Alice Cooper Group Reunites After 50 Years: A Look Back and What’s Next
Rock and roll history is being rewritten! The original Alice Cooper Group, the masterminds behind anthems like "School's Out" and "I'm Eighteen," are back together after more than five decades. Their new album, The Revenge of Alice Cooper, is set to drop on July 25th, promising a blend of classic sound and fresh energy. But this isn't just a reunion; it's a resurrection.
The surviving members – Alice Cooper himself, guitarist Michael Bruce, bassist Dennis Dunaway, and drummer Neal Smith – have joined forces for the first time since 1973's Muscle of Love. And in a move that's both poignant and thrilling, the album will even feature a posthumous contribution from late guitarist Glen Buxton, thanks to a unearthed riff that's been woven into a track called "What Happened To You".
Bob Ezrin, the legendary producer who shaped iconic albums like School's Out and Billion Dollar Babies, is also back on board, solidifying the album's connection to the band's golden era. The first single, "Black Mamba," featuring Robby Krieger of The Doors, is slated for release on April 22nd, hinting at the exciting collaborations and unexpected twists that await.
According to Alice Cooper, the recording process felt like no time had passed at all. "Isn’t that funny after 50 years?" he told Billboard. "All of a sudden it just falls into place." Ezrin echoed this sentiment, noting that the band members instantly reverted to their teenage selves, making music together as if the decades hadn't intervened.
But before we fully embrace the excitement of this reunion, let's take a look back at how these musicians connect and what Alice said about their previous co-operations. Since 2011, Dunaway, Bruce, and Smith have been co-writing and performing on songs from Cooper's solo albums.
"Those guys have got an open invitation at all times, and they know it, to write songs and submit songs," Cooper told UCR contributor Gary Graff. "And when they do submit songs I kind of insist on it being the entire band playing it live in the studio."
Since 2011, the original Alice Cooper Group have co-written or recorded together on 11 songs, including:
From Welcome 2 My Nightmare (2011): "A Runaway Train," "I'll Bite Your Face Off" and "When Hell Comes Home."
From Paranormal (2017): "Fireball," "Rats," "The Sound of A," "Genuine American Girl" and "You and All of Your Friends."
From Detroit Stories (2021): "Social Debris," "I Hate You" and "Drunk and in Love."
The question on everyone's mind: Will they tour? While a full arena tour is uncertain, Cooper hasn't ruled out the possibility of intimate sets in cities like Detroit or London. "We always leave those things open," he said, leaving fans with a glimmer of hope.
As we anticipate The Revenge of Alice Cooper, it's a perfect time to revisit the band's classic albums, from the experimental Pretties For You to the chart-topping Billion Dollar Babies. Each album represents a chapter in the band's evolution, showcasing their unique blend of shock rock, theatricality, and musical prowess. Their journey, from Arizona high school band to rock icons, embodies both triumph and struggle, making their reunion all the more compelling. The albums are ranked as follows:
7 Easy Action
6 Muscle Of Love
5 Pretties For You
4 School’s Out
3 Killer
2 Love It To Death
1 Billion Dollar Babies
The Alice Cooper Group's reunion is more than just a nostalgia trip; it's a chance to witness the rebirth of a legendary band. Will they recapture their former glory? Can they deliver an album that lives up to their iconic status? Only time will tell. Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!