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Billion dollar baby: A provocative young journalist chronicles his adventures on tour as a performing member of The Alice Cooper Rock-and-Roll Band

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Bob Greene's open-eyed account of the excesses of life as a temporary member of the Alice Cooper road show in 1973-74. Not only do we see the stresses taking their toll on a band just passing their peak, but we also get a fairly nostalgic look at Nixon-era America. Not as much a "Fan" book as it is a nice study of the commercialism and marketing techniques that used to stir teen appeal and parental angst.

The 70s were the days when the Coop was the deal and few could pretend to be more, although some tried. The band wrote, Alice writhed and croaked and all was right with rebellion. Greene tagged along on this tour in late 1973, an ill-fated jaunt that was mercifully short, done to promote the band's swan song, ''Muscle of Love.'' He caught the band in full demise, rife with infighting and animosity towards Alice as he emerged as the Bob Hope of Pop, with his priorities all screwed up - It's the music, Stupid. Most telling are the mini-portraits of each band member that Greene manages to pull together. Bassist Dennis Dunaway as the reticent, family man; the late Glen Buxton as an enigmatic, already haggard young guitarist - and most amazing, Michael Bruce and his tremendous talent all pulled together tightly as the one who brings everybody together. Chances are that readers will be either Cooper fans or Greene fans. Both will be satisfied, but in his ego-less style, Greene extracts himself from the equation and makes this a wonderful sojourn into early 70s decadence.

Columnist Bob Greene goes on the Alice Cooper band's Muscle of Love Christmas Tour in 1973. He is also present for the recording of the Muscle of Love album. He plays the part of Santa Claus in the show and is beaten up by the band at the end of the show each night. Most of the people on the tour know that Greene will be writing about the tour but I don't think anybody quite knew how deeply Greene was going to analyze what he saw and heard. Alice was getting tired of being Alice. He had his eyes set on a Hollywood film career and would eventually move to Beverly Hills right next door to Groucho Marx. Golf, beer and TV were his addictions. Shep Gordon (manager)and Alice began making all the decisons while the band was reduced to back up musicians but even then their power was limited. Glen Buxton (guitar) had become dysfunctional and didn't even play on the Muscle of Love album although his pictures were on the album. On tour his amp was often turned down except during 18 and School's Out but even then sometimes he flaked. He was drunk and belligerent at group interviews and Alice felt uncomfortable practicing with Glen hence their live harmonies were very sloppy because they didn't practice enough. Guitarist Mike Bruce suggested to Shep that they permanently replace Glen with Mick Mashbir the backup guitar player on stage and on the albums but Shep said no. This made functioning as a group very difficult. The band talked about each other behind each others backs and Bob Green printed these comments. Everyone was taking him into their confidence. He never took notes or had a tape recorder so everyone was speaking their mind. Alice was a raging alchoholic at this time. He threw up blood every morning. In any other line of work he would be dysfunctional and be fired but fortunately or unfortunately the demented character he developed allowed him to be totally drunk on stage and get away with it. He was a physical wreck but he did this all to himself. Mike, Neal and Dennis were on all the same tours and were perfectly healthy. You can't blame the work load. The alcoholism surely tainted his view of his situation making him depressed and perhaps colored his view of his fellow band mates.

Eventually Alice goes solo and tries to make it in Hollywood but never plays anything more than a warlock or psychotic homeless person. He does manage to change his public image so most feel he was just acting but loses much ground in the Rock n' Roll world. Welcome to my NIghtmare was fairly big but I felt rode the wave the band had already created. His stock has since plummeted and he is only a small act today playing state fairs and casino parking lots while reunited bands like Aerosmith, Kiss and Fleetwood Mac play arenas and stadiums like the Alice Cooper band used to do. Alice finally gives up dreams of making it in Hollywood and tries hard to get his audience back. He can still sing but the using of close to a hundred different musicians over the past 20 or so years has made his sound...we'll... I've felt he has never matched the power of the original band although he has had some moments.

I read this book when I was 15 when it first came out and it was hard for me to see. My boyish hero bubble burst. I never did get to see these guys live. I saw the solo Alice and it just wasn't the same.
If you can find this book it is a fascinating read. Many insights into human behavior. I felt Green was objective. Drummer Neal Smith hates Bob Green to this day feeling this book destroyed the band. Even Bassist Dennis Dunaway feels thing were taken out of context. Alice has the name legally now even though it was originally the name of the band. He and Shep can now run the show without the band raising objections.

A fine effort, although not as well written as 'Be True To Your School', which Mr. Greene wrote while in high school. Obviously it's best read by Alice Cooper fans, as it chronicles the last days of a very under-rated musical group. R.I.P., Glen Buxton.

I read this book back in the '70s when I was in grade school and I've loved Alice ever since. I think one of the most appealing things is just the fact that Alice really comes off as a normal guy. Compare that to what we have nowadays with the likes of Marilyn Manson who says none of what he does is an act. Like I care moron. I think the one reviewer is wrong who says Alice was able to function as an alcoholic because he was a rock star. Coopers says that when he was totally wasted he would still never slur a word. That's how he was able to function, because he was able to hide it so well from those around him. At least that's my opinion anyway. One thing that I don't think any reviewers have mentioned is the fact that supposedly the band went to great lengths to lie to Greene. So I think some of the situations in the book like Alice telling Greene that he woke up crying about his dog aren't true. And I have my suspicions about the scene where green talks to Buxton and he is described as a complete wastoid. But that is really just speculation on my part. It would definitely be something interesting to research. All in all, I remember this as being a great book. I can't believe it's selling for over 70 dollars a pop. Man. I need a new job.

I read this book in high school. I was lucky enough to see Alice 3 times in the seventies.

The book didn't burst my bubble, but it did make me feel very sorry for Alice. He was in trouble and he didn't have a clue.

Later when he quit drinking I was afraid that he wouldn't be as good, but I was relieved when he jumped out of a trash can on stage and sang "Under My Wheels".

Anyway, the book is great and Bob Greeene gives you a rare look at the world of rock 'n roll long beore "Almost Famous" which clearly provides a very cleaned-up view of that world.

All Alice fans will love it.....we're truly not worthy.

AnneM

Shock-rock band Alice Cooper was one of the hottest concert draws in the world during the early 1970's. Bob Greene joined the group during their 1974 tour, intending to write and publish a book about life on the road with a supergroup. To his dismay, Green wound up chronicling the beginning of the band's breakup. He was touring with a group whose members had an increasing animosity towards vocalist Vince Furnier (Alice Cooper), and who were consumed by money and fame. Greene describes the onstage and offstage excesses, Cooper's alcoholism, the groupies, and the members' unhappiness despite their status. The book is a fascinating glimpse at the decadent world of rock and roll as it was in the 1970's

Bob Greene toured w/ the Alice Cooper Group at their best in 1973. The book captures the wild, zany antics of America's premiere shock rockers. You will come to know the inner workings of the group which many feel were America's #1 musical act of the early '70's

I read this book about 27 years ago as a young lad after seeing him perform the Welcome to my Nightmare tour. Have been looking for it recently but understand it is out of print. It spoke of his hard drinking days, and I'd like to have another look. Come on Alice cooper fan club maybe we can get it re-published.

Want the ins/outs of the touring as a rock superstar? Look no farther!

Billion Dollar Babies has it all!

The private jet, throngs of willing groupies, money, recording studios, limos, egos out of control, envy, etc. The reader get a feel of it all thanks to a great job by the author.

The problem is the book is out of print!

However, if you ever find it in a second-hand book store be sure to pick it up.