Interview

@AliceCooper, singer of beloved tracks like "School's Out," "No More Mr. Nice Guy," and "I'm Eighteen," talks with Dan Rather about how The Beatles pushed him toward a career in music, forming a band with his school friends in Arizona, getting a big break thanks to Frank @zappa and more on The Big Interview.

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[bevo]

Alice Cooper disturbed me a little as a kid. Turns out he's a true gentleman, and pretty dang smart too. And he loves his parents to boot. A great American.

[xraydelta]

Alice Cooper is probably one of the biggest almost-forgotten rockers of all-time! People forget how big he was in the early 70s! "Welcome to my Nightmare" was incredible!

[Arturo-smtb]

Alice is a very good human being, a very intelligent, incredibly talented guy, who sounds exactly the same as he did 50 years ago.

[cpiscopo]

I met Vincent Furnier little over 20 years ago at a Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale Arizona. He was putting up his 1970 Shelby Mustang up for auction at the time. I happened to have suffered a torn calf muscle playing tennis just a few days earlier at the hotel I was staying at. One of the goals of my trip was to attend my first Barrett-Jackson auction. But being on crutches, going to a show of that nature was very daunting. Because I had so looked forward to attending my first Barrett-Jackson, a local friend of mine offered to drive me to the sight and of course I accepted without even realizing this would be at best quite a physical challenge.

When we got there, I hobbled out on to the field where the cars were stored prior to being auctioned, I saw the Shelby and wanted to get a closer look at it. As I was gingerly poking my head into the open drive's side window I heard a voice from behind me that asked "you like that car?" I replied yes I do and as soon as I finished saying that I slowly pivoted around on the crutches and there he was. I asked "hi what do I call you?" He replied "call me Vince." He immediately took pity on me and asked what happened and I explained it and he went on to say something to the affect that at our age we should be playing golf instead and I totally agreed with him.

From that point on we talked mostly about antique cars and golf for a few minutes (never even spoke about music) then he asked if I need assistance in getting back to the pavilion where the auction was taking place. I replied thanks but I needed to practice on using the crutches. He said ok but if I need assistance he showed me what I needed to do to get some.

I echo the words of the comment immediately before me in this thread in that he is a true gentleman and a smart man all around. If you are reading this Vince, thank you so much for taking the time to make me feel good when I needed it most and above all keep on rocking!

[videowilliams]

So many of these successful rock'n'rollers are hilariously well-educated gentlemen when it's time to calmly sit and speak as themselves. I like the fact that Alice freely admits he had a happy, secure, conventional childhood, and did not get into rock because he was angry but because it was funny and fun.

[tettazwo]

Two gentlemen having a cultivated conversation. What a delight!

[jamesjablonski]

I have his lps and listen to them to this day. I'm 74. The music today sucks.

[tonycrispino]

Alice fan for a very long time. His onstage persona is totally stage. This man is so different than people expect. Avid golfer/athlete, family man married now 48 years, private but charitable. Behind that freak rock n roll stage show is a true gentleman.

[tint]

I was never a real big fan of Alice Cooper until I started listening to his Nights with Alice Cooper radio show. He turned me on to music that I had never heard before. He also really answers the questions you leave on the website. He has answered several of my questions and It's cool to hear your name and his take or answer to my questions.

[Zoro]

Alice is always a pleasure to listen to.Use to listen to his radio show and found his recall fascinating, he was hanging out with all the big guy's in the business but never comes across as boastful I could listen to him for hours, obviously highly intellectual. Great songwriter and singer, he's one of the " one offs" that come along every now and then and are sadly fading from the music business.... enjoy him while he's around he's a class act

[kennymik]

I've seen and heard "a few"... as of now, this is by far the best Alice interview ever. Ever. Thank you so much! Alice Cooper for ever!

[brucerobinson]

I have seen Alice Cooper in concert twice . Once in 1981 and once in early 2000s . Still puts on a great show . 🙂

[roymillsjnr]

My mum's name was Alice Cooper before she married 😂🙌

[rulexi]

Certainly he is gem in Arizona. If you ever get a chance to meet him you will see he is a genuine gentleman.

[tinashumway]

My favorite artist of all time. I've been lucky enough to see him 4x & I will go everytime he's close.

[MrDoneboy]

Alice and Glen Campbell were neighbors, and golfing best friends in Phoenix!

[greasey]

In the late 70’s my oldest brother turned me on to Alice Cooper and Frank Zappa. I was only 11-12 years old. I remember thinking these guys are whacked out. I still love them both today.

[garyvee]

I was lucky enough to see Alice in his "Welcome to my nightmare" tour in Western Australia in 1977..., just brilliant. 🥰

[blair.mitch.project]

Just saw him last night in concert, gained even more respect for him, a true legend and entertainer. Much love Mr.Cooper 🤘🏻🖤

[oskarvikstrom]

What a guy! The first LP I bought with my own money was "Love it to death". It is still one of my favourites.