Metal Bulletin Zine: Alice Cooper's Nightmare and Subsequent Redemption

Rock fans know the name Alice Cooper and know the name of the game: shock horror theatrical rock. The shock rock on stage has been a defining characteristic of Alice Cooper’s legendary career for more than 50 years. The theatrics have served his career well—too well, in fact. The persona and theatrics have worked so well that sometimes we forget that behind the spectacular circus of the macabre is a man of flesh and blood. The business of entertainment and the world of rock music are no place to preserve your sanity. Behind the persona of Alice Cooper there is a man who has reached the greatest heights of the business and has fallen to the lowest of lows that are often secret, hidden from public view. Nowadays, when you mention substance abuse and rock music, lots of names come up—L.A. bands infamous for lip-synching, Bay Area bands notorious for their drinking habits, and British bands with big budgets dedicated to purchasing illegal drugs.

However, the case of Alice Cooper’s addiction to drugs and alcohol is a tale of downfall and redemption through the power coming from an unexpected helper.

Alice Cooper (born Vincent Damon Furnier in 1948) has been a major name in shock rock since the 1960s and 1970s, but Cooper says that something was wrong: “The persona I created was a mask to hide my insecurities. I was lost inside, trying to find my purpose, and I turned to drugs and alcohol to numb that pain. I thought I was invincible. We’d be out on tour, and I’d be drinking heavily, doing whatever it took to keep going. I didn’t realize how much I was destroying myself, or the people around me.”

His marriage to Sheryl Cooper was in bad shape. “I was a mess. I was selfish, angry, and constantly under the influence. I didn’t see how much I was hurting her, or our daughter, Calico. I was headed for a disaster I couldn’t see coming.”

In the late 1970s Cooper’s health and marriage were in trouble. “I was drinking to escape everything—my fears, my doubts, my loneliness. I never thought I’d get off that treadmill. There were nights I didn’t know how I’d wake up the next morning, and I didn’t care. One night, I woke up in a hotel room, hungover and empty. I looked in the mirror and saw a broken man. That was the moment I realized I was killing myself and everything I loved.”

In 1983, after years of problems, Cooper’s course began to change. “I was at my lowest point. I didn’t want to live anymore, and I certainly didn’t want to keep hurting the people I loved. That night, I prayed—really prayed—and I asked Jesus Christ to save me. I knelt in that hotel room and said, ‘God, if you’re there, I need you now more than ever. Please help me.’ And I felt this overwhelming peace wash over me. It was like a light turned on inside my soul.”

His wife Sheryl remembers, “Seeing him turn to God was a miracle. He was a different person—more humble, more loving, more present. It was as if he had finally found his true purpose.”

Alice has said, “That night changed everything. I realized I’d been living in a fog, trying to fill a void that only Jesus could fill. I finally understood what real salvation meant—a forgiveness that’s bigger than any mistake I’d ever made.” His wife Sheryl has observed, “Watching him surrender his life to Christ was the greatest gift I’ve ever received. It gave us hope, healing, and a new beginning. Our marriage, which was almost broken beyond repair, was restored through faith and love.”

Sheryl also adds, “There were many nights I wondered if we’d make it,” she admits. “But I held onto my faith, trusting that God was working behind the scenes. Seeing him walk in the light after years in darkness was a miracle—proof that nothing is impossible with God.”

Alice shares a powerful story from that era. “One time, I was about to relapse. I remember feeling the temptation so strongly, and I knelt in my hotel room. I prayed, ‘God, I can’t do this without you,’ and suddenly, I felt a strength I knew didn’t come from me. That was the moment I truly surrendered.”

Alice Cooper has been sober for a long time, happily married, and deeply committed to his faith. “God healed me in every way,” he declares. “He restored my marriage, my relationship with my daughter, and gave me a purpose beyond music and shock theatrics.” Sheryl agrees, “Our relationship is stronger than ever. Our faith keeps us grounded. We’ve learned to forgive and to trust in God’s plan for our lives.”

Cooper now uses his platform to inspire others. “I want people to know that no matter how lost or broken you feel,” he says, “Jesus can change your life. I’ve seen it happen firsthand.”

It may be surprising to learn that a major figure of shock rock, whose music and shows have horrified more than a few people, has something in his personal life that he wants to tell people about—but it’s true: “God’s grace is real. And it’s never too late to turn things around.”

Alice Cooper - Hey Stoopid (Official Video)