Was at the Toledo Sports Arena Dec.13,1976. Billion Dollar Babies Tour. Great stage, frosted plexiglass lit underneath, steps to the right and left and dowward. Played 2 songs and left because they feared for their lives. People getting thrown on stage passed out. Guns being shot over their heads. We stayed for 4 hours bangin our feet but they were home by then. Man I feel cheated but dot blame them in the least, damned low IQ biker idiots Met good ones and some not wrapped too tight. The police presence was astronomical in Toledo driving in.
Well...they were one of MANY MANY great bands back then. The great "show" bands included AC; YES; David Bowie; ELP; Kiss, and others. I would honestly say AC was in the top ten...but ELP was #1, with YES & Bowie neck 'n neck for #2.
These are the guys who opened my eyes to what real music was all about!! Starting with the album Killer, when I was 12 years old. RIP--- Glen Buxton ❤☮❤
YT has a video of him on his farm. Very simplistic life. Seemed nice but not strung real tight. Looked as if he didn't have much left. He was a little goofy, but I like goofy.
Yeah they were dangerous !... Parents hated them for years...I loved it !...I was devastated when the original band broke up...then a few years later my mom was humming to "You and me'' on the radio in the kitchen...I was horrified
Went to the mall with my parents in the early 70s and brought a circus or cream magazine with the alice cooper band on the cover. Next day I was in the principals office in school talking to the counselors. God I miss those days! I've met Alice, Mike Dennis and Neal and told them this and they loved it. Neal told me it's people li you that made us famous, On my easy action he signed it Neal Smith ,Thanks Mike!
Alice Cooper was the king of cool in 1972, and 47 years later (!!!) he still is the king of cool. His voice has this raw mean streak and he has this amazing stage personality. What a true artist. Love to see him on stage again with his old buddies. Why did they ever go separate ways ? They had such fantastic chemistry together.
They and mostly him has a introspective unique personality. I must get into one of his bands The Brain Surgeons with Albert Bouchard of Blue Oyster Cult and to TOP IT OFF Ross the Boss from The Dictators. Ross now is in his new band called Ross The Boss but I wish The Dictators would get back together but it doesn't look good.
Maybe I'm just showing my age and bias, but I can't recall hearing a better bass sound on a solo Alice performance of I'm Eighteen ever. No offence to anyone that Alice has had in his solo bands but there's a lot to be said for the guys who made the music playing it live. Dennis Dunaway is the man.
I agree, those 'Acoustic' Amps back in the day were, 'Killer'. (Pun intended.) The best Dennis Dunaway, 'death note' I ever heard in all my concerts, I ever attended, was the open notes for 'Hello Hooray'. I remember hearing that, and I thought my chest was going to explode! Almost 50 years later and I still am in awe of that experience! (And yes, I was in bands with Taurus pedals and have see countless International acts using Taurus pedals in concert.) Hello Hooray opening was a whole different experience in and of itself!!!
He is a bass monster and book really good. No Dennis, no Alice Cooper. Same with Neil and Micheal. This lineup should have reformed for at least five years giving everyone an opportunity to catch a legend that disbanded way too early.
I think that this was one off the best bands ever and Dennis just plays some great stuff. The only other band that matches up to this with a great bass player is Elvis Costellos first band The Attractions.
Sorry, It's me again. I've said on many of these commentaries that the thing I love is watching old men make great music. They weren't old when they first turned me on, but now superannuated they are still so much better than what the kids have now. God bless them all!!
It literally brought tears to my eyes to see Alice on stage in glam again! About time! And of course Alice, Neal, Dennis & Mike totally picked up where they left off. Ryan Roxie played the GB parts and did them with pride.
As a 38 year bass player, I spent years analyzing and playing Dennis's basslines. I wish I could get a bass lesson from him and some insight into how he played those earliest albums, (pretties for you, easy action) because his style is so unique and forward. One of a kind, and musically brilliant! Great to see them together for this gig, sounds like they never stopped.
