Bruce Springsteen knows a historical crossroads when he sees it. And Republican retiree Alice Cooper thinks you’re a moron. Springsteen told an interviewer this summer that he and his band had spent the last 25 years socking away a nest egg of credibility in the minds of the millions who count themselves among his fans. “There comes a moment when you… return to article
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Reader Comments (38)Page 1 of 1 pagesJust a small note… Alice Cooper is hardly a retiree. He is currantly touring his latest CD, “The Eyes of Alice Cooper” and is going back in the studio in November to begin work on his nest CD. He does a nightly syndicated radio program called “Nights with Alice Cooper”. He owns two Alice Cooper’stown restaurants, in Phoenix and Cleveland. Recently appeared in a commercial for Staples among other promotional endeavours. Not only that but hosts his own annual celebrity golf tournament in Phoenix plus the Alice Cooper’s Christmas Pudding event for chartity. Alice Cooper may be many things but retired is not one of them.
Posted by Wayne Hawk on Sep 20, 2004 at 5:51 PM I think artists tell us something about our collective soul.
right now, that soul is crying out in protest, and now has the power of the internet, the thing that changed everything BEFORE that day that changed everything. Back then, artists were not this collectively pissed off nor as organized.
Or maybe they were and just didn’t have as easy a target.
Posted by mdhatter on Sep 20, 2004 at 10:04 PM I am not listening to rock stars for information regarding my vote in 2004. I am informed and excited that others are informed as well. The fact that some of these informed voters happen to be rock stars or actors or famous in any way does not impeach their credibility or their right to speak their minds. These folks could damn well keep their mouths shut and live off the Bush tax cuts (as they are in the bracket that benefits most from them) but choose to take a different path. No one is telling me how to vote, but it sure is nice to know that others, like Bruce Springsteen are of like mind.
Posted by Scott Anderson on Sep 21, 2004 at 1:45 AM I’d love to see the show, and I’d love to be rid of Bush ASAP, but like the Chicago White Sox who threw the 1919 World Series, or any number of fighters who have taken a dive for money, the Democrats seem hell bent to lose, regardless of how important this election is, how badly the Republicans have messed up domestically, how badly Bush and the neo-cons have screwed up in Iraq, or how their criminal neglect of their duties contributed to 9/11. Kerry deserves to lose, just as Gore did, because only someone who wants to lose would miss so many oportunities to win. We are being betrayed and conned into believing that the Dems are an opposition party. They are to the Republicans as the Vichy French were to the Nazis, as the concentration camp capos were to their captors, they seem to suffer from the Stockholm Syndrome and exhibit no desire to break free. If Clinton had been in office on 9/11 and been as derelict as Bush, Cheney, Rice, Ashcroft, Wolfie & Pearle, people would swear he was in on it. But in Bush’s America, no one pays a price for anything except telling the truth.
Posted by Ken Brown on Sep 21, 2004 at 5:34 AM I think I recall the “boss” speaking his mind before this when he wrote in defence of the Dixie Chicks and their right to freedom of speech on his website. Don’t criticise him for only taking a major stance now… just be glad he is doing it. And btw.. why is it only the celebrities who speak out against the Republicans who cop bitter criticism - often very personal (eg. Dixie Chicks, Barbara Streisand, Michael Moore etc.) - while ultra conservatives such as Arnold Schwarzenegar (no idea how to spell that!) get elected to high office??!!) I guess freedom of speech is directly related to the opinion you are expressing being agreeable to the far right!
Posted by Paisley Vespa on Sep 21, 2004 at 7:13 AM Ken Brown has hit the nail on the head.
Ever since Bill Clinton and Al From sold the Demoplicans to the Republicrat ownership the Demoplicans have been trying to sell their “distinction without a difference”.
In fact the ownership regards the Demoplicans as their fall back position. If they somehow botch their main card… well they win anyway.
We Americans of course are in the position of “Heads they win, tails we lose.”
We can expect to hear the loser chorus of “Ralph Nader made us lose!” on November 3rd.
Posted by John Francis Lee on Sep 21, 2004 at 11:19 AM I can’t add any more to what Wayne Hawk has said so well. Alice is certainly NOT a “retiree” and, if the writer had been more well informed, he would not have written that stamement. To Jason I say, Alice CAN speak for himself on this matter and has done already on radio. He is too busy to surf the Net, looking for dumb articles like this one though!
