Alice Cooper Group (October 1, 1973) – “Muscle Of Love” Cover/Feature - Beetle
Updated: 6 days ago
Spread across eight pages, this substantial Beetle feature places the Alice Cooper Group at the centre of an extended examination of the band during the making of Muscle Of Love. Written by Bob Dunne, the article combines observations from Toronto with extensive comments from Alice Cooper, examining the group's history, theatrical reputation, relationship with its audience and determination to remain a genuine band rather than simply a vehicle for its frontperson.
Publication: Beetle
Date: October 1973
Country: Canada
Under the headline “Muscle Of Love”, Bob Dunne meets the Alice Cooper Group in Toronto, where the band had been based for two weeks while continuing work connected with its new album. The feature opens by looking back at the group's long relationship with the city, noting that Toronto had provided support during an earlier period when the band was still struggling for wider recognition.
The article describes the recording environment at Sound Studio, where the group is pictured working together. Alice Cooper is presented alongside Dennis Dunaway, Neal Smith, Michael Bruce and Glen Buxton, with the article stressing the importance of viewing Alice Cooper as a complete group rather than concentrating solely on the singer.
This distinction becomes one of the central themes of the feature. Alice Cooper argues that media coverage too often treats the group as if only one member matters. Alice acknowledges the importance of the lead role but insists that every member has an essential individual contribution and expresses frustration when reviews refer simply to “Alice this” and “Alice that”. The music and theatrical presentation, Alice explains, are created collectively.
The article also examines the band's earlier struggles. Alice recalls periods when money was scarce, while explaining that difficult experiences had made the group more sympathetic towards other emerging artists. Despite achieving major success, Alice says the band retained memories of what it was like to struggle within the music industry.
Much of the discussion concerns the group's notorious theatrical presentation. The feature talks about the themes of sex, violence and social behaviour surrounding Alice Cooper's stage work, while Alice explains that people sometimes misunderstood the intentions behind the performances. Rather than instructing audiences what to think, Alice describes the act as something designed to provoke individual reactions.
Alice also reflects on younger followers and argues that audiences should not simply be told what to think. The feature presents the group's
performances as deliberately challenging, encouraging people to confront ideas and decide for themselves how to interpret what they see.
The new album, Muscle Of Love, provides the backdrop throughout the six-page feature. The article describes the group working on material and preparing the project while documenting the personalities and working relationships within the band. The result is as much a portrait of the Alice Cooper Group as a collective as it is a report on the forthcoming record.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
The October 1973 issue of Beetle places Alice Cooper prominently on its cover with the line “ALICE COOPER: talks about his Muscle Of Love.” The cover photograph provides a striking introduction to the extensive six-page article inside.
The feature is particularly focused on the collective identity of the Alice Cooper Group. The article makes clear that Dennis Dunaway, Neal Smith, Michael Bruce and Glen Buxton are integral to the music and presentation, reflecting Alice Cooper's own frustration at seeing the other members overlooked.
Toronto also plays an important role in the story. The article recalls the band's earlier experiences in the city and describes the group working there again as preparations for Muscle Of Love continued.
Across the six pages, Bob Dunne combines studio observations, discussion of the group's history and lengthy comments from Alice Cooper to present a detailed portrait of the band during 1973.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: Six-page Alice Cooper Group feature during work on Muscle Of Love
Era: 1973 Muscle Of Love era
Tone: Candid, detailed and band-focused
Photography: Cover photograph together with photography accompanying the six-page feature
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
• Six-page feature titled “Muscle Of Love” by Bob Dunne
• Alice Cooper discussing the importance of the Alice Cooper Group as a complete band
• References to Dennis Dunaway, Neal Smith, Michael Bruce and Glen Buxton
• Discussion of the group's history, stage presentation and relationship with its audience
• Behind-the-scenes observations from Toronto during work connected with Muscle Of Love
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