Cindy....you must either be the lucky MRS. Dunaway or a Dunaway daughter. Cool of you to weigh in. I'm a longtime Tucson boy...now a hair away from being 68....and to put a date stamp on that, the hit "I'm 18" came out when I was a Jr. or Sr. in High School in Tucson and was 18 myself. Like you, I got tears in my eyes when I stumbled onto this vid and saw this reunion of the guys from a show 5 yrs. ago. I sure would love to see this lineup again. Saw them at my high school (Canyon del Oro / CDO) in Tucson when my best bud and I were in Jr. High and snuck into the senior's dance and The Spiders were playing (early Alice Cooper for those not in the know). A few years later, I saw them in Tucson's large new arena venue....several times over the years. What a joy that was.....we'd get SO STONED driving way down to south Tucson to the community center for these concerts, and foolishly drink a lot of beer in the car too. We'd see these Alice shows just blitzed...and well, guess it was a rite of passage.......the guy just blew our little pea-minds every time out. So wonderful to have the ability to see old shows like this on one's own PC. God BLess the Alice Cooper Band....and all it's members, now and past. joelintucson
February 4, 1972, my wonderful big brother Mike took me to my very first rock concert: Alice Cooper, Berkeley Community Theater. I was 15. We stood at the stage edge; my brother gave me the best spot, with the consummate, world's most innovative bassist Dennis Dunaway directly in front of me, "Platinum God"/world's greatest drummer Neal Smith and the incomparable Glen Buxton close by, Alice standing just to my left, and world's best composer/rhythm guitarist/keyboardist, "Matinee Idol" Michael Bruce (sigh!) to Alice's right. What a performance! Their music is great, and there is nobody cooler than those guys. When the band started beating each other up during "Street Fight," I was afraid they were really going to hurt each other! I kept shrinking against my brother and grabbing his arm. He assured me, "It's part of the show." When Neal leaped out from behind his drum set, I was impressed - that guy is tall! When he and Alice started a knife fight, I was shrinking against my brother again! That night was unforgettable, so much fun, and it began a tradition that my brother always takes me to see Alice Cooper. A month later, he took me to my second and third rock concerts, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, March 24 and 25, 1972, San Francisco Civic Auditorium. My brother's an amazing musician, and he insisted we go early to the venue so he could see the equipment load-in - he was interested in every detail of putting on a major rock concert. The equipment load-in had just finished and we were about to head for the stage door, where shy little female me hoped to build up the courage to ask for ELP's autographs, when a limo pulled up to the loading dock and out stepped Keith Emerson. Keith gave us a suspicious frown and kept walking swiftly into the venue, but Greg and Carl came out of the limo laughing and walked straight over to us and they could not have been nicer. I could barely glance at them because I was starstruck - I was content to enjoy observing my brother conversing with them. But then he mentioned to them this was my second rock concert, and that he had taken me to my first the month before. Carl Palmer asked me, "Oh, who did you see last month?" I managed to answer, "Alice Cooper." Greg Lake smiled at me and commented, "Ah, Alice. They put on a good show. How do they kill him this tour?" The effect of the gorgeous Greg Lake grinning at me flirtatiously just about bowled over this little girl. I had to rely on my drama class/school play training to attempt to answer. I replied dramatically, "The gallows," and I mimed a noose around my neck and hanging limp. Greg and Carl started laughing, and I thought, "Oh, thank God." Greg and Carl then invited us to stay for their sound check, which turned out to be a full rehearsal of their entire show that night. During which, every time they took a break, Greg or Carl, or both, came and talked with us throughout the afternoon, while Keith appeared to be composing a new piece that later turned up on "Brain Salad Surgery." It was a great day that I love recalling! Moral of the story: the coolness of Alice Cooper somehow enveloped me and enabled me to spend a great afternoon with Emerson, Lake & Palmer!
Howlin' Wolf opened for Alice - and he was great, too! I mixed up the concert date: the Alice concert was on February 3, and Alice's birthday (February 4) was celebrated at midnight.
WeAreAllOne ExceptForThatGuy first I thought am I evil by diamond head and Metallica then I'm like no heaven and hell by Black Sabbath with dio era and now I'm all like omg 18 by Alice Cooper 🤘😝🤘
+JD McD Thanks, JD! I actually didn't remember an opening act for Alice Cooper - I just remember them coming out and playing, but I thought, am I forgetting? so I looked online, and it listed Howlin' Wolf. I saw Howlin' Wolf a bunch of times at Winterland, opening for different bands, and always was glad to see him - he was not only a great musician, he had a great sense of humor on stage. I appreciate your comment, because I thought, "I don't remember Alice having an opening band - I thought I had a good memory, is it failing me?!" I'm relieved to know I remembered accurately!
I wish I could have seen the Alice cooper band. I have seen Alice solo and it was great but I would have been willing to pay more for the band. The Alice cooper band albums are the best.
He had the coolest vinyl records. Billion dollar babies was a billfold with a giant billion dollar bill. And schools out folded into desk. It was a great fun as a kid.
it's so good to see the original Badass line up at work again!! Dennis Dunaway always led the charge with his awesome Bass lines, and Michael Bruce writing the major hits for the most part in the original Band, and they could count on Neil to key every change. This put chills on me to see the original guys bust out. R.I.P. Glen we miss you.
I am blown away that all those guys at there ages can still get up there and sound that good! Saw them in the 70's with Glen on the Billion Dollar Baby tour and they still got it. Amazing that it takes that combination that really can't be duplicated.
on the billion dollar babies tour glenn,s amps were turned off. two guitarist filled his parts behind the stage. read Bob Greene,s book, Billion Dollar Babies
I remember when the original Alice Cooper band broke up, broke my heart. Wish they had stayed together, that original band was special. Billion Dollar Babies is my favorite album from that lineup.
They can never have a complete reunion because of Glen's passing but this is still great. Michael Bruce is getting himself in shape. Dennis Dunaway is one of my favorite bass players ever! Check out the School's Out album in particular to be schooled on great bass playing.
I feel like I've just stepped into a time machine.....and it's been one of the greatest things in my life. I know things had to change or these guys probably wouldn't be here today, we won't ever forget Glenn. But doesn't it make you feel a little sad at what we missed and what could have been?
Fantastic look at how old they are and they sound fantastic look at the drummer sounds just like the original recording and the guitars also. I would love to see the original band tour so I could go see them. There's never going to be a band like this anymore. The bands now a days suck. Alice cooper original band is number one in my heart. Live long and remember the great times because that's all we have now a days.
The coolest looking band ever.Cover sleeve of BDB was awesome.Neal Smith and his waist length hair was rad.They had the best album covers and inserts.Great songs too.Listening to em since '77.
