Public Animal #9

The song Public Animal #9 from Alice Cooper’s 1972 album School’s Out captures the rebellious spirit of high school antics, with lyrics that paint a vivid picture of teenage defiance. One intriguing piece of trivia comes from fan discussions on SongMeanings, where it’s noted that the song’s opening line, “Me and G.B.,” refers to Glenn Buxton, the band’s lead guitarist, who attended Cortez High School in Phoenix, Arizona, alongside most of the original Alice Cooper band members. This personal nod grounds the song in the band’s real-life experiences, reflecting their own mischievous school days. The song’s raw energy and drum-driven rhythm, as highlighted by a fan on SongMeanings, mirror the chaotic vibe of the album’s title track, making it a standout for its relatable depiction of youthful rebellion.

Another fascinating tidbit about Public Animal #9 comes from Fridays With Alice, a fan site dedicated to Cooper’s work. The song is described as embodying the “Alice character” as a classroom troublemaker destined to become “every parent’s worst nightmare.” Its lyrics, like “I’m like a lifer in the state penitentiary,” foreshadow the theatrical, shock-rock persona Cooper would fully embrace. The site also mentions that Alice and his wife, Sheryl Cooper, are aware of the fan page and have given their blessing to its content, showing the band’s continued connection with their fanbase. While not a staple in live performances, the song’s inclusion on the School’s Out album helped cement its place in the band’s legacy, evoking nostalgia for listeners who relate to its tales of schoolyard chaos.

Alice Cooper, born Vincent Damon Furnier on February 4, 1948, began his musical journey in Phoenix, Arizona, where his interest in music sparked during high school. As detailed on Bookey, he formed his first band, The Earwigs, while still a teenager. This early group evolved through several name changes before settling on Alice Cooper, a name inspired by a 17th-century witch and adopted for its unsettling allure. The original lineup, including Furnier, Michael Bruce, Glen Buxton, Dennis Dunaway, and Neal Smith, gained traction in the late 1960s with their dark, theatrical performances that blended hard rock, glam, and shock elements. Their breakthrough came with the 1971 album Love It to Death, followed by Killer, setting the stage for the massive success of School’s Out in 1972. Cooper’s provocative stage shows, featuring guillotines, fake blood, and boa constrictors, pioneered shock rock, drawing from horror films and vaudeville to create a spectacle that both thrilled fans and outraged authorities.

After the original band disbanded in 1974, Furnier legally adopted the name Alice Cooper and launched a solo career with the 1975 album Welcome to My Nightmare, as noted on Amazon. His ability to reinvent himself kept him relevant through the decades, with a resurgence in the late 1980s via albums like Trash and Hey Stoopid, which embraced hair metal influences. Beyond music, Cooper is a devout Christian, a scratch golfer, and a philanthropist supporting causes like Solid Rock, which provides music programs for high school students, as mentioned on Bookey. His passion for art collecting, including works by Salvador Dalí, further showcases his eclectic personality.

Fans can connect with Alice Cooper through his official website, alicecooper.com, which offers tour dates, merchandise, and news. His social media presence includes Facebook, Instagram, and X, where he shares updates and engages with followers. For deeper fan interaction, Fridays With Alice provides detailed analyses of his songs and career, while the Fridays With Alice Facebook group fosters a community for “Zoo Freaks” and other devotees to discuss his music. Another fan site, SickThingsUK, offers tablature, discographies, and archival content, making it a treasure trove for diehard fans of Cooper’s shock-rock legacy.