Under My Wheels

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, it’s your hippie DJ pals from The Zoo Crew, spinning the wildest vinyl at THE ZOO radio station! Right now, we’ve got the electrifying Under My Wheels by Alice Cooper from the iconic 1971 album Killer cranking through your speakers. This track is a full-throttle rock anthem, dripping with Cooper’s twisted humor. It’s about a guy so fed up with his nagging girlfriend that he fantasizes about running her over with his car—classic Alice shock-rock vibes! The song, written by band members Michael Bruce, Dennis Dunaway, and producer Bob Ezrin, hit #59 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a staple of Cooper’s live shows, ranking as his third most-performed song behind School’s Out and I’m Eighteen. Fun fact: guitar legend Rick Derringer laid down the scorching solo on this track, recorded while he was hanging out with the band in Chicago during the Killer sessions.

Dig this wild story from the Zoo Crew’s crate-digging adventures: Under My Wheels got a killer re-recording in 1988 when Alice teamed up with Guns N’ Roses for a duet with Axl Rose on the soundtrack for The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years. Fans on Reddit call this version a hidden gem, with some saying it was like finding the Holy Grail back in the day when it was tough to track down. The song’s raw energy also inspired covers by bands like Hanoi Rocks and Manic Street Preachers, and it even popped up in the background of Megadeth’s remastered track 502. Alice himself reflected on the album’s impact in a 2021 X post, saying Killer took the band’s sound to the next level after Love It to Death, cementing their place as rock’s theatrical trailblazers.

Let’s rewind to how Alice Cooper, born Vincent Damon Furnier, kicked off his legendary career. Growing up in Phoenix, Arizona, Furnier formed a band in 1964 with high school buddies, initially called The Earwigs, then The Spiders, before landing on the name Alice Cooper—supposedly inspired by a Ouija board session or a nod to a Mayberry RFD character, depending on which tale you believe. The band’s early days were all about psychedelic rock, dropping their debut album Pretties for You in 1969 under Frank Zappa’s Straight Records. Their first two records flopped, but a move to Detroit in 1970 soaked up the gritty influence of bands like The Stooges and MC5. Teaming up with producer Bob Ezrin, they hit gold with 1971’s Love It to Death and the breakout single I’m Eighteen. Alice Cooper, both the band and the frontman, became the godfather of shock rock, blending horror, vaudeville, and garage rock with a stage show featuring guillotines, fake blood, and boa constrictors.

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with the shock-rock king at his official website, where you’ll find tour dates, merch, and more. Connect with him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes goodies. For the ultimate fan experience, check out SickthingsUK, an unofficial fan site packed with news, discography details, and rare tidbits about Alice and his crew. You can also join fellow Zoo Freaks in fan communities like the Alice Cooper Fans Facebook group, where diehards share stories, memorabilia, and love for the Coop. Keep rocking, Freaks, and stay tuned for more vinyl vibes from The Zoo Crew!