Alice Cooper (May 1973) Alice Tours With Monster Tooth – Feature

Publication: Circus Magazine Date: May 1 1973

Country: United States Section / Page: Feature / pp. 64–66 Format: Three‑Page Tour Feature

 / Band Profile

Overview

A three‑page Circus feature examining the scale and spectacle of Alice Cooper’s 1973 touring production — a theatrical rock extravaganza that blurred the line between concert and stage show. The article captures the group’s transformation into a full‑blown arena phenomenon, detailing props, illusions, and the band’s evolving stagecraft during the Billion Dollar Babies era.

“And now, America’s own Billion Dollar Baby … the legendary Alice Cooper,” screamed the intro tape as the curtain lifted on the most amazing show in the history of rock ’n’ roll wizardry.”

The Story Behind It

By spring 1973, Alice Cooper had become America’s most theatrical rock export. Barbara Graustark’s Circus feature chronicles the band’s elaborate touring setup — from guillotines and flash‑paper pyrotechnics to magician Amazing Randi’s illusions and the infamous “Colgate Kid” dental‑drill routine. The article highlights the group’s commitment to spectacle: a portable Broadway‑scale stage, laser beams, and costume changes from white to black silk. It also profiles each band member — Glen Buxton’s recovery from illness, Neal Smith’s rat‑jacket costume, and Mike Bruce’s rhinestone‑studded piano performances — underscoring the physical and creative intensity behind the tour. The piece closes with Alice’s reflection on his evolving image: less shock for shock’s sake, more stylised theatre — “Alice Cooper the teacher of the kids.”

What the Clipping Shows

• Page 1: Alice Cooper’s haunting black‑and‑white portrait under the headline “Alice Tours With Monster Tooth.”  

• Pages 2–3: Colour‑tinted band photographs — Neal Smith in his rat‑jacket, Glen Buxton recovering post‑surgery, and Mike Bruce at the piano.

• Text blocks describe the tour’s technical feats, from the “Unfinished Suite” dentist sequence to the laser‑beam finale. • The layout typifies Circus magazine’s early‑’70s design: bold imagery, theatrical captions, and densely packed reportage

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Related Material

• Alice Cooper (May 4 1974) Dead Baby – One‑Page Feature   A sensational Disc Music Newspaper article pairing Cooper’s soap‑bubble photograph with a fan’s lament over his musical evolution.

• Alice Cooper (May 10 1973) Inside Alice – Feature   The Rolling Stone cover story exploring Cooper’s theatrical psyche and the mechanics behind his Billion Dollar Babies tour.

• Disc – Readers’ Page (May 4 1974)   A companion Disc section capturing fan letters and reactions to Cooper’s mid‑’70s press coverage and stage persona.

• Additional entries listed in the scrapbook tag index

Source Details

Publication: Circus Magazine Date: May 1 1973 Format: Three‑Page Feature / Tour Profile Provenance Notes: Original 1973 magazine feature documenting Alice Cooper’s U.S. tour spectacle

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© Copyright Notice — Alice Cooper (Circus Magazine, May 1 1973)

All original magazine photographs, artwork, and text remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This scrapbook entry is a transformative, non‑commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference

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