Posted by Maggie Bond on Sep 21, 2004 at 2:10 PM Paisley Vespa wrote:
“...why is it only the celebrities who speak out against the Republicans who cop bitter criticism - often very personal (eg. Dixie Chicks, Barbara Streisand, Michael Moore etc.) - while ultra conservatives such as Arnold Schwarzenegar (no idea how to spell that!) get elected to high office??!!)”
The answer is in the example you cited, Paisley. One side gets criticized while the other gets elected to office because one side is obviously more popular than the other. Schwarzenegger, by the way, is not an ultra-conservative by any stretch. The Dixie Chicks caught hell because what they said pissed off a lot of people. When you do that you get criticized.
I don’t know exactly what you meant by “freedom of speech,” but if you meant that guaranteed by the Constitution it has no application to your examples. The Constitution provides that “Congress shall make no law…” restricting the freedom of speech. It doesn’t guarantee anyone the right to piss a lot of people off without being criticized, boycotted, ect. So, to answer your question, freedom of speech has nothing to do with your opinion “being agreeable to the far right.”
Posted by Ralph on Sep 21, 2004 at 3:39 PM While Alice’s remarks may seem harsh to those who are close minded, he is right… rock n’ roll and politics do not mix well.
And what do you mean “Alice needs to speak for himself?”
He is NOT retired. I just saw him a month ago in concert and he has the same if not more energy and eccentricity than 30 years ago.
Posted by Steven on Sep 21, 2004 at 8:13 PM I just want to see that concert! My decision has already been made on the election, but that is going to be one awesome concert.
Posted by Vinod on Sep 22, 2004 at 3:59 PM I think it’s astonishing that it took the selection of GWB to get these artists politicized. Too little, too late in my opinion. After all, the rightwing machine didn’t take power in a day - the rightwing takeover began in earnest with Reagan. It would be extremely naive to think anyone can make much of a difference now, after America’s leading institutions have all been turned into organs of the GOP.
In my view, only the 9-11 Truth Movement has the ability to fundamentally reverse Republican hegemony. When the truth about how the attacks were actually planned and executed by the Bush administration comes out, we will have a scandal that will make Watergate look like a picnic. It will put the GOP out of the running for a generation.
Springsteen and Co. would do much better to use their tour to promote the cause of 9-11 truth.
Posted by Carl Wernerhoff on Sep 22, 2004 at 11:45 PM Presumably Alice Cooper is a Republican because he’s a moron.
Posted by Jimmy James on Sep 22, 2004 at 11:48 PM After Dubya won in 2000 I very distinctly remember thinking “That stinks, but oh well. How much harm can he do in 4 years?” Who knew? The author’s critique of Springsteen’s timing is classic example of perfect-vision hindsight.
What a blessing it is to have the freedom to speak your mind and stand up proudly for what you believe in - whether you’re an American icon or an American peon like me. And how dare anyone try to strip any one of us of this right through bald accusations, petty innuendo, outright intimidation, or by hypocritically questioning someone else’s love of this land and its constitution? If Bruce & co want to use their mics to call it as they see it, I applaud them for refusing to be intimidated.
Me, I love Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, and many of the others but I’m not the record buying type. I think I’ll start now. Someone needs to say “Thanks.”
Posted by Lisa on Sep 23, 2004 at 1:10 AM I haven’t followed Mr.Coopers career for quite some time, it’s good to hear he’s doing well in his twi-light years.Is he still singing about teenage angst?Does he continue to dress up in tights and wear make-up on stage?Just wondering.
Rock&Roll; has many different personas, faces and idiosycracies. Acts that entertain to provide an escape and performers that reflect relative and contemporary issues are two.
I’ve always thought of Mr.Cooper as an entertainer,a darn good one, and Mr. Springsteen as a reflection of the times we’re living in.Entertainers entertain.Some do both.
It’s easy to paint Rock&Roll; with a broad brush,one can even say moronic.
Posted by J.Kase on Sep 23, 2004 at 1:44 AM Alice Cooper is not a “she”. But you’re right about the stinking thing.
