1973 - February - Alice Cooper - Billion Dollar Babies

February 1973 — “Billion Dollar Babies” by Alice Cooper

Brian presents one of the biggest early 1970's glam rock groups — Alice Cooper. Their sixth studio album entitled “Billion Dollar Babies” was released in 1973, and was their most successful album to this date. Detroit native and front man Vincent Furnier took on the “Alice Cooper” persona for this highly theatrical act, complete with makeup, tuxedo, and top hat. The title of the album is a tongue in cheek look at the rise of the band itself — referring to themselves as "Billion Dollar Babies."

Come along as we dig into this exceptionally entertaining and well-produced glam rock band.

“Hello Hooray” This opening song was recorded earlier by Judy Collins, and the band intended it to be “Alice Cooper meets cabaret.”

“Elected” This driving piece is the second single released from the album, and is a satirical look at the election process. It is a rewrite of their earlier song from 1969 entitled "Reflected." There's a surprisingly good horn section in there as well.

“Billion Dollar Babies” The title track reflects their success in such a short period of time. Take a listen to this one in stereo or headphones to get the full effect.

“No More Mr. Nice Guy” “No more Mr. cle-e-e-ean!” This song is the most popular track off the album. Amazingly, the shock rock front man appeared on The Muppet Show to sing this back in the day!

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

“Dueling Banjos” — from the movie “Deliverance” This Burt Reynolds movie was filmed on the Chattooga River in Georgia, and may be one of the most notable banjo riffs of all time. The movie was released in 1972 and was still popular in 1973.

STAFF PICKS:

“Dancing in the Moonight” by King Harvest Bruce shares this one-hit wonder sung by a Paris-based American group. It has that smooth, folk oriented sound that was quite popular back in the day. It could be an undercover werewolf song - jury's still out on that.

“The Night the Lights Went out in Georgia” by Vicki Lawrence Rob’s a fan of the Carol Burnette show, and this was sung by comiedienne Vicki Lawrence. Her husband wrote the song, and when he was turned down by some famous female vocalists, Lawrence took it on, and took it to the top of the charts.

“My Woman from Tokyo” by Deep Purple Wayne's rocking and riffing on this one. Although a big hit for Deep Purple, the band didn't like the song. It never actually came out as a single, and the band didn't play the song in concert until 1986.

“Walk on the Wildside” by Lou Reed Brian closes out staff picks with this controversial art rock hit profiling alternate lifestyles in New York City. This is off Reed's second solo album, and the backing vocals are performed by a group called the Thunder Thighs.

LAUGH TRACK:

“Dead Skunk” by Loudon Wainwright III This fun song is an ode to an odor we have all experienced on a country road. “I one'd it...I two'ed it...

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