Alice Cooper goes with God: 'Shock-rock' pioneer now 'dedicated to follow Christ'

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Friday, March 1, 2002

[JohnHuang2]

Alice Cooper says he loves God but doesn't want to become a 'celebrity' believer.

The father of shock rock whose music and stage antics have outraged parents for more than 30 years told how the fear of hell turned him to God.

Alice Cooper, who sang about necrophilia and chopped up baby dolls during his concerts, said that although he continues to record and tour with a theatrical horror-style show, "My life is dedicated to follow Christ."

Although he became a Christian in the 1980s, apart from brief comments in some interviews the 54-year-old singer has always been guarded about his faith – until now. But in a frank interview with a Christian music magazine, he spoke at length publicly for the first time about his love for God and reluctance to become a "Christian celebrity."

A chart-topper with the teen anthem "School's Out," Cooper – who legally changed his name from Vince Furnier – has been credited with paving the way for the likes of today's outrageous performers such as Marilyn Manson.

Cover of Cooper's latest album, DragonTown

But he maintains that his act was never political or religious and always had "a sense of humor." He told HM: The Hard Music Magazine that he was always insulted whenever he was accused of being satanic. Raised in a Christian home, he still believed in God, although he was not committed.

That changed when alcoholism threatened his marriage. He and his wife, Sheryl, attended a church with a "hellfire pastor." Cooper said he became a Christian "initially more out of the fear of God, rather than the love of God ... I did not want to go to hell." Interviewed for HM's March/April issue, Cooper views his faith as "an ongoing thing."

"Being a Christian is something you just progress in. You learn. You go to your Bible studies. You pray," he said.

He has avoided "celebrity Christianity," because "it's really easy to focus on Alice Cooper and not on Christ. I'm a rock singer. I'm nothing more than that. I'm not a philosopher. I consider myself low on the totem pole of knowledgeable Christians. So, don't look for answers from me."

Yet he has been able to speak to others in the music scene about his faith.

"I've had a couple of people that were friends of mine that I've talked to that have vocally said they have [accepted Christ]. I have talked to some big stars about this, some really horrific characters ... and you'd be surprised. The ones that you would think are the furthest gone are the ones that are more apt to listen."

Songs on Cooper's more recent recordings have hinted at his change of heart. He sees his stage persona now as "the prophet of doom," telling people: "'Be careful! Satan is not a myth. Don't sit around pretending like Satan is just a joke.' I think my job is to warn about Satan."

He no longer performs some of his older repertoire. Any song promoting promiscuous sex and drinking "gets the axe," he said. "I'm very careful about what the lyrics are. I tried to write songs that were equally as good, only with a better message."

Cooper told HM he answers his critics: "'I was one thing at one time, and I'm something new. I'm a new creature now. Don't judge Alice by what he used to be. Praise God for what I am now.'"

[CheneyChick]

Paul said that God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. I don't think that principle has been revoked.

Brilliant, Don Joe. You are absolutely right.

Cheers, CC :)

[dubyagee]

Christianity is better off without him, and you can't say that about too many people

Interesting you should say that, I thought the same thing about the Yeatts parents...

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

I always did like the Coop...thought Love it to Death was the bees knees when I was a wee pup. It's great he's reached such a comfortable place in his life.

Schhol's out for summer!

[reagan_fanatic]

Alright, Alice! Way to go!

Don't give up, my friend - the road ahead will be a hard one, but what's at the end will be worth the trip!

God bless you!

[bray]

Born Again means becoming a new creation. His sins are completely forgiven and forgotten by God. Most people have a problem with forgiveness. Praise God for his Mercy.

Pray for GW and the Truth

[billbears]

example of christianity his past will never let him be a good example to non-believers. They'll just see his past and think he's a hypocrite (as if we need anymore of that)

The adulteress, the Roman soldier, Paul, all of us as a matter of fact. If the worst among us becomes saved how much more is it a witness to others who might be in despair themselves thinking there is no hop

[Lancey Howard]

I once went to a concert at Bucknell University, circa 1975, which opened with Rush, followed by Kiss, and headlined by Blue Oyster Cult. Each successive band felt that they had to out-volume the previous band. And this was in a gym or a "field house" or something so the acoustics were not good to begin with. It was not an enjoyable concert. I literally had a headache for three days. That was the worst.

[fish hawk]

Alice Cooper has lived here on Maui part time for years. I've seen him in my friends restaurant without his showbiz face paint etc. He would be with his gorgeous wife and children and was nothing but the nicest person you have ever met. I can't help but believe that the rest was simply showbiz. If this is true, God be with him and his family.

[fish hawk]

A true Christ loving Christian would never make a statement like that. Would Christians be better off without Paul, he was killing Christians you know, and I believe that would make him a worse person than Alice Cooper.

[ARA]

Well Said.... I really hate it when the holier than thou's come and judge.

[Marysecretary]

If he has a good testimony, he can touch these hard hearts who speak against him. If his sincerity shows through, God can work through him. Just because he looks freakish may be just the thing that God can use to reach the kids (or adults) who go to the concerts. I praise God for Alice Cooper's redemption!

[wattsmag2]

I just mean as an example of christianity his past will never let him be a good example to non-believers.

The you have a problem with someone like, say Paul?

[RightRules]

People would be amazed to know the kind, level-headed man that is Alice. He's truly a great guy. The way you seem him in Wayne's World is the way he is. He is not pretentious and is quite friendly. He also has a great golf game.

G*d bless, Al!

[Bobby777]

cool!

[Old Fud]

Fear of the Lord, is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs)

...but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Kinda nice to know that Al turns out to be no fool. I was never a "fan", but I always thought he churned out absolutely top notch hard rock.

Welcome aboard, Al.

[stainlessbanner]

people were openly smoking pot there

Ewwww! Pot at an Alice Cooper show? No way! < /sarcasm>

:^)

[dixiemelody]

Christianity is better off without him, and you can't say that about too many people
What a terrible thing to say. And I don't believe Christ would agree with you. One once lost child found his way to his Father. Christians should be estatic that one of their brothers found his way home. And we should be praying for the many other lost souls.

[Walkin Man]

Good for you Brother Alice! (heh heh)

I bet a lot of people will be flabbergasted to find Alice Cooper singing in God's Heavenly Choir while some well known and respected "Christian" artists may never make it through the Pearly Gates!

Jesus came to save sinners and He loves all of those tattooed, pierced, freaky-looking death-metal loving people as much as anyone else! He can save ANYBODY! Praise His Holy Name!!

[MSCASEY]

This does not surprise me at all. The music has for several years been laced with tones of being a Christian. I owned a nightclub in So. Calif. for 2 1/2 years and when someone came in one night that was a satan worshiper when the band took a break I had my d.j. dedicate Cleansed by Fire done by Alice Cooper to her. The song is exactly as it sounds. I have been telling people for years he was follower.

[Dallas]

As we grow older, mortality takes on a whole new meaning....I suspect that's what has taken place with him..