Big Apple Dreamin’ (Hippo)

The Zoo Crew is spinning Big Apple Dreamin’ (Hippo) by Alice Cooper from the 1973 album Muscle of Love, and Zoo Freaks, you’re in for some wild trivia about this track! The song’s title nods to the Hippopotamus club in New York City, a hotspot the Alice Cooper band frequented during their early days. It captures the gritty allure of the Big Apple, with lyrics dreaming of escaping small-town Ohio for the skyscrapers, subways, and United Nations of NYC. According to Wikipedia, the song reflects the band’s fascination with the city’s energy, a place “waiting to swallow us down.” Fans on Reddit call it a hidden gem, with one user, AreYouItchy, saying it’s their favorite despite its lack of airplay due to Muscle of Love’s shift from the band’s usual theatrical sound. The track’s raw, string-enhanced rock vibe, as noted by Subjective Sounds, makes it a standout, though it’s rarely been performed live since 1974, per setlist.fm.

Another cool tidbit comes from the song’s production. Muscle of Love marked a departure from producer Bob Ezrin, who was absent due to illness or, as bassist Dennis Dunaway revealed in a 2011 interview, a fallout during rehearsals over Woman Machine’s arrangement. Guitarist Michael Bruce stood up to Ezrin, leading to Jack Douglas and Jack Richardson taking the helm. This shift gave the album, including Big Apple Dreamin’ (Hippo), a grittier, less polished sound, which Cooper described as “more guts” and “more balls” in a 1973 interview. The song was also covered by Rick Tedesco, as noted by SecondHandSongs, showing its lasting niche appeal. On X, Cooper’s team celebrated the album’s 1973 release, quoting Creem’s praise of it as “a magnificent effort,” highlighting its enduring cult status among fans.

Now, let’s dive into how Alice Cooper got started. Born Vincent Damon Furnier in Detroit, Michigan, on February 4, 1948, Cooper grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. His journey began in high school at Cortez High, where he formed a band with friends Dennis Dunaway, Glen Buxton, Michael Bruce, and Neal Smith. Initially called The Earwigs, they started as a Beatles parody act for a talent show, with no musical experience. Their raw energy won over the crowd, sparking a passion for performing. Renaming themselves The Spiders, then Nazz, and finally Alice Cooper (inspired by a Ouija board session claiming “Alice Cooper” was Furnier’s past-life name), they honed a theatrical shock-rock style. By the late 1960s, they moved to Los Angeles, playing gigs and catching Frank Zappa’s attention, who signed them to his Straight Records label. Their early albums, Pretties for You (1969) and Easy Action (1970), flopped commercially but built a cult following for their bizarre stage antics, like throwing chickens into audiences.

The breakthrough came with Love It to Death (1971) and the hit I’m Eighteen, produced by Bob Ezrin. Cooper’s guillotine stunts, boa constrictors, and horror-inspired theatrics made the band infamous, cementing their status with albums like Killer (1971) and School’s Out (1972). The name “Alice Cooper” became both the band’s and Furnier’s stage persona, who legally adopted it. After Muscle of Love, the original band split, and Cooper went solo, evolving into a horror-rock icon with albums like Welcome to My Nightmare (1975). His influence spans Marilyn Manson to Rob Zombie, blending music with performance art.

Stay connected with Alice Cooper through his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can join the Alice Cooper Fans Facebook group or visit fan sites like SickthingsUK for deep dives into his legacy. Zoo Freaks, keep rocking with the Zoo Crew and Alice Cooper’s wild world!