Alice Cooper says rock music and politics 'don't belong in the same bed together'
'I don't ever talk politics… I hate politics.'
Last updated 2nd Feb 2022
Planet Rock’s very own Alice Cooper has shared his views on rock music’s connection with politics and says he believes they ‘don’t belong in the same bed together.’
Alice recently spoke to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay to celebrate the launch of his North American tour when the conversation moved to his relationship with his fellow Michigan native Ted Nugent.
Nugent, of course, regularly spouts his conservative political views and is a board member of the National Rifle Association and a vocal supporter of the Republican Party.
Commenting on Nugent, Alice said: “Ted and I grew up together in Detroit, and he's always been the mouth that roared. When he gets going, nobody can stay with him. I kind of look at him as his own entity. I don't ever talk politics… I hate politics.”
Alice continued: “I don't think rock and roll and politics belong in the same bed together, but a lot of people think it does—because we have a voice, and we should use our voice. But again, rock and roll should be anti-political, I think.
“When my parents started talking about politics, I would turn on the Stones as loud as I could. I don't want to hear politics, and I still feel that way.”
He added: “My music and my show is designed to give you a vacation from CNN, you know what I mean? I'm not preaching anything up there, and I'm not knocking anybody.
“If I do a thing like on “Elected,” which we would always do during the elections, and I’d bring out Trump and Hillary to fight, and both of them would get wiped out! That's what was funny about it. If you're in the political theatre, you’d better be able to take a joke. So, that’s OK. I don't mind the satire of it, but I don't ever go up there and tell you who to vote for.”
Alice’s comments echo those he made in an interview with The Guardian four years ago, when he said: “I don’t like to mix politics and rock’n’roll. I don’t look at Bono, Sting and Bruce Springsteen as political. I look at them as being humanitarian. I’ll contribute to anything humanitarian. Helping people who can’t help themselves.
“But when musicians are telling people who to vote for, I think that’s an abuse of power. You’re telling your fans not to think for themselves, just to think like you. Rock’n’roll is about freedom – and that’s not freedom.
“I want my shows to take you as far away as possible from politics. It’s supposed to be an escape from the world we’re living in.”
Alice Cooper graces the UK in May and June 2022 for a six-date co-headline UK tour with The Cult. Tickets are on sale from Planet Rock Tickets now.
Alice Cooper and The Cult’s UK tour dates:
MAY 2022
Swansea Arena – Mon 23rd
London The O2 – Wed 25th
Manchester AO Arena – Fri 27th
Glasgow The SSE Hydro – Sat 28th
Birmingham Resorts World Arena – Mon 30th
JUNE 2022
Leeds First Direct Arena – Wed 1st
Buy Alice Cooper and The Cult tickets
You can listen to Nights with Alice Cooper on Planet Rock each weeknight. It broadcasts at 7pm on Monday, 10pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and 11pm on Thursday.