Stolen Prayer

Zoo Freaks, you're tuned into THE ZOO with the Zoo Crew, spinning the haunting vibes of Stolen Prayer by Alice Cooper from his 1994 concept album The Last Temptation. This track, a gem from the album, was penned with the late Chris Cornell of Soundgarden, who also lent his vocals to it. In a 1994 Metal Edge interview, Cooper shared that Cornell brought Stolen Prayer to the table in pieces, requiring some lyrical surgery to fit the album’s narrative. Cooper noted, “I love this section, that section I don’t know,” but once recorded, it became one of his favorite tracks, blending Cornell’s grunge edge with Cooper’s theatrical flair. The song captures the inner turmoil of the album’s protagonist, Steven, as he grapples with temptation, making it a pivotal moment in the morality play crafted by Cooper and comic writer Neil Gaiman.

Another tidbit from the Fridays With Alice blog highlights the song’s spiritual depth. Pastor Paul Ahnert, in a guest post, interprets Stolen Prayer as a metaphor for the enemy’s lies that cloud faith, drawing from Matthew 26:41’s call to “watch and pray” to resist temptation. Originally written by Cornell for Ozzy Osbourne but never recorded by him, the track found its home with Cooper, whose Christian faith shaped the album’s themes. Cooper himself remarked in a 1994 statement, “The very fact that [God] cared enough to save my life about 20 times... He kind of put me in the camp of the Philistines,” reflecting his unique position as a Christian in rock. This collaboration with Cornell, who tragically passed in 2017, remains a standout, with fans on Last.fm praising its emotional resonance.

Let’s dive into how Alice Cooper, born Vincent Damon Furnier, kicked off his legendary career. Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, as the son of a minister, Furnier formed his first band, the Earwigs, at 17. As detailed on IMDb, this group evolved into The Spiders, then The Nazz, before settling on the name Alice Cooper in the late 1960s. The band’s provocative name, inspired by a 17th-century witch, set the stage for their boundary-pushing antics. Their early albums, like Pretties for You (1969), caught the eye of Frank Zappa, who signed them to his label. By 1971, hits like I’m Eighteen from Love It to Death propelled them to stardom, with Cooper’s theatrical shock-rock shows—featuring guillotines, fake blood, and snakes—earning him the title “Godfather of Shock Rock.”

Cooper’s solo career took off after the original band split in 1975, with Welcome to My Nightmare cementing his status as a solo artist. His blend of horror, vaudeville, and hard rock influenced countless acts, from KISS to Marilyn Manson. As noted on SickthingsUK, a dedicated fan site, Cooper’s resilience through personal struggles, including alcoholism, shaped his work. His faith and sobriety, achieved in the 1980s, informed albums like The Last Temptation. Today, Cooper remains a cultural icon, with roles in films like Wayne’s World and a radio show, Nights with Alice Cooper.

Stay connected with Alice Cooper through his official website, where you can find tour dates and merch. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates on his latest projects and witty posts. Fans can join the vibrant community at SickthingsUK for deep dives into his discography or check out Alice Cooper eChive for archival goodies. On Facebook, groups like Alice Cooper Fans bring Zoo Freaks together to share stories and celebrate the shock-rock legend. Keep it locked to THE ZOO, where we’re always spinning the wildest tracks!