Under My Wheels (Live 2017)

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Under My Wheels (Live 2017)" by Alice Cooper, a track from the album A Paranormal Evening at the Olympia Paris, and the Zoo Freaks are surely rocking out to this high-energy performance. This song, originally released in 1971 on the Killer album, is a staple in Cooper’s live shows, ranking as his third most-performed track alongside "Billion Dollar Babies," only behind "School’s Out" and "I’m Eighteen." The 2017 Paris performance captures the raw, theatrical energy Cooper is known for, with its driving rhythm and rebellious attitude. A notable trivia tidbit comes from a 2019 post by Dee Snider on X, where he praised original Alice Cooper band bassist Dennis Dunaway, noting his role in co-writing "Under My Wheels" and playing on every significant track from the band’s early days. This highlights the song’s roots in the original lineup’s chemistry, which defined their shock-rock legacy.

Delving into the song’s history, "Under My Wheels" has been reimagined multiple times. In 1988, Cooper recorded a duet version with Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses for the soundtrack of The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years. This collaboration came during a tour where Guns N’ Roses opened for Cooper, showcasing the song’s enduring appeal across generations of rockers. A 2021 Reddit post on the GunsNRoses subreddit called this cover a hidden gem, with fans noting its rarity and the thrill of hearing Axl’s voice from that era in a new context. The song has also been covered by various artists, including Hanoi Rocks, Foo Fighters (with Chris Shiflett on vocals during their 2017/2018 tour), and Manic Street Preachers, as mentioned in a Wikipedia entry. These covers underscore the song’s influence in the rock world, with its gritty, car-chase vibe resonating with bands across genres.

Another fascinating story tied to "Under My Wheels" emerged from a 2022 post on Alice Cooper’s official website and YouTube channel, highlighting a 2015 reunion performance at Good Records in Dallas. Organized by superfan Chris Penn, this event saw the original Alice Cooper band—Cooper, Michael Bruce, Dennis Dunaway, Neal Smith, and Ryan Roxie (standing in for the late Glen Buxton)—reunite for a surprise set that included "Under My Wheels." Initially planned as a book signing for Dunaway’s memoir, it turned into a full-blown concert, later documented in the film Live From The Astroturf, Alice Cooper. Fans on Reddit’s ClassicRock community in 2024 raved about the song’s raw power and its place on the Killer album, with one user noting a rockabilly-style cover their band recorded, showing the song’s versatility.

Alice Cooper, born Vincent Damon Furnier on February 4, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan, began his musical journey in Phoenix, Arizona, after moving there as a child. The son of a minister, Furnier formed his first band, the Earwigs, at age 17 with high school track teammates. Initially performing Beatles parodies for a school talent show, the group evolved into The Spiders, then The Nazz, before settling on the name Alice Cooper in 1968. The name, chosen for its twisted innocence, complemented their bizarre stage theatrics, as noted in a IMDb biography. Their big break came in 1969 when Frank Zappa signed them to his label after a chaotic audition at his house, mistakenly performed at 7 a.m. instead of 7 p.m. This led to their relocation to Detroit and a deal with Warner Bros., where producer Bob Ezrin helped craft their 1971 breakthrough album Love It to Death, setting the stage for hits like "Under My Wheels."

Cooper’s early career was marked by controversy and innovation. The band’s theatrical performances, featuring guillotines, fake blood, and boa constrictors, earned them the title "The Godfather of Shock Rock," as described in a Britannica biography. Their 1972 hit "School’s Out" topped the UK charts, despite bans and protests from figures like Mary Whitehouse, who inadvertently boosted their fame. Cooper’s solo career took off in 1975 with Welcome to My Nightmare, after the original band split, and he legally adopted the name Alice Cooper. His influence spans decades, with over 50 million records sold and a 2011 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Fans can connect with him on his Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where he shares tour updates and nostalgic posts, like a 2024 X post celebrating the Killer album’s release.

For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, fan communities thrive online. The Sick Things UK fan site offers extensive archives on Cooper’s career, from discographies to tour histories. On Facebook, the Alice Cooper Fans group is a vibrant space where fans share memorabilia, concert stories, and cover art. Another group, Alice Cooper Worldwide, connects fans globally, discussing everything from vinyl collections to favorite live performances. These communities keep the shock-rock spirit alive, celebrating tracks like "Under My Wheels" and Cooper’s enduring legacy in rock and roll.