Sex, no drugs and rock'n'roll: how Alice Cooper keeps going
The godfather of shock rock has revealed the secrets of his ability to continue to scare from the stage aged 77 — taking his wife on tour and raging against the dying of the light.
Alice Cooper, whose eponymous band was formed in 1964, said he thrived on disproving people who thought he 'would not be able to move around very much' on stage as he prepared for 100 tour dates this year alone.
Cooper was speaking as the original incarnation of the influential band — minus one deceased guitarist — prepared to release its first new album in 50 years, The Revenge of Alice Cooper.
'I am still touring full blast at the age of 77 like I always have,' Cooper said. 'Although none
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Tatler Asia
26-05-2025
- Tatler Asia
Exclusive: Meet Jess Khan-Lee, the actress making Hong Kong shine in the latest ‘Mission: Impossible' movie
Above Official Trailer of 'Mission: Impossible–The Final Reckoning' How did it feel to be part of such an iconic franchise? Surreal. I'm not sure it will ever truly hit me. I've pinched myself every day since I got the offer. Mission: Impossible is cinematic history that has spanned 30 years. It draws audiences into cinemas. It's thrilling, emotional and spectacular. Mission: Impossible 2 was the first one I ever saw, and I watched it every weekend for two months. What can I say, I'm a fan. Everyone who works on Mission: Impossible puts so much passion, heart and dedication into making the best movie they can. Audiences can feel that. And to be part of The Final Reckoning is a gift. Sports play a pivotal role in your life—how have they been empowering you, and in what ways do they differentiate you in today's film industry? I started dancing when I was two, competing by the age of seven and working professionally by fifteen. It's a part of my identity. It taught me perseverance, work ethic, artistry and a strong connection to my body. These are essential life lessons. From there, I got into martial arts, mainly Muay Thai and wing chun. I'm also an avid rock climber. The skills have definitely helped to set me apart and open up opportunities and roles. I have a TV series coming out this year, and my dance and martial arts skills caught the director's eye and gave me an edge. I booked a musical because I had climbing and acrobatic tricks in addition to my dance. Anything you can add to your arsenal—anything that makes you more uniquely you—might be exactly what someone is looking for. Above Jess Khan-Lee has been practising Muay Thai for years (Photo: Instagram / @jesskhanlee) Above Jess Khan-Lee started dancing at age two (Photo: Instagram / @jesskhanlee) Above Dance taught Jess Khan-Lee perseverance, work ethic, artistry and how to connect with her body (Photo: Instagram / @jesskhanlee) Above Jess Khan-Lee is also an avid rock climber (Photo: Instagram / @jesskhanlee) As a Hong Kong-Canadian actress, how do you infuse your Asian heritage into your performances, especially within the mainstream film landscape? I don't feel I've yet had the opportunity to infuse my Asian heritage into a role as such. But I have a deep longing to. My Chinese heritage means so much to me. In whatever roles I get next, I'm really hoping to be able to incorporate that. That being said, I am proud to be part of the representation on screen. And in the latest video game I have coming out this year, Directive 8020 , I did the motion capture for an Asian character named Cooper. Have you encountered specific challenges related to your identity as an Asian woman in the acting world? How have you navigated and addressed these obstacles? Being Eurasian, I often audition for roles that are specifically marked as Chinese but am passed over because my appearance isn't perceived as 'Asian enough.' There are very few roles for mixed race, which is a representation I'd love to see more of on screen because it's a true reflection of the world. We're seeing more progress and open-mindedness with diverse casting, which is encouraging—but we still have a way to go. You've been dancing for Canto-pop idols, from G.E.M. to Hins Cheung. How was your experience working with them, and how did it shape your career trajectory? G.E.M. was my first world tour and one of my first jobs in Hong Kong. Over eight months, we toured across China, Canada, the US and the UK. When I joined, I had just two days to learn the choreography for the 2.5-hour show. It was a real test of my focus and work ethic. G.E.M. was giving 100 per cent every night to her fans, and as dancers, we held the same privilege and responsibility. And she had incredible fans! The atmosphere at every show was electric. Shortly after, I was featured dancing in Hins Cheung's You music video. He is genuinely such a lovely person and the video was beautiful. With your work in video games like Apex Legends , how do you perceive the convergence of voice acting and traditional performance? What aspects of this duality do you find most rewarding? My first experience of doing full performance capture—voicing the character, doing the motion capture (mocap) and having my likeness used (my face)—was for Fort Solis . Previously, I had only done mocap, which is just the body movement for the character, while someone else handled the voice. There are different technical aspects to consider in performance capture compared to screen acting—the mocap suit and the head camera to capture facial expressions require adjustments. Also, the energy needed when you're just standing at a microphone recording your voice is different. I realised I had to give it more vocal variety and heightened emotion than I initially anticipated. The fun thing about performance capture is that you have to use your imagination to the fullest—there are no sets or costumes to help you. You're essentially on an empty 'volume' (stage) and imagining everything that will be computer-generated around you later. It's like being a kid again. What are your favourite things to do when you're back in Hong Kong? I used to live in Shek O Village, so it holds a very special place in my heart. The beach barbeque, the noodle shop, the temple, the winding alleyways and Dragon's Back. I also love just walking through the streets, taking in the sights and people that make Hong Kong iconic and why so many of us call it 'Home Kong.' And—I'm serious—the MTR! Now living in London, I desperately miss the MTR.
