Rock icon Alice Cooper, born Vincent Damon Furnier, is discussing his unique journey from rock and roll excess to his current Christian faith, ahead of an appearance in Wolverhampton. Known for hits like "School's Out" and "Poison," Cooper, 78, described himself as the "prodigal son," having grown up in a Christian household before diverging significantly from that path.
Cooper detailed the stark contrast between his on-stage alter ego, Alice Cooper, and his personal identity, likening the dynamic to a "Jekyll and Hyde thing." He explained that while on stage, he embodies the character fully, but off stage, their perspectives are entirely different. "I love playing him because that's who he is and he should be that on stage, but off stage we don't think alike at all," Cooper stated. He noted that he attends church on Sundays and sometimes teaches Bible study, a practice that stands in sharp contrast to his shock-rock persona.
This period of reflection comes as Cooper has released his autobiography, "Devil on My Shoulder," which chronicles his extensive career. He is scheduled to appear at the University of Wolverhampton at The Halls.
The artist also spoke candidly about the destructive nature of drug and alcohol abuse, drawing from his own experiences. He described his past cocaine use as a period where "all of my senses went away and I was living for the drug, so it's a form of possession." He also noted that alcohol can drastically alter individuals, making "the nicest people in the world" turn into their opposite.
Cooper founded Solid Rock, an organization dedicated to providing young people with free after-school training in music, dance, and art. He expressed concern for contemporary youth, suggesting they navigate a more perilous environment than previous generations. "I think kids are living in a really dangerous world right now. What's going on on the street is a much more dangerous world than what we had," he remarked.