Posted by Susan on Sep 23, 2004 at 2:12 AM Carl,
How I wish the truth could come out about 9/11 and be accepted.
Trouble is, this “administration” has such a tight lid on everything in the press so it can instantly attack anything exposing it for the horrible thing it is.
Look at how they smokescreen the Bush record and his miserable failures by attacking Kerry’s Vietnam record. When Bush was too lazy to even show up for Guard duty. Guard duty!! As a pilot, even. A job filled with tons of perks. And do you know how easy it is to make up UTA’s? You can in your spare time, especially if daddy says so.
And every book, movie, statement, document found with facts exposing Bush is somehow “unrelated” or came from someone “with an axe to grind” or with “political purposes”. No kidding. The purpose of removing that human waste in the White House.The internet is still looked at as something conspiracy theorists get their news from—when it’s really the only source of free information we have now. That is until the Singapore style of censorship is enacted. And I’m sure that would be for national security concerns. /rolling eyes.
If this happens, I have faith in my fellow citizens, despite the neo-cons, that information will still get out. Americans always find a way around something like this. Tell us we can’t do something and see how the interest picks up and how defiant we become.Tar and feather Bush!
Posted by Neil on Sep 25, 2004 at 3:47 PM It is interesting that people are saying that rock stars shouldn’t speak their mind while they are spewing their own view all over the internet. These rockers are Americans and have the right to say what they wish, whether you agree with it or not. They have a stake in this election as well as you or I.
Posted by Jeremy on Sep 25, 2004 at 9:55 PM Mr. Springsteen and other’s in the entertainment industry of course have a right to use their art to protest what is going on. It’s not only the American thing to do but is an intrinsic part of any artist worth their salt to protest through their art political malfeasance and unjust social circumstances.
Alice Cooper was never a “rock star” that I listened to and wouldn’t consider him comparable to Bruce on any level. I have no recollection of his value to the genre other than a sideshow freak with snakes and pyrotechnics.
I have no problem with groups of artists and entertainers speaking their minds but I do have a problem with the collective press being derelict in reporting the news and telling the truth instead of wasting so much time in nonsensical side issues. If they had been doing their jobs we probably would require rock and roll artists scrambling at the last minute to reach people and shaking them up to make a difference.
If Bruce Springsteen and the other artist/musicians can raise money and excite their fans to be politically active then they are to be commended.
Posted by BAM on Sep 26, 2004 at 2:59 PM What is the conspiracy theory regarding that horrible day except that Osama bin Laden successfully managed to put this country into a collective coma while we allowed a president to elevate himself above the smoke as our leader to seek revenge upon the perpetrators. He set his sights on Iraq and many people support his resolve to stop and kill as many people as he chooses in the name of freedom.
And all of those that opposed that war are “unpatriotic’ and giving aid and comfort to our enemyies.
What about all those that have given their lives? Over a thousand of our own and over twenty thousand Iraqi cilvilians!!
Our commander in chief claims he has no regrets, sleeps well at night, and he plans on staying the course. So, our troops are expendable, civilians are unfortunate collateral damage and we will prevail with or without the support of most of the civilized world.
The president’s opponent is painted as someone the terrorists are hoping wins. So, if I understand the inference correctly, better than half of the American voting public also supports the terrorists.
The languge in this campaign is far beyond what has been acceptable in the past and the media is
failing to do their jobs and referee the food fight.
The only thing in our antiquated electoral process that still means something is “every vote counts” (if of course its counted) so, vote!
Posted by BAM on Sep 27, 2004 at 3:35 PM Am I the only one wondering why this article focuses on “The Boss” and not REM. REM has consistently fought for the environment, gay and lesbian rights, civil liberties, etc for well over a decade and its no cooincidence they are one of the bands on this tour, and I would bet more of an organizer of it than “The Boss”
Posted by Richard on Sep 28, 2004 at 5:40 AM Again gotta just say something reading this I gotta wonder why this is a story and Rock Against Bush, presented by Punk Voter, headlined by Anti Flag is not. Punk has taken over where Bob Dylan left off consistently addressing social issues and the plight of our militarialistic society. The majority of the bands on Rock Against Bush, especially Anti Flag, continously post political news concerning the misdeeds of Bush and links to other political organizations and leftist news sites on their websites. They frequently address world inequality in their songs yet this story is about “The Boss”, Fuck That
check out Rock Against Bush:
http://anti-flag.com/
Posted by Richard on Sep 28, 2004 at 5:44 AM First, I’m glad Bruce and the other artists are doing the shows. I understand that in 2000 the vote in Pennsylvania was determined by an average of 2 votes per district, so every vote matters. If they can shine a light on the importance to the identity of this country and the upholding of the Constitution in removing the current gang from power, great.
