Alice Cooper says he has no intentions of retiring
In an exclusive interview with Rock Candy magazine, featured in an extensive 16-page cover story, the iconic shock rocker Alice Cooper expressed his unwavering determination to defy the prevailing trend of rock stars retiring.
“A farewell tour hasn’t crossed my mind at all,” said Alice, who turned 75 this year. “And it’s weird, because all my friends are retiring. Gene Simmons [of KISS] said to me recently, ‘Look, I’m done. Come December, it’s over.’ And I go, ‘Well, you know, these farewell tours go on for years and years now, right?’
“But Gene was very serious and said, ‘Not this time. I promise you that come December, KISS as we know it is absolutely done.’ The guys in AEROSMITH are saying the same thing, as are many other bands from my era. But none of that occurs to me. It’s never been a thought that I’d retire. I feel great, and the band sounds great. I’m 75, but I’ll be up there at 90 if I’m still in good enough shape.”
Alice Cooper went on to cite THE ROLLING STONES, who are still active and as relevant today as ever they have been, as his inspiration. “I’m looking at Mick Jagger as the prototype,” he says. “Mick still does three-hour shows and the soundcheck. So if Mick can do it, so can I.”
Discover Rock Candy‘s comprehensive 16-page feature on Alice Cooper, along with a plethora of captivating stories about DEEP PURPLE, Paul Rodgers, Ronnie James Dio, EUROPE, and many other artists in the magazine’s 40th issue.
For more details, visit www.rockcandymag.com.
Alice Cooper previously discussed retirement during a September 7 interview with SiriusXM‘s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk”. When asked how long he thinks he can keep touring before it will be time for him to retire, Alice rocker responded: “It’s all in your head. I really think so. And also if you’re physically well. I would not wanna play Alice Cooper if I didn’t look like Alice, the same way I looked like Alice in the ’70s.
“I still look like that Alice. If I couldn’t sing like Alice, if I lost my interest in it, if I didn’t really love doing it. And the main thing is if nobody shows up. You can go out on tour and if nobody buys tickets, you’re done. That’s not happened; in fact, it’s kind of doubled for us.
“I think people come to see Alice and they’re expecting to see this relic, and they see the highest-energy show they’ve seen all year,” Alice continued. “I’ve never been in better shape.”
Cooper went on to say that he “can’t explain” why his stage delivery hasn’t diminished in recent years, like it has with so many other aging rockers. “Physically, I can [explain it],” he clarified. “I never smoked cigarettes. And that is a big — that’s one of the big things that ends bands. And you think, ‘Well, that’s legal. Okay.’ Cigarettes, you know, are gonna kill your lungs; it’s gonna kill your energy — everything.
“I quit drinking 40 years ago. I married exactly the right woman. I mean, all of the ducks are in a row. I think stress kills more guys than anything else. I don’t worry about anything. I mean, Shep [Gordon] being my manager, Bob [Ezrin] being my producer, I really don’t have to worry about anything. So I’m just having fun out there. I could have retired 30 years ago, but, man, that’s no fun. I wanna be up there on stage playing Alice.”
Alice Cooper‘s latest album, “Road,” made its debut on August 25 through earMUSIC. This new offering, produced by his long-time collaborator Bob Ezrin, was a collaborative effort crafted alongside Alice‘s trusted and enduring bandmates, including Ryan Roxie (guitar), Chuck Garric (bass), Tommy Henrikson (guitar), Glen Sobel (drums), and Nita Strauss (guitar).
A true maverick in the world of rock music, Alice Cooper has cast an enduring influence with his unparalleled live performances and timeless anthems such as “School’s Out,” “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” and “Poison.” With a remarkable track record of over 50 million albums sold worldwide, Alice received a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003, and his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011 further solidified his iconic status.
Alice Cooper boasts one of the most influential discographies in rock history, with acclaimed releases like the platinum-certified “Love It To Death” (1971) and iconic albums including “Killer” (1971), “School’s Out” (1972), the chart-topping “Billion Dollar Babies” (1973), “Welcome To My Nightmare” (1975), and “Trash” (1989), among others. “Trash” even earned a spot on Rolling Stone’s list of “50 Greatest Hair Metal Albums Of All Time.”
His impact extends deep into popular culture, with memorable appearances in movies like “Wayne’s World” (1992), starring alongside EGOT winner John Legend and Sara Bareilles in NBC’s 2018 production of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s “Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert,” and even guest appearances on “The Muppets” in the ’70s and “That ’70s Show” in the early 2000s.
Alice Cooper‘s music has left an indelible mark, inspiring artists ranging from Etta James to THE SMASHING PUMPKINS, MEGADETH, and THE FLAMING LIPS, all of whom have covered his songs. Additionally, his work has been sampled by THE BEASTIE BOYS, DISTURBED, and numerous others. His collaborative endeavors have included notable figures like the late Vincent Price, AEROSMITH, GUNS N’ ROSES, and Jon Bon Jovi. Furthermore, he co-founded HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES alongside AEROSMITH’s Joe Perry and Johnny Depp, showcasing his enduring influence in the rock world.