Alice in horror land
Shock rockers such as Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie entertain a new generation of bored teenagers in search of loud music and cheap thrills, but these artists owe much of their look and stage antics to Alice Cooper. Born Vincent Damon Furnier, Alice Cooper made his debut on the national music scene in 1969, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that he made his mark in rock ’n’ roll history with songs like “Eighteen” and “School’s Out.” By the time other rock bands had copied his androgynous look in the early 1970s, Alice had already moved on to a more menacing appearance exemplified by his black eye make-up. His live performances took on a horror-show feel with fake blood, a guillotine and electric chair as his regular props. His mid-1970s albums Welcome to My Nightmare and The Alice Cooper Show were hits and soon almost every kid growing up in the post-Watergate era had an Alice Cooper album. These days, however, Cooper is just as likely to play golf and run his sports-themed restaurant in Phoenix, Ariz., as he is to chop off heads onstage. He brings “The Eyes of Alice Cooper” tour and masquerade ball to Reno 8 p.m. Oct. 30 at the City Center Pavilion, 55 E. Fourth St. Tickets are $38.50-$60.50. Call 325-7401.—Kelley Lang