Alice Cooper (Photo via Reelz)
Alice Cooper will be the subject of an episode of the REELZ music series Story of The Songs, this Sunday, June 19, 2022 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The program profiles the music that made Cooper the Godfather of shock rock – from the revolutionary and controversial stage shows to such iconic, classic rock hits like “School’s Out” and “Welcome To My Nightmare.”
The episode features discussions with the musicians who shared the stage and the close friends who witnessed it all, including those at opening night of the “Welcome To My Nightmare” tour in Kalamazoo, Mich. on March 21, 1975. Watch an exclusive clip below.
Cooper guitarist, Steve Hunter, shared his first-hand account of that night with the rock doc’s producers.
“I remember standing backstage and I can see twenty-some odd-thousand people, the lights go down and there is an enormous roar,” Hunter recalls. “It was the most exhilarating thing I ever heard in my life.”
“And the sound of the people in there, the uproar, it was spectacular,” recalls Alice Cooper bass player, Prakash John, who was also on the tour.
“I had never seen music brought to life like that, something that I was consuming through my eyes as much as through my ears,” says author Dr. Ian Chapman, who published Experiencing Alice Cooper: A Listener’s Companion, more than four decades years later.
Watch footage from opening night of the tour
The documentary program, Alice Cooper: Story of The Songs, also taps Hanoi Rocks vocalist Michael Monroe to break down some of Cooper’s most memorable songs, and Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider talks fans through the making of Cooper’s image and how his late ‘80s comeback cemented his legacy as one of rock’s greatest showmen.
Watch the trailer for the episode
Watch REELZ on DIRECTV 238, Dish Network 299, Verizon FiOS 692, AT&T U-verse 1799 and in HD on cable systems and streaming services nationwide. Find REELZ on your local cable or satellite provider at reelz.com.
Related: Listings for 100s of classic rock tours
4 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationAlice looks like he found the long-lost cousin of Ahmed, the Dead Terrorist.
The great thing about Alice, is he’s a normal guy leading an abnormal life, and he knows it and appreciates it.
His radio show is a hoot. Every year he puts on a wonderful Christmas show in Phoenix to benefit his Solid Rock Foundation.
Back in the 90s, I was at a Phoenix Coyotes home playoff game, which they inevitably lost. During an intermission, I went out for a hot dog. After I put some mustard on it, I turned to go back to my seat. And almost bumped into . . . Alice Cooper, who had been waiting his turn in line. Wearing a white tux with tails.
When it comes to entertainment, Alice Cooper understands it like few others.
I saw that tour at the Niagara Falls Convention Center 5/4/75 with Suzi Quatro opening. It was amazing. Saw Alice in the mid 80s and with a Radio friend of mine we got to hang out for a while in his tour bus. I agree he’s just a normal guy with a great down to earth personality, wonderful night.
If you’ve never seen Alice Cooper live, you are missing out. Go see him while you can, for he is amazing onstage.
I was at the March 21 1975 show at Wing Stadium in Kalamazoo Mi. This was a few weeks after my first concert ever on March 9 1975 where I saw Styx at Welsh Auditorium in Grand Rapids. Unfortunately, I don’t have REELZ available to me. What a difference in shows!
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