There's no one like Neal! - No one even close! Every member of the original Alice Cooper had/has a distinctive style and sound (RIP, Glen) that no one can replicate. Not to take anything away from the fine musicians Alice/Vince has worked with since, imo nobody can take the place of Michael, Dennis, and Neal. To me, in a way they're like the American Beatles - if George, John, Paul, or Ringo left the band, they wouldn't be The Beatles anymore. You could put in the best musicians - say, Jeff Beck for George, Ginger Baker for Ringo, Jack Bruce (or Dennis Dunaway!) for Paul - but it wouldn't be The Beatles. It could be a great band, but it wouldn't be The Beatles. Anyway, it's just cool to see the original Alice Cooper (minus, sadly, Glen) playing together again. They're one of a kind. And Dennis particularly looks fantastic and like a day hasn't passed, does he have a painting in the attic aging while he stays youthful à la Dorian Gray?
I was 10-ish or so in the Killer/School's Out/BDB era. I was OBSESSED with drums, so naturally Neal Smith was my idol. I was going to follow his footsteps into rock drummer stardom. (Needless to say, I can not, and never could, play drums to save my ass.)
After Dads divorce, My sisters albums got moved by accident, to my new home. I was listening to this album in 1976, when I was 6YO. This was the beginning, of my Rock Career.
Yeah, since they were inducted in the R&R Hall of Fame. Didn't recognize him at first, but I recognized the Yamaha electric he favours. Think its the SG2000 model from a distance with the Bigsby. Awesome guitars. He's looking a lot greyer these days though
Even without Glen they should a reunion tour. This is what Alice Cooper Group was all about. Alice always gets the best musicians money can buy to support him, but it's not the same.
Alice Cooper was my bridge from fm pop to hard rock . My first album was love it to death and both of us are from detroit. Those guys shaped my musical world.
I was at this show. My first time to actually see Alice Cooper. I'm a musician that was raised in Phoenix where they started out back in the 60's as The Spiders. What a great concert to not only see his current band , but the original also.
When I was 8 or 9 years old, my older brother turned me on to Alice Cooper, probably against my parents wishes. That was in the early 70’s and I have never stopped loving those early tunes. Pure gold to this day with incredible song writing and musicianship
Bob Seger, Gary, lead singer of REO. John Fogarty, they're voices are all changed and not for the better. But Alice doesn't sound like he's aged at all which is really amazing when you consider the hard life he lead for awhile.
Oh I think he sound a bit different. His voice is a bit more gruff now. So like all the others you mentioned, his voice has aged along with him. The difference is with Vince (Alice) he actually sounds better now, the gruffness lends itself to his songs.
So sad that Glen Buxton couldn't be a part of re-creating this magic, but I guess 4/5 of classic Alice Cooper is better than nothing. Rest in peace Glen. You rocked that Gibson SG like no other!
Ground breaking in many ways over looked by many because of their image I loved that I am having schools out played at my funeral, shame the awesome glen buxton wasn't there R.I.P GB.
Alice Cooper is great, I got to see him in concert The Alice Cooper Show in 1978 in Des Moines Iowa it was a fantastic concert, would love to see him again
Sure his new band are great players, but no one plays these tunes like the original - that rhythm section of Dennis Dunaway and Neal Smith is one of the best in rock history, brilliant, ^oo^
Simply one of the best bands ever. They've still got the chemistry when they do get together. Betcha GB was watching from where ever he is (with his cigarette and switchblade, hehe).
The original Alice Cooper (band) are up there with The Stooges, Dolls, MC5 etc - proto-punk rock n' roll at its best. And not many credit them for that. I wonder if Alice Cooper (the man) ever ponders how relevant he once was as a creative member of a great band? Probably doesn't give a fuck, but the music he made with these guys will be his legacy.
This is great to see and they sound great, this was a dream of mine however it included Glen 😢there was nor ever will be anything like the original AC lineup, great songs, great talent, theatrics these guys had it all going on. Alice, Glen, Michael, Neil, Denis, thanks guys, your music will live on forever, ROCK IN PEACE GLEN BUXTON gone but never forgotten✌🏼️👍🏼
I remember when i was 15 yrs old playing school's out on my dad's old record player, and after wards my dad came into the room, who's that he asked, Alice Cooper i replied, Alice he repeated, giving me a strange look enough said, Always been a fan, broke my heart when Glen went upstairs
I bought the Billion Dollar Babies 8 track, put my headphones on and fell asleep. Deep in the night I woke up to the start of Billion Dollar Babies ... never heard it yet and I forgot who I was listening to .... it was so dark and sinister .... I became a hard core Alice fan after that.
I Saw them Live at The New Haven Colosiun Dec 26th,1973,The Girl I would Marry in 1981 was 14 and her Mother was a Chaperone,I was 19,I never realized back then that she would be my wife someday,I actually passed a Joint to her Mother..LOL..What a Night!
These guys were the soundtrack of my life from the get-go of "Pretties for You." Fournier took the name and his band members were then set out adrift. Happy to see 'em together again, just the same.
