Alice Cooper (August 14 1976) – “Ol’ Black Eyes Is Back – Alice Cooper Goes to Hell” Advert – Billboard Magazine

This Billboard advertisement from August 1976 promotes Alice Cooper’s theatrical concept album Goes to Hell. The striking design and tagline — “Ol’ Black Eyes Is Back” — announce Cooper’s return to form, blending shock rock with dark humor and grand visual storytelling.

Publication: Billboard Magazine   Date: August 14 1976 Country: United States

The full‑page advert features Alice Cooper ascending a ghostly staircase, his figure fading into a white‑to‑red gradient that evokes both mystery and menace. The gothic typography of “Alice Cooper Goes to Hell” contrasts sharply with the minimalist background, emphasizing the theatrical tone of the campaign. A smaller inset image in the bottom right corner shows Cooper’s face tinted green, grinning devilishly — a visual echo of the album’s infernal theme.

The tagline “Ol’ Black Eyes Is Back” plays on Cooper’s stage persona, signaling his return after the introspective Welcome to My Nightmare era.

The advert also includes the Warner Bros. Records logo and catalog number BS 2896, confirming the album’s release on both records and tapes.

The design captures Cooper’s fusion of horror, humor, and rock spectacle, positioning Goes to Hell as both a musical and theatrical event.

CONTEXT AND NOTES

Released in 1976, Alice Cooper Goes to Hell continued the narrative of Welcome to My Nightmare, following the character Steven into the afterlife.

The album’s mix of hard rock, cabaret, and storytelling reflected Cooper’s evolution from shock‑rock provocateur to full‑scale showman.

This Billboard advert exemplifies mid‑1970s rock marketing — bold, cinematic, and personality‑driven — appealing to fans of both music and spectacle. It also underscores Cooper’s enduring influence on theatrical rock presentation and album‑art design.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS  

Event: Promotional advertisement for Alice Cooper Goes to Hell album

Era: 1976 – Post‑Welcome to My Nightmare / Theatrical Rock Period

Tone: Dramatic, gothic, and promotional Photography: Stylized image of Alice Cooper ascending a staircase with red‑white gradient background; inset green‑tinted portrait

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS

• Billboard full‑page advert for Alice Cooper Goes to Hell

• Tagline “Ol’ Black Eyes Is Back” and Warner Bros. Records branding

• Visual emphasis on Cooper’s theatrical persona and album artwork

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