Freedom

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as the Zoo Crew spins "Freedom" by Alice Cooper from the 1987 album Raise Your Fist and Yell. This rebellious anthem was written as a direct response to the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), a group co-founded by Tipper Gore that pushed for censorship in music through Parental Advisory stickers and a "Filthy Fifteen" list of objectionable songs. Alice Cooper, never one to shy away from a fight, penned "Freedom" with guitarist Kane Roberts as a battle cry against the PMRC’s attempts to control what kids could hear. In a 1988 Metal Hammer interview, Cooper declared, “I wrote the song ‘Freedom’ instead of a letter of complaint to let the PMRC and everyone they stand for know what I think about them,” emphasizing his belief that kids were smart enough to understand satire and humor in his music. The track, with its fist-pumping chorus—“Freedom, we’re gonna ring the bell, freedom to rock, freedom to talk, freedom, raise your fist and yell”—became a powerful statement of defiance, reaching #50 on the UK charts in early 1988.

Another juicy tidbit about "Freedom" comes from its place in Cooper’s live shows. During the Live in the Flesh tour supporting Raise Your Fist and Yell, the song was a staple, complete with theatrical flair like flags and balloons, as noted in a review on SickthingsUK. However, after the tour, Cooper largely shelved the song, only bringing it back briefly in late 2022 and early 2023 when Kane Roberts rejoined the band for select performances. Fans on r/alicecooper have mixed feelings—some call it a “powerful and rebellious” anthem, while others rank it among his weaker tracks, preferring the darker vibes of songs like “Roses on White Lace” from the same album. Cooper himself, in a Fridays With Alice feature, explained that “Freedom” was about fighting oppression and tyranny, not violence, but a “battle of ideas,” reflecting his view that music shouldn’t be blamed for society’s woes.

Now, let’s rewind to how Alice Cooper, born Vincent Damon Furnier, kicked off his legendary career. Growing up in Phoenix, Arizona, Furnier was a high school track star with a knack for music. In 1964, at age 16, he formed a band called the Earwigs with friends to perform at a school talent show, parodying the Beatles with fake wigs and all. This morphed into the Spiders, a garage rock outfit that played local gigs and released a regional hit, “Don’t Blow Your Mind,” in 1966. By 1968, the band, now called Alice Cooper, moved to Los Angeles, adopting a provocative, theatrical style that shocked audiences. Their big break came after catching the eye of Frank Zappa, who signed them to his Straight Records label. Their first two albums, Pretties for You (1969) and Easy Action (1970), flopped commercially, but 1971’s Love It to Death, with the hit “I’m Eighteen,” launched them into stardom. Cooper’s blend of horror, humor, and hard rock, paired with outrageous live shows featuring guillotines and snakes, made him the godfather of shock rock.

Alice Cooper’s influence endures, and you can keep up with him on his official website, where you’ll find tour dates, merch, and more. He’s active on social media, sharing updates and trivia on Facebook, Instagram, and X. For instance, a recent X post from April 2025 shows him hyping his radio show, Alice’s Attic, where he dives into his own songs and spins tracks by bands like Guns N’ Roses. Fans can dive deeper into his world through SickthingsUK, a treasure trove of news, discographies, and tour history, or join the Fridays With Alice Facebook group, where Sheryl Cooper occasionally pops in to engage with devotees. The r/alicecooper subreddit is another hotspot for fans to debate albums and share rare finds. So, Zoo Freaks, raise your fists and yell for Alice Cooper, the original hellraiser!