ALICE COOPER, the Godfather of Shock Rock returns! In this riff-soaked episode, Team Derringer welcomes lifelong Alice Cooper fangirl Kathy Derringer to trace the Godfather of Shock Rock from his Phoenix-area origins through his chart-smashing heyday.
IN THIS EPISODE
- The Band’s Wild Origin Story: From Phoenix high school act to the Earwigs, then Spiders, Nazz, and finally Alice Cooper. It’s a name this is as deceptively innocent as the stage antics were outrageous.
- Classic Albums, Shock and Awe:
- Early psychedelic albums Pretties for You (1969) and Easy Action (1970). Paul Derringer labels these albums “shockingly bad” but crucial to the band's formation. (To disagree with Paul, send an email to feedback@derringerdiscoveries.com – ATTENTION: PAUL) 😜
- Love It to Death (1971): Bob Ezrin enters the scene, producing the hit “I’m Eighteen” and transforming the band’s fortune.
- Killer (1971), School’s Out (1972), and Billion Dollar Babies (1973): The band’s ascent to superstardom, with snakelike stage shows and iconic album art (including a billion-dollar bill and, yes… underwear!).
- The Split and Reinvention:
- Vincent Furnier legally becomes “Alice Cooper” and owns the name, launching a storied solo career with hits like "Welcome to My Nightmare" (1975).
- Wild Facts & Deep Cuts:
- Secrets behind the original band, vinyl album art, Cooper’s shocking collaborations, and why “Poison” is Alice’s top-streamed track today.
- The Long-Awaited Reunion:
- Story behind The Revenge of Alice Cooper - the first full studio album with the original band since 1973’s Muscle of Love, featuring posthumous contributions from Glen Buxton, and production wizardry from Bob Ezrin.
- Preview of the first two singles: “Black Mamba” (featuring Robbie Krieger of The Doors), and “Wild Ones” – tracks that Kathy described as vintage Alice Cooper with a modern bite.
JOIN US
Whether you grew up touring amusement parks of horror or you’re new to the madness, crank up the volume and join us.
INFO AND EPISODE: www.derringerdiscoveries.com/087
WEBSITE: www.derringerdiscoveries.com
NEWSLETTER: www.derringerdiscoveries.com/subscribe
The theme song for Derringer Discoveries is Your Sister's Room by Ho Jo Fro.
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