Readers’ Page (May 4 1974) Disc

Alice Cooper – “Dead Baby?” feature Disc Magazine, May 4 1974.

Alice Cooper – Feature Excerpt

Title: Alice – A Dead Baby?   Writer: Neil Prestige

The right‑hand column features a striking photograph of Alice Cooper blowing bubbles — a tongue‑in‑cheek contrast to his macabre stage persona. The accompanying article explores Cooper’s theatricality, referencing songs like Killer and Muscle of Love while questioning whether his shock tactics had mellowed since the early ’70s. Prestige writes with wry amusement, noting that Cooper’s blend of menace and humour continues to fascinate fans and critics alike.

At the bottom of the page, the “Alvin Star‑Probe” box invites readers to write directly to Alvin Stardust, reinforcing Disc’s role as a bridge between artists and their audiences. The editorial credits list Ray Coleman as editor‑in‑chief and Lou Goddard as editor, underscoring the magazine’s authoritative yet fan‑friendly tone.

Overview

This lively Disc Magazine reader page from May 4 1974 captures the interactive spirit of mid‑’70s pop journalism — a mix of fan letters, editorial humour, and artist commentary. The left column opens with the headline “Let’s Have a Wizzard Song Contest”, inviting readers to nominate Roy Wood and his band Wizzard for the next Eurovision. Fans write in praising Wood’s eccentric genius and the band’s kaleidoscopic sound, while the accompanying “Rhyming Simon” poetry contest encourages readers to pen verses about their favourite acts — notably Sweet, Mud, and Wizzard themselves.

Below, small ads for record shops and DDD Lotion sit alongside the “Chop Suey” humour column, maintaining Disc’s trademark blend of pop culture and playful irreverence.

Publication Details

• Disc Magazine (UK)

• Issue: May 4 1974

• Section: Reader Page / Letters & Contests

• Features: Wizzard Song Contest / Alice – A Dead Baby? / Alvin Star‑Probe

• Writers: Neil Prestige and Reader Contributors

• Photographers: Uncredited

• Page: 30

Copyright Notice

All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non‑commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.

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