WOW! The original ACG has the 'feel' to these songs. I've seen the new Alice Cooper backup band and they are terrific, however, these older tunes 'belong' to the original ACG! I was at the opening of Alices' bar back in the '99 or 2000 (wearing my Doug Flutie, #7, Buffalo Bills jersey, I might add), and Alice brought a group of guys on the patio stage to play some tunes. Thinking it was just some locals, I didn't bother to get there to see them at the start. After they started playing some ACG originals, I thought, being a musician, the guitar and drums really have the songs dialed in. When I went to see the band, Mike Bruce (guitar) and Neal Smith (drums) were playing. That added the authenticity the songs crave. At first, I didn't recognize who was playing but I thought, these guys really picked up the patterns and feel exceptionally well! Just amazing! I got into ACG during the 'Pretties For You' and 'Easy Action' days, when they use to play concerts at UB's, 'Fillmore Room' mid 1970's and everyone would walk out, except the guys I was with and myself. Good to see the 'Platinum God', Neal Smith, decided to grow his hair back out, his 'Real Estate' stage, was really beneath him! Mike Bruce has always been underrated as a writer and guitarist; nice to see him rip it up here, and Dennis, always freaked me out when he's do his leg kicks and rolling on the ground moves, while playing like a maniac! Oh, to be young again!
The original band sounded amazing and so did Alice's current band as well. Alice's current band plays the classics very well. New Alice out on July 28th called Paranormal.
Had the privilege of seeing the original band twice...1971 and 1973. Unbelievable what they could do as a live act...musically and visually! Got to see Alice twice more as a solo with other musicians. Still good but not the same. Always loved this band and still do. Wish I could have seen this show but this will do. Thanks for posting!
Dunaway is one of the most criminally underrated bassists in rock. Tremendous stuff here.
Still got all the old moves too! I'm barely halfway through my forties and I'm not even half as limber.
Abbie Hoffman better be glad he did set foot on that stage ! He'd get his kicked ass into Outer Space.
Too true
100%
You are absolutely correct
When these guys were together (The original Alice Cooper Group) they were the best...period.
Totally Agree !!!
Was at the Toledo Sports Arena Dec.13,1976. Billion Dollar Babies Tour. Great stage, frosted plexiglass lit underneath, steps to the right and left and dowward. Played 2 songs and left because they feared for their lives. People getting thrown on stage passed out. Guns being shot over their heads. We stayed for 4 hours bangin our feet but they were home by then. Man I feel cheated but dot blame them in the least, damned low IQ biker idiots Met good ones and some not wrapped too tight. The police presence was astronomical in Toledo driving in.
Completely!!❤️❤️❤️👍👍🤑
Well...they were one of MANY MANY great bands back then. The great "show" bands included AC; YES; David Bowie; ELP; Kiss, and others.
I would honestly say AC was in the top ten...but ELP was #1, with YES & Bowie neck 'n neck for #2.
Absolutely. Superb musicians all.
These are the guys who opened my eyes to what real music was all about!! Starting with the album Killer, when I was 12 years old. RIP--- Glen Buxton ❤☮❤
Very well stated!
The best band Alice ever had!!!!
The original Alice Cooper band..,,... Don't get any better than perfection.......69.and 70s on !!!!!!!!!!!
No other musicians can provide the feel of these songs as well as the original guys can - period.
A real shame Glen Buxton's still not around to be part of this
just watched a video on youtube..someone had his original guitar body..they restored it.. ruclips.net/video/AQlI6qbDg8k/видео.html
..I Know... R.I.P. Glenster 💜
YT has a video of him on his farm. Very simplistic life. Seemed nice but not strung real tight. Looked as if he didn't have much left. He was a little goofy, but I like goofy.
Lol to be fair, GB was not really around even when he was part of it, if you know what I mean.
GB was by far my favorite.
Glen was the maniac who put the edge into the ACG and was the icing on the cake for the great hits!!! RIP Glen, you are sorely missed.
I love how the old timers can show the little kiddies how to play.
Alice cooper, glenn hughes, kiss all in their 60s and 70s and still way more entertaining than the kiddie stuff today
I am sure Beiber and Swifty would get eaten alive at this concert!
@ViridianG and on the other side of the spectrum, lots of light vapid pop in the music of today, it's sad what happened to the music business.
LOVE THESE GUYS.
The original Alice Cooper Group was one of the greatest rock bands EVER.
RIP Glen.
Yeh best ever .👍👍👍
Yeah !
who replace him there?
vince destroyed it read dd book
Absolutely!!
When I was a young man in the 70s THIS was the most dangerous band scared our parents to death. Now they all copy him.
I remember the first time I saw Alice cooper on tv in the 70s and my dad said they were copying screaming lord sutch
@@corzakkzakkcor3309 Probably were!
Literally nobody copies him. Today's music is shit. LOL
my favourite memory is having the most ugliest purple shirt with Alice hanging on it from the killer insert...man I loved that shirt
Yeah they were dangerous !... Parents hated them for years...I loved it !...I was devastated when the original band broke up...then a few years later my mom was humming to "You and me'' on the radio in the kitchen...I was horrified
Went to the mall with my parents in the early 70s and brought a circus or cream magazine with the alice cooper band on the cover. Next day I was in the principals office in school talking to the counselors. God I miss those days! I've met Alice, Mike Dennis and Neal and told them this and they loved it. Neal told me it's people li you that made us famous, On my easy action he signed it Neal Smith ,Thanks Mike!
Good story !!! You are lucky!!
69 years old! This guy is fucking incredible!
Alice Cooper was the king of cool in 1972, and 47 years later (!!!) he still is the king of cool. His voice has this raw mean streak and he has this amazing stage personality. What a true artist. Love to see him on stage again with his old buddies. Why did they ever go separate ways ? They had such fantastic chemistry together.
Forget how awesome Dennis's bass lines are. That was a huge part of their sound!
