Steel Notes Magazine | 35
Ezrin told Alice that the band did not want to work with him any more . The band flew to LA without Bob Ezrin , and Alice lived in Malibu . There was no cohesion in the album , the band got frustrated and they all wanted to do solo albums . Bob said that it was not a good idea to take a year off . Shep understood that if Vince were to go out solo , he should own the name , because he was the character .
Photo by Sheri Bayne
Being a lead vocalist myself , I understand how the front person very often gets more attention than the rest of the members and can wind up taking on the persona of the name of the band it is representing , like I have done in my bands , like Bang Bang Betty ( which is not my name !). I can also understand the point of view of how the rest of the band felt slighted , as stated by Dennis Dunaway , who co — founded the band with Vince . To them , Alice Cooper was the name of the band collectively , and not singularly with one person representing them .
When Alice Cooper became a solo artist , it was evident that Alice Cooper — the band — was then over , and it also was a separation of friendship and it meant having to leave Dennis behind .
Alice was scared to go out on his own and to a new beginning without the band . Welcome To My Nightmare had Vincent Price , and dancers . He met his future wife Sheryl , who at 18 years old was the most beautiful dancer in his show , and recalled how she seemed to float onstage . According to Sheryl , she remembers how he was all dressed in white , with flowing black hair and gorgeous blue eyes . They got lost in conversation about their childhood and found out they were both pastors ’ kids , and started looking forward to those moments more than anything else . His solo career took off and he was happy and in his glory .
As time went on he became Alice all the time , drank all the time , and lost himself in the character until it began to consume him . An intervention was needed , so Shep Gordon found a hospital in upstate NY near his home . He was away from everything and eventually every day he felt a little better . When
Photo by Sheri Bayne
Steel Notes Magazine | 35