Irish Daily Star
23-04-2025
- Irish Daily Star
Story behind Alice Cooper's name as band set to reunite after 50 years
News of Alice Cooper's band reuniting for a new album has led to a renewed interest in the origins of the band's name. This marks the first time in 51 years that the band has regrouped, and the story behind their name remains somewhat enigmatic. A popular myth suggests that the band derived their name from a Ouija board session, but this theory has been debunked. One fan took to Reddit to share this legend, writing: "The legend says the band got the name 'Alice Cooper' from a Ouija board." However, another fan clarified that this tale was fabricated, and the true genesis of the group's name is far more clever than the sensationalism of Ouija boards. In reality, the band selected the name Alice Cooper to provide a stark contrast to the darker theatrics of their music. When the band disbanded, the lead singer legally changed his name to Alice Cooper to continue touring. A post on the r/todayilearned subreddit explains: "Alice Cooper was originally the name of a band. To avoid legal complications when he started his solo career, the band's lead singer had his name legally changed so he could continue to tour under the Alice Cooper name." Fans have since lauded the 'School's Out' songwriter for his dedication to the band and his decision to change his name. The band is set to reunite for the first time in over half a century and release a new album this July. Drawing parallels between the reunion and riding a bike, Cooper reflected on the band's seamless return to the studio to lay down tracks for 'The Revenge of Alice Cooper'. He mused: "Isn't that funny after 50 years? All of a sudden it just falls into place." Bob Ezrin, the producer behind the scenes, observed that despite the passage of time, the band's essence has remained remarkably unchanged since their peak. He noted that while their collaborative efforts have matured, the signature "interplay" that defined the band in the 1970s remains intact. Alice Cooper will release their first album together in over 50 years (file) (Image: Matthew Baker, Getty Images) In an interview with Billboard, Ezrin shared: "I watch the interplay between them, it's like they just walked out of high school and were hanging out in the local café. "They just revert to type. They revert to who they were as kids when the first got together... and make music together like they did 50-some years ago." A 14-track album, slated for release in July, pays tribute to the late guitarist Glen Buxton, who tragically passed away at 49 in 1997. Cooper expressed his desire to recapture the band's original magic, acknowledging that while his vocal style has evolved, the themes explored in their music remain as dark as they were during the band's heyday. He elaborated: "The original band has a darker sound, and a heavier sound. It's a very different personality, and I even sing differently when I sing with those guys."
Irish Daily Star
23-04-2025
- Irish Daily Star
Alice Cooper Band reunites for first album in 50 years featuring late Glen Buxton
The original Alice Cooper Band is set for an epic comeback , ready to drop their first studio album in half a century. Branded The Revenge of Alice Cooper, fans can mark their calendars for the July 25 release, a grand sequel to their 1973 hit Muscle of Love. It's history in the making as shock rock legend Alice Cooper, at 77, gets back with bandmates—guitar genius Michael Bruce, bassist Dennis Dunaway, and beats master Neil Smith. The squad has also roped in Nashville's hotshot guitar slinger Gyasi Hues. Offstage, they're weaving magic with legendary producer Bob Ezrin, who crafted their top-charting soundtracks like Love It to Death, Killer, School's Out, and Billion Dollar Babies. Read More Related Articles Today Show fans thank NBC as Jenna Bush Hager announces 'incredible' Hoda Kotb replacement Read More Related Articles Netflix series described as 'way better than Yellowstone' stars Irish actor Eoin Macken "It was very much like this was our next album after Muscle of Love. Just like, 'OK, this is the next album.'" Alice spilled to Billboard. "Isn't that funny after 50 years? All of a sudden it just falls into place." Alice Cooper is returning at 77 years old (Image: Getty Images) Even Glen Buxton, the iconic guitarist we lost in 1997, makes his mark posthumously on the spirited track "What Happened to You" and a remix of "Return of the Spiders," featured on the deluxe edition, reports the Mirror US . And Bob Ezrin, a maestro who's shaped the sounds of Aerosmith, Kiss, Pink Floyd, and Deep Purple, admits the studio reunion felt just like old times. "None of them has changed much as a person. Obviously everyone's older and more mature and more settled, but when we all get together and I watch the interplay between them, it's like they just walked out of high school and were hanging out in the local cafe. "They just revert to type. They revert to who they were as kids when they first got together... and make music together like they did 50-some years ago," he said. The lead single "Black Mamba" will debut on April 22 during Alice's own radio show, Alice's Attic. The project marks their first full-length studio album as a group since the '70s, though they briefly reunited in 2021 for Alice's solo album Detroit Stories and previously released a live album, Live From The Astroturf, in 2018. Fans on social media reacted quickly. One fan expressed their excitement, "I'm looking forward to the Alice Cooper album. I've always been a fan! It was my dad when I was a kid telling me about how great the Beatles were, Alice Cooper as his proof to convince me and convince me he did!" Another fan was more skeptical, "Oh my. I haven't really bothered with 'new' Alice Cooper for about 20 years. But this... I wonder if the Alice Cooper band can pull it off." Other fans were thrilled, with one writing, "Never thought I'd see the day," and another adding, "Bring it on! I'm so here for this!" A fifth fan couldn't contain their excitement, posting simply: "Omg is this real? ! ? ! Please don't toy with my emotions!"