I love his bass on Dead Babies and Unfinished Sweet!
#facts
60/70's hard rock had some awesome bassist...not just hacks riding single notes
Amazing bass player. So important to the sound.
Dennis and his new bass strings he spoke about. Changed his sound. Rotosound strings.ruclips.net/user/results?search_query=dennis+dunaway+interview
I would pay enormous amounts of money to see a full tour of this. Dennis is brilliant.
TheJontslayer I'd pay a fiver !
They and mostly him has a introspective unique personality. I must get into one of his bands The Brain Surgeons with Albert Bouchard of Blue Oyster Cult and to TOP IT OFF Ross the Boss from The Dictators. Ross now is in his new band called Ross The Boss but I wish The Dictators would get back together but it doesn't look good.
Maybe I'm just showing my age and bias, but I can't recall hearing a better bass sound on a solo Alice performance of I'm Eighteen ever. No offence to anyone that Alice has had in his solo bands but there's a lot to be said for the guys who made the music playing it live. Dennis Dunaway is the man.
I agree, those 'Acoustic' Amps back in the day were, 'Killer'. (Pun intended.) The best Dennis Dunaway, 'death note' I ever heard in all my concerts, I ever attended, was the open notes for 'Hello Hooray'. I remember hearing that, and I thought my chest was going to explode! Almost 50 years later and I still am in awe of that experience! (And yes, I was in bands with Taurus pedals and have see countless International acts using Taurus pedals in concert.) Hello Hooray opening was a whole different experience in and of itself!!!
He is a bass monster and book really good. No Dennis, no Alice Cooper. Same with Neil and Micheal. This lineup should have reformed for at least five years giving everyone an opportunity to catch a legend that disbanded way too early.
@@deathmetaldouglas69 Have you heard Dennis's band Blue Coupe, with Joe and Albert Bouchard from Blue Oyster Cult? Good stuff.
yep
I think that this was one off the best bands ever and Dennis just plays some great stuff.
The only other band that matches up to this with a great bass player is Elvis Costellos first band The Attractions.
Sorry, It's me again. I've said on many of these commentaries that the thing I love is watching old men make great music. They weren't old when they first turned me on, but now superannuated they are still so much better than what the kids have now. God bless them all!!
How can he still sing like that that’s amazing these guys should do an album together that’s great writing ✍️
Those old songs are epic
It literally brought tears to my eyes to see Alice on stage in glam again! About time! And of course Alice, Neal, Dennis & Mike totally picked up where they left off. Ryan Roxie played the GB parts and did them with pride.
What a great lineup of musicians. Killer combination!
We all love them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As a 38 year bass player, I spent years analyzing and playing Dennis's basslines. I wish I could get a bass lesson from him and some insight into how he played those earliest albums, (pretties for you, easy action) because his style is so unique and forward. One of a kind, and musically brilliant! Great to see them together for this gig, sounds like they never stopped.
Cindy....you must either be the lucky MRS. Dunaway or a Dunaway daughter. Cool of you to weigh in. I'm a longtime Tucson boy...now a hair away from being 68....and to put a date stamp on that, the hit "I'm 18" came out when I was a Jr. or Sr. in High School in Tucson and was 18 myself. Like you, I got tears in my eyes when I stumbled onto this vid and saw this reunion of the guys from a show 5 yrs. ago. I sure would love to see this lineup again. Saw them at my high school (Canyon del Oro / CDO) in Tucson when my best bud and I were in Jr. High and snuck into the senior's dance and The Spiders were playing (early Alice Cooper for those not in the know). A few years later, I saw them in Tucson's large new arena venue....several times over the years. What a joy that was.....we'd get SO STONED driving way down to south Tucson to the community center for these concerts, and foolishly drink a lot of beer in the car too. We'd see these Alice shows just blitzed...and well, guess it was a rite of passage.......the guy just blew our little pea-minds every time out. So wonderful to have the ability to see old shows like this on one's own PC. God BLess the Alice Cooper Band....and all it's members, now and past. joelintucson
Seeing them together and hearing them play is the definition of love.
