Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper started as Vincent Furnier in the late 1960s, fronting a band that took his name. Their early theatrical shows used guillotines and fake blood, which drew criticism from some quarters who saw it as promoting violence or satanism.

In 1972 they released "School's Out," a song that became an anthem for teenage rebellion. The track's sneering guitars and dismissive lyrics about the education system captured a mood that resonated far beyond the shock theatrics.

By 1989, Alice Cooper had a major commercial hit with "Poison." The song's slick hard-rock production and darkly catchy melody about toxic attraction showed the act could adapt to the late-80s rock scene while keeping their thematic edge. Other songs like "I Never Cry" and "How You Gonna See Me Now" demonstrated a more vulnerable side to the character.

The band's lineup has included guitarists Glen Buxton and Michael Bruce, bassist Dennis Dunaway, and drummer Neal Smith alongside Furnier. Their discography runs from early albums like Love It to Death and Killer through to later releases such as Brutal Planet and Welcome 2 My Nightmare.