I don’t think that in 2000 anyone was imagining what happened on 9/11, and I don’t think anyone imagined the opportunistic response by Bush, Rove, and Halliburton. Maybe seeing how 3000 deaths in New York have been used to justify a war that has killed another 1000 Americans and put us in danger of an economic and moral collapse has hit hard, and Bruce and his fellows are doing what they can with what they’ve got.
Posted by C.D. Smith on Sep 28, 2004 at 12:39 PM In the months leading up to the 2000 election I was terrified that horrible things would happen if George Bush and Company got their grubby little paws on all the power this nation has to offer.
I couldn’t understand why the media so gleefully cheered on the Right Wing when they went after Clinton, ignoring the corrupt means used to chase him or why they repeated one Right Wing lie about Al Gore after another, completely ignoring the facts.
I was mortified when I learned that there were members of my husbands skilled labor union who were willing to vote for George W. just because he promised them a big tax break.
People should know better now, but they’ve all agreed to place the blinders firmly over their eyes in the name of “patriotisim” because G.W. and the media told them that it’s the right thing to do “during a time of war”.
If Bruce Springstien and the rest of the brave artists involved in this can wake just a few people up to the fact that we are worse off now than 4 years ago because of George Bush, his policies and his ilk then God bless them. They are, after all, taking the chance that they’ll be “Dixie Chicked” by the media circus, what was once the Fifth Estate.
Posted by Sandra isn't over it on Sep 28, 2004 at 5:59 PM Richard,
Good call.Punk has been a clear,articulate,continuous and loud voice for socio-political change going on for generations.As you know, Anti-Flag and friends are carrying on a fine tradition.Punk is,was,and always will be.The music is but a part of it.Cut the oldsters some slack.What Springsteen’s doing takes a fair amount of influence,money and networking,which is what the movement needs.
With so many groups,cliques,races and disenfranchised coming together for a common cause underscores the awareness and need for change.Anything that any of us do, is what needs to be done.
And then there’s Hip-Hop….
Posted by J.Kase on Sep 29, 2004 at 1:14 AM It doesn’t matter whether or not you agree on this, but, the real truth is, it will be up to the Amerikan citizens to decide who will lead them in the coming crucial years. If you elect Bush, you will be held responsible for your decision, and it will be you who will reap the harvest you sow. The world is watching, and awaits your decision. You get the government you deserve, and the consequences of those “war president” policies.
Good luck, you are going to need it.
Posted by Michael on Sep 29, 2004 at 5:26 PM But, we republicans got some real star power with that “achy breaky heart” guy… but hell, who care about all that anyway, my supporters OWN the TV networks, radio stations and concert venues… we own: the airwaves, the message and you… and based on what we’ve gotten away with over the past 4 years, i would hope you’ve finally figured out just how damn gullible Americans really are.
Posted by GW Bush on Sep 30, 2004 at 9:06 PM Thanks Dumbya,finally a wee utterance of a small piece of truth.Psycho-therapy and medication seem to be helping.You still have an over inflated sense of self though.Your minions and do-badders own some of the airways and part of the message.Thinking that you can own free will and democratic ideals proves you need to up the dosage on the psychotropic drugs.
One day at a time George.
Posted by J.Kase on Oct 1, 2004 at 12:03 AM Dan’s readers may not know this, but he was actually a decent cartoonist while at college. Maybe he should try that gig again.