February 4, 1972, my wonderful big brother Mike took me to my very first rock concert: Alice Cooper, Berkeley Community Theater. I was 15. We stood at the stage edge; my brother gave me the best spot, with the consummate, world's most innovative bassist Dennis Dunaway directly in front of me, "Platinum God"/world's greatest drummer Neal Smith and the incomparable Glen Buxton close by, Alice standing just to my left, and world's best composer/rhythm guitarist/keyboardist, "Matinee Idol" Michael Bruce (sigh!) to Alice's right. What a performance! Their music is great, and there is nobody cooler than those guys. When the band started beating each other up during "Street Fight," I was afraid they were really going to hurt each other! I kept shrinking against my brother and grabbing his arm. He assured me, "It's part of the show." When Neal leaped out from behind his drum set, I was impressed - that guy is tall! When he and Alice started a knife fight, I was shrinking against my brother again! That night was unforgettable, so much fun, and it began a tradition that my brother always takes me to see Alice Cooper. A month later, he took me to my second and third rock concerts, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, March 24 and 25, 1972, San Francisco Civic Auditorium. My brother's an amazing musician, and he insisted we go early to the venue so he could see the equipment load-in - he was interested in every detail of putting on a major rock concert. The equipment load-in had just finished and we were about to head for the stage door, where shy little female me hoped to build up the courage to ask for ELP's autographs, when a limo pulled up to the loading dock and out stepped Keith Emerson. Keith gave us a suspicious frown and kept walking swiftly into the venue, but Greg and Carl came out of the limo laughing and walked straight over to us and they could not have been nicer. I could barely glance at them because I was starstruck - I was content to enjoy observing my brother conversing with them. But then he mentioned to them this was my second rock concert, and that he had taken me to my first the month before. Carl Palmer asked me, "Oh, who did you see last month?" I managed to answer, "Alice Cooper." Greg Lake smiled at me and commented, "Ah, Alice. They put on a good show. How do they kill him this tour?" The effect of the gorgeous Greg Lake grinning at me flirtatiously just about bowled over this little girl. I had to rely on my drama class/school play training to attempt to answer. I replied dramatically, "The gallows," and I mimed a noose around my neck and hanging limp. Greg and Carl started laughing, and I thought, "Oh, thank God." Greg and Carl then invited us to stay for their sound check, which turned out to be a full rehearsal of their entire show that night. During which, every time they took a break, Greg or Carl, or both, came and talked with us throughout the afternoon, while Keith appeared to be composing a new piece that later turned up on "Brain Salad Surgery." It was a great day that I love recalling! Moral of the story: the coolness of Alice Cooper somehow enveloped me and enabled me to spend a great afternoon with Emerson, Lake & Palmer!
Forgot to ask. Who opened for alice?
Howlin' Wolf opened for Alice - and he was great, too! I mixed up the concert date: the Alice concert was on February 3, and Alice's birthday (February 4) was celebrated at midnight.
No opening band for this leg of the tour.
WeAreAllOne ExceptForThatGuy first I thought am I evil by diamond head and Metallica then I'm like no heaven and hell by Black Sabbath with dio era and now I'm all like omg 18 by Alice Cooper 🤘😝🤘
+JD McD Thanks, JD! I actually didn't remember an opening act for Alice Cooper - I just remember them coming out and playing, but I thought, am I forgetting? so I looked online, and it listed Howlin' Wolf. I saw Howlin' Wolf a bunch of times at Winterland, opening for different bands, and always was glad to see him - he was not only a great musician, he had a great sense of humor on stage. I appreciate your comment, because I thought, "I don't remember Alice having an opening band - I thought I had a good memory, is it failing me?!" I'm relieved to know I remembered accurately!
I wish I could have seen the Alice cooper band. I have seen Alice solo and it was great but I would have been willing to pay more for the band. The Alice cooper band albums are the best.
I seen the Billion Dollar Babies Tour In Detroit. terryleebolton.com
He had the coolest vinyl records. Billion dollar babies was a billfold with a giant billion dollar bill. And schools out folded into desk. It was a great fun as a kid.
do you still have the panties?
The. REAL Alice cooper band
When I began to play air guitar all my moves were Dennis Dunaway moves. Been an Alice fan since 1971. 11yrs old.
DENNIS DUNAWAY IS ONE OF THE MOST UNDERRATED BASS PLAYER'S OF ALL TIME !!! HE IS ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!!! FROM THE 70'S RIGHT UP TILL NOW !!!!
Ultra slick so cool.
The Ox, Glover and Dunaway!
it's so good to see the original Badass line up at work again!! Dennis Dunaway always led the charge with his awesome Bass lines, and Michael Bruce writing the major hits for the most part in the original Band, and they could count on Neil to key every change. This put chills on me to see the original guys bust out. R.I.P. Glen we miss you.
I am blown away that all those guys at there ages can still get up there and sound that good! Saw them in the 70's with Glen on the Billion Dollar Baby tour and they still got it. Amazing that it takes that combination that really can't be duplicated.
on the billion dollar babies tour glenn,s amps were turned off. two guitarist filled his parts behind the stage. read Bob Greene,s book, Billion Dollar Babies
Sounds so good I forgot their age. Still bringing it.
Great to see Mike Bruce in such good shape.
I remember when the original Alice Cooper band broke up, broke my heart. Wish they had stayed together, that original band was special. Billion Dollar Babies is my favorite album from that lineup.
They were such a great band...original AC group..
me 2 man..I couldn't believe Alice went solo with wtmn..I mean it was a good album I was just bummed out about it
Glad I got to see the Alice Cooper Band 4 times in the 70$. They were awesome.
Halo of flies from the "killers" album is masterpiece. Probably my all time favorite song from Alice ✌
Never gets old, had to come back and be sixteen again...!!!
They can never have a complete reunion because of Glen's passing but this is still great. Michael Bruce is getting himself in shape. Dennis Dunaway is one of my favorite bass players ever! Check out the School's Out album in particular to be schooled on great bass playing.
Yep. I'm sure Glen is looking down from heaven with a smile on his face.
Love Mike Xxx
I saw Alice and the band do 18 in May of 1972. The still sound great. 👍
I am publicly begging the Alice Cooper band to reunite!!! I'm begging!!! Please!!
I feel like I've just stepped into a time machine.....and it's been one of the greatest things in my life. I know things had to change or these guys probably wouldn't be here today, we won't ever forget Glenn. But doesn't it make you feel a little sad at what we missed and what could have been?
Fantastic look at how old they are and they sound fantastic look at the drummer sounds just like the original recording and the guitars also. I would love to see the original band tour so I could go see them. There's never going to be a band like this anymore. The bands now a days suck. Alice cooper original band is number one in my heart. Live long and remember the great times because that's all we have now a days.
