Alice Cooper Pictures, Biography, Profile, Facts, Discography, Filmography, more.

Furnier formed his first group, the Earwigs, as an Arizona teenager in the early '60s. Changing the band's name to the Spiders in 1965, the group was eventually called the Nazz (not to be confused with Todd Rundgren's band of the same name). The Spiders and the Nazz both released local singles that were moderately popular. In 1968, after discovering there was another band called with the same name, the group changed its name to Alice Cooper. According to

band legend, the name came to Furnier during a ouija board session, where he was told he was the reincarnation of a 17th-century witch of the same name. Comprised of vocalist Furnier -- who would soon begin calling himself Alice Cooper -- guitarist Mike Bruce, guitarist Glen Buxton, bassist Dennis Dunaway, and drummer Neal Smith, the group moved to California in 1968. In California, the group met Shep Gordon, who became their manager, and Frank Zappa, who signed Alice Cooper to his Straight Records imprint.

In 1969 they released ‘Pretties For You’ and ‘Easy Action’.

In 1971 they were signed by Warner Bros., and their next album, ‘Love It to Death’, launched them into the best selling charts.

Then followed a whole string of hit albums including ‘Killer’ (1972), ‘School’s Out’(1972), ‘Billion Dollar Babies’(1973) and ‘Muscle of Love’(1974).

Alice Cooper liked to tour, but caused controversy wherever they went. His theatrical antics such as the ‘murder’ of infant dolls with blood everywhere, and his extreme look, caused outrage, but created a huge fan base.

In 1974, Alice Cooper (Vincent Furnier) parted from Alice Cooper (the band). Furnier kept the name Alice Cooper and the band went on to record with the name ‘Billion Dollar Babies’.

For his first solo album, Cooper hired Lou Reed's backing band from Rock 'N' Roll Animal -- guitarists Dick Wagner and Steve Hunter, bassist Prakash John, keyboardist Joseph Chrowski, and drummer Penti Glan -- as his supporting group. Welcome to My Nightmare, Alice Cooper's first solo album, was released in the spring of 1975. The record wasn't a great departure from his previous work, and it became a Top Ten hit in America, launching the hit acoustic ballad "Only Women Bleed"; its success put an end to any idea of reconvening Alice Cooper the band. Its follow-up, 1976's Alice Cooper Goes to Hell, was another hit, going gold in the U.S. After Alice Cooper Goes to Hell, Cooper's career began to slip, partially due to changing trends and partially due to his alcoholism. Cooper entered rehabilitation in 1978, writing an album about his treatment called From the Inside (1978) with Bernie Taupin, Elton John's lyricist. During the early '80s, Cooper continued to release albums and tour, yet he was no longer as popular as he was during his early-'70s heyday.

Cooper’s music hit a downturn in the early 1980s, with albums such as ‘Special Forces’ and ‘Zipper Catches Skin’ flopping. However, by 1989, his new album, ‘Trash’, was a hit.

Recently he has been making appearances in films such as 'Wayne’s World' (1992) and 'The Last Temptation’(1994), as well as producing albums which are relatively well received, although they haven't matched the popularity of his earlier work.

Trivia / Timeline:

4 Feb 1948 Vincent Damon Furnier born, Detroit MI.

Apr 1961 Cooper's father, Ether Moroni (Michael) Furnier, ordained a minister.

May 1961 Family moves to Phoenix, AZ.

12 Apr 1968 While answering questions of the police after a traffic incident, begins using the name Alice Cooper.

8 Sep 1970 Alice Cooper allegedly arrested for using the word tits, Kansas City NE. (We cannot confirm this.)

1974 Legally changes name to Alice Cooper.

20 Mar 1976 Marries Sheryl Goddard, age 19. 1988 Father, Ether Moroni (Michael) Furnier, died.

Alice Cooper Discography:

Ladies Man (1969)

Pretties For You (1969)

Easy Action (1970)

Love It To Death (1971)

Killer (1972)

School's Out (1972)

Billion Dollar Babies (1973)

Greatest Hits (1974)

Welcome To My Nightmare (1975)

Alice Cooper Goes To Hell (1976)

Lace & Whiskey (1977)

Live: Alice Cooper Show (1977)

From The Inside (1978)

Flush The Fashion (1980)

Zipper Catches Skin (1982)

Constrictor (1986)

Raise Your Fist and Yell (1987)

Prince of Darkness (1989)

Trash (1989)

Hey Stoopid (1991)

The Last Temptation (1994)

Classicks (1995)

Freak Out (1995)

A Fistful of Alice (1997)

A Nice Nightmare (1997)

Beast of Alice Cooper (1998)

Freedom for Frankenstein (1998)

Muscle of Love (1998)

Special Forces (1999)

Life and Crimes of Alice Cooper (1999)

Brutal Planet (2000)

Dragontown (2001)

Live: The Toronto Rock & Roll Revival (2001)

Poison (2003)

Alice Cooper Filmography:

As Composer:

The Ultimate Clip Collection: Alice Cooper (2003) (V) Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001) (song "Generation Landslide")

The Filth and the Fury (2000) (songs "I'm Eighteen", "School's Out")

The Faculty (1998) (songs "School's Out", "I'm Eighteen")

Scream (1996) (song) (uncredited)

Reality Bites (1994) (song "School's Out")

Shocker (1989) ... aka Shocker: No More Mr. Nice Guy (USA: alternative title)

Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986) (song)

... aka Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (USA)

Leviatán (1984) (songs "Identity Crisis" and "See Me in the Mirror")

... aka Monster Dog (USA) ... aka Perros de la muerte, Los ... aka The Bite

Class of 1984 (1982) (song "I Am the Future")

Roadie (1980) (song "Only Women Bleed") (song "Road Rats" and "Pain")

Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979) (song "School's Out")

As Actor:

The Ultimate Clip Collection: Alice Cooper (2003) (V) .... Alice Cooper

The Attic Expeditions (2001) .... Samuel Leventhal ... aka Horror in the Attic (UK)

Alice Cooper: Brutally Live (2000) (V) .... Vocals

Freakshow (1999) .... Pirate Jack

Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991) (uncredited) .... Freddy's Father

... aka A Nightmare On Elm Street 6

Alice Cooper Trashes the World (1990) (V) .... Vocals

Prince of Darkness (1987) .... Street Schizo

... aka John Carpenter's Prince of Darkness (USA: complete title)

Alice Cooper: The Nightmare Returns (1986) (V) .... Vocals

... aka The Nightmare Returns (USA: TV title)

Twisted Sister: Come Out and Play (1986) (V)

Leviatán (1984) .... Vince ... aka Monster Dog (USA)

... aka Perros de la muerte, Los ... aka The Bite

Alice in Paris (1982) (TV) ... aka The Paris Special (USA)

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978) .... Marvin Sunk (the 'Sun King')

... aka Banda de los corazones

Sextette (1978) .... Waiter

Alice Cooper: The Nightmare (1975) (TV) .... Steven

... aka The Nightmare