Alice Cooper donates $10,000 to give an aspiring young metal band a kick-start
Planet Rock’s very own Alice Cooper has personally donated $10,000 (£7,670) to the Wacken Foundation.
The shock rock legend was speaking at a press conference ahead of his performance at Germany’s Wacken Open Air Festival on Saturday (5th August) when he made a surprise pledge.
Alice said he’d donate the sum to the festival’s non-profit foundation, which dedicates itself to the advancement of young artists of the rock and metal scene, so that a new talented band has the chance to record in a studio for the first time and get a kick-start in the industry.
On the back of the international success of his new album ‘Paranormal’, Alice was asked what it is about rock and metal music that still connects with young fans.
“It’s the only music with attitude,” Alice said. “Most of your little rock bands out there are very introvert, they’re not extrovert like metal bands are when they do a show.
“(Non-metal) bands seem to be kind of like inside and not letting it go. We’re the only bands that get up on stage and really give the audience a show, that’s what it’s supposed to be.”
Unprompted, Alice added: “There is a Wacken Foundation and ear(MUSIC) and Alice Cooper is going to give $10,000 to Wacken just to promote young bands to get young bands an attitude. That means young bands are going to learn to be outlaws again instead of inlaws.
“Hopefully there’s (a) young band right now in the garage learning the songs y’know. I mean the whole thing about being rock and roll is it’s all about attitude, it’s all about your swagger on stage. You just can’t get up there (and say) ‘oh, I hope you guys like me tonight’. You’ve got to get up there and grab them by the throat and shake them.”
Wacken added: “The Wacken Foundation is supporting young bands that otherwise probably wouldn’t get a good start in this business. So that actually helps the scene… and helps to follow the legacy that Lemmy has, that Alice Cooper has.”
As well as offering the band a slot at Wacken Open Air, Wacken added that Alice’s money could be used to help “get (the band) started, get the merch deal, get demos done, get the stage set… that will set a band on track.”
Alice played a gloriously macabre 18-song set at Wacken Open Air that culminated with his cover of Motörhead’s seminal anthem ‘Ace of Spades’.
As reported yesterday, shortly after Alice exited the stage, the 80,000-strong crowd joined in a sing-along to Motörhead’s recently unveiled cover of David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ in tribute to Lemmy.
You can watch the spine-tingling footage right here.
Alice Cooper’s ‘Paranormal’ debuted at number six on the UK album chart; his highest chart entry on these shores in 23 years. The record has also dented the Top 10 in Germany, Australia, Belgium, USA, Sweden and Finland.
Supported by The Mission and The Tubes, Alice plays a total of five headline arena dates this November. Alongside the full Alice Cooper performance, the shows will also feature a mini-set with his original band members Dennis Dunaway, Neal Smith and Michael Bruce.
Tickets to all shows are available from Planet Rock Tickets now.
See Alice at the following shows:
NOVEMBER 2017
Leeds First Direct Arena - Sat 11th
Glasgow The SSE Hydro – Sun 12th
Birmingham Barclaycard Arena – Tue 14th
Manchester Arena – Wed 15th
London The SSE Arena, Wembley – Thu 16th