The coolest looking band ever.Cover sleeve of BDB was awesome.Neal Smith and his waist length hair was rad.They had the best album covers and inserts.Great songs too.Listening to em since '77.
Love to see'em together. The best. Miss Glen.
This IS what Alice Cooper was ALL ABOUT, from the beginning!!!
The original band - AMAZING!
It was so satisfying to hear Neal Smith do that drum intro on Billion Dollar Babies.
Bradley I know dude, quick and heavy
There's no one like Neal! - No one even close! Every member of the original Alice Cooper had/has a distinctive style and sound (RIP, Glen) that no one can replicate. Not to take anything away from the fine musicians Alice/Vince has worked with since, imo nobody can take the place of Michael, Dennis, and Neal. To me, in a way they're like the American Beatles - if George, John, Paul, or Ringo left the band, they wouldn't be The Beatles anymore. You could put in the best musicians - say, Jeff Beck for George, Ginger Baker for Ringo, Jack Bruce (or Dennis Dunaway!) for Paul - but it wouldn't be The Beatles. It could be a great band, but it wouldn't be The Beatles. Anyway, it's just cool to see the original Alice Cooper (minus, sadly, Glen) playing together again. They're one of a kind. And Dennis particularly looks fantastic and like a day hasn't passed, does he have a painting in the attic aging while he stays youthful à la Dorian Gray?
Yeah! I'm no drummer so I can't describe it but there's something about the timing and the accents he puts in there that nobody else does the same.
The song was written around his drum rift.
I was 10-ish or so in the Killer/School's Out/BDB era. I was OBSESSED with drums, so naturally Neal Smith was my idol. I was going to follow his footsteps into rock drummer stardom. (Needless to say, I can not, and never could, play drums to save my ass.)
After Dads divorce, My sisters albums got moved by accident, to my new home. I was listening to this album in 1976, when I was 6YO. This was the beginning, of my Rock Career.
This is it ... I can recognize the real Alice Cooper in this . At last !
Michael Bruce is doing Glenn Justice here! He’s killing his late friend’s guitar parts. Glen was smiling that night up above in Heaven
Great to see Michael has lost all that weight. They sounded amazing! RIP Glen :-(
Yeah, since they were inducted in the R&R Hall of Fame. Didn't recognize him at first, but I recognized the Yamaha electric he favours. Think its the SG2000 model from a distance with the Bigsby. Awesome guitars. He's looking a lot greyer these days though
That's the old Yamaha with the double cutaway, don't remember the model. They made it like a cross between a Les Paul and an SG.
Glen has also lost a lot of weight
Dick Wagner, filled in for Glen here. Doing well since a stroke. "I might as well be on Mars" Wagner! Trash Album.
Michael Bruce, not Dick, got my guitar hero's goofed up.
Even without Glen they should a reunion tour. This is what Alice Cooper Group was all about. Alice always gets the best musicians money can buy to support him, but it's not the same.
Alice Cooper was my bridge from fm pop to hard rock . My first album was love it to death and both of us are from detroit. Those guys shaped my musical world.
i went from the beatles to coop group
50 or so years later....amazing.
Le canzoni degli Alice Cooper si riconoscono anche per le linee di basso. Dennis è un bassista fenomenale!
I was at this show. My first time to actually see Alice Cooper. I'm a musician that was raised in Phoenix where they started out back in the 60's as The Spiders. What a great concert to not only see his current band , but the original also.
Hometown Detroiter love for the Coop!
A great time capsule from the 70's, they bring that decade to life when playing. Simply awesome classic rock.
Neil Smith is killing it! sounds awesome
When I was 8 or 9 years old, my older brother turned me on to Alice Cooper, probably against my parents wishes. That was in the early 70’s and I have never stopped loving those early tunes.
Pure gold to this day with incredible song writing and musicianship
I saw Alice in 77 at Anaheim stadium the kinks the Tubes and Nazerth played to . It wasn't the original band but it still was a great show .👍
I magically inherited all my sisters records after my dad divorced........I was listening to Alice at 8 YO...before I ever heard of StarWars
Love how they are just having a blast up there
Bob Seger, Gary, lead singer of REO. John Fogarty, they're voices are all changed and not for the better. But Alice doesn't sound like he's aged at all which is really amazing when you consider the hard life he lead for awhile.
Oh I think he sound a bit different. His voice is a bit more gruff now.
So like all the others you mentioned, his voice has aged along with him. The difference is with Vince (Alice) he actually sounds better now, the gruffness lends itself to his songs.
Saw the band in 1973, they were great.
I’m hardly a Alice Cooper fan, never was, but this excerpt was really good. It must have been a terrific show that did their legacy proud.
Im Crying.. Wonderful
So sad that Glen Buxton couldn't be a part of re-creating this magic, but I guess 4/5 of classic Alice Cooper is better than nothing. Rest in peace Glen. You rocked that Gibson SG like no other!
Ground breaking in many ways over looked by many because of their image I loved that I am having schools out played at my funeral, shame the awesome glen buxton wasn't there R.I.P GB.
Alice Cooper is great, I got to see him in concert The Alice Cooper Show in 1978 in Des Moines Iowa it was a fantastic concert, would love to see him again
I saw that same tour same year in Indy. One of my all time favorites.
