Generation Landslide

"Generation Landslide," from Alice Cooper's 1973 album Billion Dollar Babies, is a track steeped in the band's theatrical shock-rock ethos, with lyrics that paint a vivid picture of generational rebellion and societal decay. The song, written by the full original Alice Cooper band—Vincent Furnier (Alice Cooper), Michael Bruce, Glen Buxton, Dennis Dunaway, and Neal Smith—captures a dystopian snapshot of youth culture clashing with authority. One fascinating story about its creation comes from drummer Neal Smith, who recounted in a 2016 interview on SickthingsUK that the band wrote the song in a single afternoon on the roof of a hotel in the Canary Islands. They had set up a makeshift studio to craft one final track for the album, and "Generation Landslide" emerged as a standout, with lyrics so sharp that even Bob Dylan reportedly praised them. The song's biting commentary, like the line "Don't you know people are starving in Korea?" juxtaposed with references to excess like Maseratis and Colgate's "invisible shield," resonated with fans for its mix of satire and surreal imagery.

Another layer of trivia ties to the song's production. Produced by Bob Ezrin, known for his work with acts like Pink Floyd, "Generation Landslide" features session guitarist Steve Hunter, who laid down the solo. Hunter's contribution was initially uncredited, but his wife Karen later fought for him to receive royalties, a victory detailed in a Steve Hunter article on his website. The track also has an alternate version, "Son of Billion Dollar Babies," released as an outtake on the album's deluxe editions, showcasing a rawer take with different drumming. Fans on Last.fm have noted the song's enduring relevance, with one user, Rob from Glasgow, calling its lyrics "inspirational" and "obtuse" even decades later. The song's cultural footprint extends to its use as the B-side to the single "Hello Hooray," and its themes of youthful defiance inspired Soundgarden's Chris Cornell, who cited Billion Dollar Babies as a formative influence in a 1989 SPIN interview.

Alice Cooper, born Vincent Damon Furnier on February 4, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan, began his musical journey in Phoenix, Arizona, where he formed a band with high school friends in the mid-1960s. Originally called The Spiders, the group played covers before evolving into The Nazz and then adopting the name Alice Cooper in 1968, inspired by a Ouija board session and the idea of a creepy, feminine moniker to shock audiences. As Furnier explained in a 2004 Classic Rock interview, the name was meant to evoke a "sweet little old lady with an axe behind her back." The band signed with Frank Zappa's Straight Records, releasing their debut album Pretties for You in 1969, a psychedelic rock effort that flopped commercially but caught attention for its weirdness. Their breakthrough came with 1971's Love It to Death, featuring the hit "I'm Eighteen," and their theatrical live shows—complete with guillotines, fake blood, and baby dolls—cemented their reputation as pioneers of shock rock. By the time Billion Dollar Babies hit number one in 1973, Alice Cooper was a cultural phenomenon, blending horror, vaudeville, and garage rock.

You can keep up with Alice Cooper through his official website at alicecooper.com, where you'll find tour dates, merch, and news. His social media presence is active on Facebook, Instagram, and X, where he shares updates about his radio show, Alice's Attic, and reflections on his career. Fans also gather on dedicated sites like SickthingsUK, a comprehensive resource for Cooper lore, and WelcometomyNightmare.co.uk, which dives deep into his discography. On Facebook, groups like Alice Cooper Fans bring together Zoo Freaks and others to discuss everything from vinyl pressings to live show memories, keeping the spirit of Cooper's shock-rock legacy alive.