Alice Cooper: “It’s Not Guillotines I’m Afraid Of, It’s Needles” – Reflections on Fear, Fame, and the Detroit Rock Scene

Alice Cooper: “It’s Not Guillotines I’m Afraid Of, It’s Needles”

In the fourth installment of an exclusive interview series with classic rock icon Alice Cooper, we delve into some of the more personal and philosophical sides of the man behind the makeup. After previously discussing infamous moments, music industry giants, and his enduring career, Cooper now speaks about his biggest fears, his experiences in Detroit’s iconic rock scene, and what he hopes to be remembered for.

Detroit Rock City: A Scene Unlike Any Other

When asked about his hometown, Detroit, and its influence on his early music career, Cooper painted a vivid picture of a city alive with raw energy and talent.

“Los Angeles belonged to The Doors. They really embraced us when we were nobodies, and we even opened for them for a while. Robby Krieger played on our last album. San Francisco had The Grateful Dead, but we didn’t fit in there. New York was into The Young Rascals, and down South it was the Allman Brothers. We didn’t fit into any of those places.”

Detroit, however, was a different story.

“We once played an outdoor festival there when nobody had heard of us. Before we went on, I saw MC5 perform. I was blown away – they were incredible. Then Iggy and the Stooges took the stage, and I thought, ‘What is this?’ Iggy was something else entirely—wild and powerful. His band was basic but packed a punch.”

Cooper described Detroit as a place where hard rock thrived. “If you went to Detroit, you had better bring it. That audience demanded attitude and power. Every weekend it was us and the Stooges, or MC5, or Ted Nugent. It was the healthiest rock scene I’ve ever seen. Detroit from 1968 to 1970 was on fire.”

Fear Factor: Boredom and Needles

Despite his stage persona involving pythons and guillotines, Alice Cooper revealed that his real fears are much more grounded.

“There are two things I’m afraid of,” he said. “One is boredom, because boredom leads to depression. I’ve only had a touch of depression once in my life, and it was the worst feeling I’ve ever experienced. I decided then that I would always keep myself busy, and I’ve stuck to that.”

The second fear? Needles.

“I can put my head in a guillotine with a 40-pound blade swinging eight inches above me, and I’m fine. I can have a python wrapped around my neck. But ask me to get a blood test, and I freak out. That said, I’ve gotten better with needles, thanks to dental work and the COVID era. I had to do a lot of blood tests, and I’ve somewhat adjusted. But the fear’s still there.”

On Wealth and Artistic Integrity

Although estimates place Alice Cooper’s net worth around $50 million, he insists money was never his motivator.

“You’re right—I never got into music for the money. I always believed it would come eventually, but that wasn’t the point. When we did School’s Out, it was a big production and cost a lot of money. Billion Dollar Babies was even bigger—it ate up most of our funds. Then came Welcome to My Nightmare. I put everything I had into that show, every last penny. So did our managers. It was a huge gamble, but it paid off. It became the biggest show in rock and roll at the time.”

He emphasized that the real goal was always to create unforgettable performances. “I never wanted a yacht or a private jet. I just wanted people to leave the concert saying, ‘That was the best show I’ve ever seen.’ That was—and still is—my focus.”

A Rock Legacy Etched in Theater

As for how he wants to be remembered, Cooper embraced his role as a pioneer of theatrical rock.

“I think Alice Cooper should be remembered as rock’s Ziegfeld or Barnum & Bailey. I have no issue with that. We brought theatrical spectacle to rock. We saw the potential of combining music with visuals and made it big, bold, and unforgettable.”

He adds with a chuckle, “On my gravestone? I’d like it to say something like, ‘I’m standing right behind you,’ or maybe, ‘The show must go on.’”

With no signs of slowing down at 77, Alice Cooper continues to captivate audiences, not with shock value alone, but with a deep love for performance, relentless energy, and a touch of dark humor. Whether confronting fears, reinventing rock theatrics, or recalling the gritty power of Detroit’s music scene, he remains a larger-than-life figure—equal parts icon and storyteller.