Sure his new band are great players, but no one plays these tunes like the original - that rhythm section of Dennis Dunaway and Neal Smith is one of the best in rock history, brilliant, ^oo^
Simply one of the best bands ever. They've still got the chemistry when they do get together. Betcha GB was watching from where ever he is (with his cigarette and switchblade, hehe).
The real Alice Cooper Band. RIP Glen.
Saw the band 1973 Dillion Stadium Hartford CT ,listened to killer cd today in car I'm 68 and I like it!!
The original Alice Cooper (band) are up there with The Stooges, Dolls, MC5 etc - proto-punk rock n' roll at its best. And not many credit them for that. I wonder if Alice Cooper (the man) ever ponders how relevant he once was as a creative member of a great band? Probably doesn't give a fuck, but the music he made with these guys will be his legacy.
I'll never forget my first Alice Cooper Show in 1971. That's for sure.
Behold the almighty Alice Cooper band
So jealous you got to see this live.
I loved this when it came out. Just awesome music.
Oh man mit 14 das erste mal Alice Cooper gehört und genau das Album . Meeegaaa, kann mir immer noch anhören . 👏👏😁😁
Ja, Alice ist der Hammer 🤘.
Alice was my daughter’s first concert. Age 4,I think. Yes I covered her ears the entire time.
This is great to see and they sound great, this was a dream of mine however it included Glen 😢there was nor ever will be anything like the original AC lineup, great songs, great talent, theatrics these guys had it all going on.
Alice, Glen, Michael, Neil, Denis, thanks guys, your music will live on forever, ROCK IN PEACE GLEN BUXTON gone but never forgotten✌🏼️👍🏼
I remember when i was 15 yrs old playing school's out on my dad's old record player, and after wards my dad came into the room, who's that he asked, Alice Cooper i replied, Alice he repeated, giving me a strange look enough said,
Always been a fan, broke my heart when Glen went upstairs
Fantastic..! The original Dudes..!
I bought the Billion Dollar Babies 8 track, put my headphones on and fell asleep. Deep in the night I woke up to the start of Billion Dollar Babies ... never heard it yet and I forgot who I was listening to .... it was so dark and sinister .... I became a hard core Alice fan after that.
GB. Dearly missed!
I Saw them Live at The New Haven Colosiun Dec 26th,1973,The Girl I would Marry in 1981 was 14 and her Mother was a Chaperone,I was 19,I never realized back then that she would be my wife someday,I actually passed a Joint to her Mother..LOL..What a Night!
Billion Dollar Babies holiday tour with Bob Green as Santa getting beat up on stage??????
Dillon Stadium, 72...
most rocking band in the world
These guys were the soundtrack of my life from the get-go of "Pretties for You." Fournier took the name and his band members were then set out adrift. Happy to see 'em together again, just the same.
WOW! The original ACG has the 'feel' to these songs. I've seen the new Alice Cooper backup band and they are terrific, however, these older tunes 'belong' to the original ACG! I was at the opening of Alices' bar back in the '99 or 2000 (wearing my Doug Flutie, #7, Buffalo Bills jersey, I might add), and Alice brought a group of guys on the patio stage to play some tunes. Thinking it was just some locals, I didn't bother to get there to see them at the start. After they started playing some ACG originals, I thought, being a musician, the guitar and drums really have the songs dialed in. When I went to see the band, Mike Bruce (guitar) and Neal Smith (drums) were playing. That added the authenticity the songs crave. At first, I didn't recognize who was playing but I thought, these guys really picked up the patterns and feel exceptionally well! Just amazing! I got into ACG during the 'Pretties For You' and 'Easy Action' days, when they use to play concerts at UB's, 'Fillmore Room' mid 1970's and everyone would walk out, except the guys I was with and myself. Good to see the 'Platinum God', Neal Smith, decided to grow his hair back out, his 'Real Estate' stage, was really beneath him! Mike Bruce has always been underrated as a writer and guitarist; nice to see him rip it up here, and Dennis, always freaked me out when he's do his leg kicks and rolling on the ground moves, while playing like a maniac! Oh, to be young again!
Micheal Bruce has lost a lot of weight...We all miss you GB
.. a real rock n roll machine.. :)
I'd pay good money to see these guys playing together..wow!!
That should be the ultimate AC line up. It would be a cult classic for all the fans around the world, and it sounds way better than the current band.
This made me feel good.
Alice was my first concert 15yrs old .Atlanta 1970!
The original band sounded amazing and so did Alice's current band as well. Alice's current band plays the classics very well. New Alice out on July 28th called Paranormal.
Just like the old days, I will be old school first in line to buy Alice's new album!
Goodness. I saw him in the 70's (don't ask), but oh my, he's really good now.
I think this is the best I have ever heard from Alice Cooper just amazing stuff
I was always fascinated by these guys since my older brother Matt turned me on to them,and I loved learning that Dennis helped write
"Billion dollar babies" and "Fields of Regret" are my favorite Alice Cooper songs
Im 60 i saw alice in 1975 welcome to my nightmare tour .i was 15 yrs old. All i could say that itwas spectactualr. ! Scary , never forget it
Had the privilege of seeing the original band twice...1971 and 1973. Unbelievable what they could do as a live act...musically and visually! Got to see Alice twice more as a solo with other musicians. Still good but not the same. Always loved this band and still do. Wish I could have seen this show but this will do. Thanks for posting!
Me and GB ain't never gonna confess. Rest in Peace GB.