Radio: the last refuge of superannuating rockers. Cleveland's Michael Stanley gave up trying to make a living from his music, surrendered to his local legend status, and went to work for Cleveland classic rock station WNCX 15 years ago; the afternoon drive shift affords him a secure, cushy platform from which to foray out to semi-regular performances and occasional recording.
Former Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth's syndicated morning show — which just started in January as one of Infinity Broadcasting (now CBS Radio) replacements for Howard Stern's departed morning cash cow — is apparently not as secure as Stanley's, as it was announced over the weekend that Roth was taking this week off from his show after less than two months on the job. Hmm.
And of course Little Steven rocks his syndicated Underground Garage show from across the nation on a weekly basis. But the really big rockstar-on-the-radio success story is Alice Cooper's nationally syndicated show, imaginatively entitled "Nights with Alice Cooper," which airs "5 hours a night, 5 days a week" on over 60 stations from coast to coast, showcasing, um, classic rock, anecdotes from Cooper's 35 years as a rock icon, interviews, "OffBEAT News" with his accomplice/dominatrix Mistress Kitty, assorted other features and whatnot.
Celebrate the last day of February by listening to Nights With Alice Cooper! Coop serves up a mini-tribute to Brian Jones of the Stones, a cool cover from Styx, DOUBLE shots of your favorite bands, AND of course a very special closet classic from his vault of amazing music! Then... drum roll please- it's a brand-new interview with Ozzy Osbourne! Yes, Ozzy spills the beans on his ‘Rasputin' musical and encounter with Yoko Ono, and he may even snort a line of ants on the air! Then there's a tasty Tuesday Bluesday tune, lots of listener EMAIL requests and much, much more tasty rock goodness. Don't miss the Nights With Alice Cooper's titillating Tuesday night meltdown, right here tonight!
Cooper adds Philadelphia's classic rocker WMGK to his nightly nightmare Thursday, March 2 (fans of the shock rocker can welcome him to Philadelphia Thursday from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at Chickie's & Pete's in South Philadelphia). The show debuted just over two years ago on KDKB-FM, Phoenix, and is syndicated by United Stations Radio Networks.
It's a fun show and Cooper does still perform and record nimbly at a spry 58, but it's a far cry from the madness that was Alice Cooper -- band and man — 35 years ago. In 1970, Shep Gordon, who managed Alice Cooper, was wandering the streets of Toronto, killing time as he awaited the arrival of funds to pay the band's hotel bill after the Strawberry Fields Festival. His wanderings led him to the door of Nimbus 9 productions, producers of the Guess Who, and an epiphany: What Alice Cooper needed to break through to the big time was THE GUESS WHO SOUND.
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Article comments
1 - Barry Stoller
Nicely put.
2 - Vern Halen
Y'know, Alice never got the Guess Who sound, but the recordings of both those bands still hold up today without sounding grossly dated: no primitive synths, disco stylings, or eunuch rooster backing vocals. Hats off to both Ezrin & Richardson for their restraint.
3 - Sharon
The most interestingly written Cooper history lesson that I've read in a very long time. Well done!
4 - Eric Olsen
thanks very much Barry, Vern, and Sharon - I was just listening to the reissue of the Guess Who's greatest hits and agree it holds up very well also: lean, melodic, sometimes even biting pop-rock with a great singer and assertive guitarist.
But Alice was something else entirely!
5 - Tina Long
I love Alice Cooper and he still puts out some pretty good music.
6 - Eric Olsen
my friend's wife won't listen to anything BUT Alice Cooper, even now - talk about brand loyalty
7 - Carolyn Hercik
I am the wife of a friend that Eric mentions. Alice has been my band for 33 years. I do listen to other music but I still love Alice the best. We moved from Cleveland to Nashville recently and can not get the radio show, so Eric, please keep me up to date, you have my email-- Thanks and remember--don't count your carp before they hatch!
8 - Eric Olsen
aah, sorry I spelled your name wrong in the email Carolyn, was in a huge hurry! They need to get the show on in Nashville!
9 - Mark Bellinghaus
Thank you for the interesting look behind the scene, Eric! I still see my older sister rockin' to the sound of Alice Cooper, or KISS for that matter.
Just let me try to analyze his name: We have a very interesting fact - a suggestion of stardom; great choice for a name! (Alice- as of in Wonderland) and Cooper- as of Garry Cooper, one of the biggest Hollywood Star's of the early generation! What a great mix. And as KISS, Alice Cooper is still busy - just went on his website! If he sucked, I think he would have been gone for a long time. But I bet he will remain in Rock-history forever! When I grew up, I heard that name, and thought is it a woman? Alice? Wonder if the same is happening with kids these days, when they hear the name Marilyn Manson...!
Funny, how things repeat itself.
Keep on rockin, Alice- the world of Techno and Trance should remember that there is eternal talent. Created and performed by a human. His make-up rides along with his age and it does not bother at all. Alice Cooper is ageless and will remain so, at least for the next decade. Wonderful.
I have my serious doubts, that "Marilyn Manson" would have made his career the same way as he did, with his birthname: "Brian Warner"?! That sounds just too friendly and nice! Despite his controvercy and huge success, even for the upgrowing generation; "MM" will most likely forever remain as the short for MARILYN MONROE, not Manson, or a rapper, who even received an Oscar, and simply wrote his two M's into: Eminem! Marilyn never got an Oscar. She was simply snubbed by the Academy. But I bet, if Alice Cooper continues and records the right song, he will get a shot at one. He certainly would deserve one, not only for his body of work!But unfortunately the Oscars have become, or always have been very "political" indeed.
10 - crug
alice, dude play some crack the sky, remember?