ALICE COOPER To Break Ground On Phoenix Youth Center

July 31, 2006

Dennis Wagner of The Arizona Republic reports that Alice Cooper is teaming up with Grand Canyon University in Phoenix to establish a $3 million youth haven featuring a school of rock 'n' roll, a concert hall and sporting attractions similar to a Boys Club.

"It's a sanctuary where they don't get shot, they don't get stabbed, they don't have to worry about somebody trying to sell them drugs," said Cooper, whose songs include hits such as "No More Mr. Nice Guy" and "Welcome to My Nightmare".

Cooper conceded that some parents might view him as unlikely, if not objectionable, in the role of a philanthropist bringing morality and religion to America's youth.

He has been labeled one of the "bad boys" of rock, and even his New York publicist, Cheryl Lawson, described the scenario as "just weirdly strange."

"It's a great juxtaposition," Cooper agreed. "Trust me, I walk that tightrope every day . . . Part of the fun is the edge of it."

The ALICE COOPER GROUP was renowned for drunkenness, debauchery and morbidity. It's revolutionary rock theater — featuring snakes, guillotines, executions and all sorts of ghoulishness — was condemned by the likes of Tipper Gore and Ann Landers.

But Cooper said those who understand his shtick recognize that the show has always been a blend of farce and satire. They also know that the band's leader became born-again 16 years ago when he quit booze.

Since 1995, Cooper has overseen Solid Rock Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides funding to children's causes and college scholarships to Christian students.

Comments Disclaimer And Information

BLABBERMOUTH.NET uses the Facebook Comments plugin to let people comment on content on the site using their Facebook account. The comments reside on Facebook servers and are not stored on BLABBERMOUTH.NET. To comment on a BLABBERMOUTH.NET story or review, you must be logged in to an active personal account on Facebook. Once you're logged in, you will be able to comment. User comments or postings do not reflect the viewpoint of BLABBERMOUTH.NET and BLABBERMOUTH.NET does not endorse, or guarantee the accuracy of, any user comment. To report spam or any abusive, obscene, defamatory, racist, homophobic or threatening comments, or anything that may violate any applicable laws, use the "Report to Facebook" and "Mark as spam" links that appear next to the comments themselves. To do so, click the downward arrow on the top-right corner of the Facebook comment (the arrow is invisible until you roll over it) and select the appropriate action. You can also send an e-mail to blabbermouthinbox(@)gmail.com with pertinent details. BLABBERMOUTH.NET reserves the right to "hide" comments that may be considered offensive, illegal or inappropriate and to "ban" users that violate the site's Terms Of Service. Hidden comments will still appear to the user and to the user's Facebook friends. If a new comment is published from a "banned" user or contains a blacklisted word, this comment will automatically have limited visibility (the "banned" user's comments will only be visible to the user and the user's Facebook friends).