Posted by NMU Alumni on Oct 1, 2004 at 4:41 PM Poor Alice! And I was feeling sorry for him because he had to do TV commericals to make money. Obviously he was on so many drugs that he totally missed the 70’s when musicians sang many songs that moved the young to protest against the Vietnam war, such as Country Joe McDonald; Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young, Barry McGuire, & forgotten others whose lyrics and pain reached thousands of college students and young people. Being in tune with the masses shows insight and now some brave Rappers of all people are singing about it. Alice doesn’t seem to remember what it is like to be young and idealistic. Isn’t it funny that a guy named Alice supports Arnold who is famous for shaming “girlie men”!!! I have liked much of Alice’s music and he seems to be bright, but guess he isn’t politically informed as he supported President Regan’s administration now famous for the Iran Contra and Iraq attack on Iran, while the Bush administration dumps Afganistan and attacks Iraq. Helps to have lots of money doesn’t it Alice? You of the anti-establishment movement seems to have changed with your riches. And now I totally agree with Jimmy James. Shame on Alice Cooper. I salute Bruce, REM, John Couger, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and company for having the courage to want to make a difference and not care about the monitary issues they may face. Our lives do depend on it as do the lives of or Nat. Guards and young people.
Posted by bobby on Oct 3, 2004 at 8:22 AM The highest art is both provocative and timeless.
That excludes the Billion dollar baby.
Posted by Chris Rayray on Oct 12, 2004 at 5:12 AM Punx not dead! A high-fisted salute to Anti-Flag by one who does actually display the stars-n-stripes. Paradox? Maybe, but the punk attitude of demystifying authority and making damn sure no one stupidly thinks they can control your mind and heart is the kind of thing that America should be proud of! Even if it did start in Britain, haha! :-) As for Alice, guess he got rich, or at least wishes he had.
Maybe, like Dennis Miller, he just got spooked by 9/11. Easy to understand, but still sad.
Posted by Kuya on Oct 12, 2004 at 10:21 AM Punk isn’t music,style,“rebellion” or even a 20thcentury phenom.It’s attitude.An idea and way of life that has been around for millennium.It questions and tests and breaks down popular paradigms,status quo be damned.It keeps us from losing our humanistic traits and keeps what is inherently evil in check. The fight is an ongoing stuggle and won’t end with this election.
Posted by HotRox on Oct 14, 2004 at 11:15 PM Its so ironic how the lirics from one of his songs rings more true today than back in 1973 when Nixon[?]was president.
Elected
Alice Cooper
(Cooper/Bruce/Buxton/Dunaway/Smith)I’m your top prime cut of meat, I’m your choice,
I wanna be elected,
I’m your yankee doodle dandy in a gold Rolls Royce,
I wanna be elected,
Kids want a savior, don’t need a fake,
I wanna be elected,
We’re all gonna rock to the rules that I make,
I wanna be elected, elected, elected.I never lied to you, I’ve always been cool,
I wanna be elected,
I gotta get the vote, and I told you ‘bout school,
I wanna be elected, elected, elected,
Hallelujah, I wanna be selected,
Everyone in the United States of America.We’re gonna win this one, take the country by storm,
We’re gonna be elected,
You and me together, young and strong,
We’re gonna be elected, elected, elected,
Respected, selected, call collected,
I wanna be elected, elected.“And if I am elected
I promise the formation of a new party
A third party, the Wild Party!
I know we have problems,
We got problems right here in Central City,
We have problems on the North, South, East and West,
New York City, Saint Louis, Philadelphia, Los Angeles,
Detroit, Chicago,
Everybody has problems,
And personally, I don’t care.”
Posted by fan-static on Oct 18, 2004 at 3:25 AM Actually, I am a classical music fan, always was, always will be. It must be the Schubert String Quintet in C that is telling me to vote the Democratic ticket this year.
Posted by Marton on Oct 18, 2004 at 11:45 AM The fact that Alice Cooper wrote a song like elected shows that musicians can not distance themself from politics. His political [apolitical] position was cinical, and i dont blame him. But also demonstrated back then [circa, 1973 billion dolars babies album]and today the necesity of a political alternative to the duopoly, the two party sistem in the USA. Its a shame that the american people thimk that a vote for the republocrats, the lesser evil, its going to solve the problem and end war in iraq. A third party a new party is a necesity. But the people have the answer not a new war president. Maybe Alice dosnt remember that he wrote this fascistic song, but it can give us some clues on what is to be done to bring real change. To show the world that the americans realy care.
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