Who I Really Am: Diary of a Vampire

by Alice Cooper

Rock and roll in the BC (Before Cooper) era was a tamer, milder world. In Who I Really Am, Cooper’s latest addition to Audible’s Words + Music series, we learn how the boa-wearing (not the feathered kind) maestro arrived at a show and sound - let’s call it AC for After Cooper - that has entertained millions of kids while terrifying parents in equal measure. Cooper drew inspiration from Saturday matinee horror movies, applied a "no such thing as too much" attitude, and hitched it to a kick-ass rock and roll band. The shows were incredible, but the offstage antics might have been even more entertaining. Cooper generously shares you-had-to-be-there tales of the band’s early days in Hollywood and mythic all-nighters with rock’s premier luminaries. Also included are new recordings of the hits “I'm Eighteen”, “School’s Out”, and “Poison". Not many artists can claim credit for creating an entire style or genre. Don’t miss the chance to hear a consummate showman reveal that storytelling might be his greatest talent of all.

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction, Biography, Music, Memoir, Autobiography, Biography Memoir

2 pages, Audible Audio

Published October 7, 2021

About the author

Alice Cooper (born Vincent Damon Furnier) is an American rock singer, songwriter and broadcaster whose career spans more than five decades. With a stage show that features guillotines, electric chairs, fake blood, boa constrictors and baby dolls, Cooper has drawn equally from horror movies, vaudeville, and garage rock to pioneer a grandly theatrical and violent brand of heavy metal that was designed to shock.

Alice Cooper was originally a band consisting of Furnier on vocals and harmonica, lead guitarist Glen Buxton, Michael Bruce on rhythm guitar, Dennis Dunaway on bass guitar, and drummer Neal Smith. The original Alice Cooper band broke into the international music mainstream with the 1971 hit "I'm Eighteen" from the album Love it to Death, which was followed by the even bigger single "School's Out" in 1972. The band reached their commercial peak with the 1973 album Billion Dollar Babies.

Furnier's solo career as Alice Cooper, adopting the band's name as his own name, began with the 1975 concept album Welcome to My Nightmare. In 2008 he released Along Came a Spider, his 18th solo album. Expanding from his original Detroit rock roots, over the years Cooper has experimented with many different musical styles, including conceptual rock, art rock, glam metal, hard rock, new wave, pop rock, soft rock, experimental rock, heavy metal, and industrial rock. In recent times he has returned more to his garage rock roots.

Alice Cooper is known for his social and witty persona offstage, The Rolling Stone Album Guide going so far as to refer to him as the world's most "beloved heavy metal entertainer". He helped to shape the sound and look of heavy metal, and has been credited as being the person who "first introduced horror imagery to rock'n'roll, and whose stagecraft and showmanship have permanently transformed the genre". Away from music, Cooper is a film actor, a golfing celebrity, a restaurateur and, since 2004, a popular radio DJ with his classic rock show Nights with Alice Cooper.

On VH1's "100 Greatest artists of Hard Rock", Cooper was ranked #20.

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who I Really Am: Diary of a Vampire
by Alice Cooper
This was short but informative! My first concert was to see him in the late '70s! It was a blast! A true showman! I loved his music and still due! I learned a great deal about his early family years, professional life, many celebrity friends, addiction battle, and married to the same woman for 45 years! I am glad I spotted this!

[Brian Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, just wish it was longer. Alice speaks with more frankness than I’ve ever heard from him, with some stories that were new even to me. Even the old stories that have been told over and over have new details and freshness added to them. I think any fan of classic rock would enjoy it, there’s no shortage of famous friends.

[MissBecka Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who knows me knows I love me some Alice Cooper.
Listening to fun stories from the road and his life changes later on was a great distraction while doing paperwork today.
I love these Words + Music Audible has available.

[Phoenix Perpetuale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who I ready am Audible original music+words is a good distribution and enjoyable listening. A listening that includes biographical details of a music band called Alice Cooper. Narrated and musical performances by Alice Cooper. Enjoyable and Biographical.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Alice Cooper.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun Audible Original, that gave an interesting background of the artist and what to me seemed like a fairly unique path in life. Some in my circle will be too traditional to enjoy this but I loved it, and appreciated the short story of his life.

[SheriC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully short autobiography of Alice Cooper. He refers to himself only as Alice, but also refers to the band as Alice, and I'm not an Alice fan (although I certainly enjoy the hits), and yet he makes it perfectly clear that he is not Alice. One is a persona, a show designed with purpose to entertain and cleverly marketed to shock and outrage parents and authority figures. But the man's story begins and ends with his Christian faith, too, and I find it curious that unlike his show persona, his faith is private, personal, and does not in any way resemble that of showy, well-marketed televangelists and their ilk.

I enjoyed his anecdotes, and even more the acoustic snippets of his music. I also appreciated that he shared his struggles with fame and drugs and alcohol without endlessly wallowing in it. I am deeply unhappy that he didn't talk about the Muppet Show appearances.

Audiobook freebie via the Audible Plus catalog. Read by the man himself.

[Jami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve listened to his music growing up, but this is the first I learned anything about his life. It was well done with the music clips added in. This is short and wax part of the Audible plus catalog.

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting autobiography read by Alice Cooper himself. I always liked the band but never really knew the personal story.

[Martti · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice Audible production with couple of acoustic versions from the Alice Cooper repertoire.

Probably more interesting to true fans. I don't much know about Vincent Damon Furnier to begin with. Only perhaps Poison (1989), Feed My Frankenstein (1991), School's Out (1972) and Hey Stoopid (1991), which are fun theatrical drama-rock songs which seem to be only tip of the iceberg from the discography of this dinosaur of rock. Or maybe more like theatrical performer?

Career spanning over 50 years and he has produced 21 studio albums since now (2022), which is crazy. Although quantity doesn't necessarily reflect the quality, he deserves respect for being a live performing artist. Also one might say, an example of christian belief - alcoholic junkie turned and no doubt pardoned religious believer nowadays. I guess Jesus saves us all.

[Christina ❤️M❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really quite enjoyed my first experience with audio+music from audible. To mix both is so fun and I can see myself listening to many more.

[Sunny D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delightful. I adore listening to audiobooks like these; it feels like Alice is my cool uncle telling me slightly off-color stories at a family reunion. It may shock some of you to know that I did not, in fact, have a drug-and-partying phase. But from books like this and Elton John's, I get to live vicariously through their wild-child days (and then hear about them getting help and becoming much happier people).

Anyway, I love Alice Cooper to death. (Little side note—his open, non-exclusionary Christianity legitimately reassures me in my faith. I love spirituality that says "Love radically and also wear dark eye makeup and write nightmare-themed albums. We're very cool with that here.") The chilled-out, acoustic versions of his songs were a really nice touch.

[🌶 peppersocks 🧦 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned:
“This kid wants to live… anyone else, I would have given no chance…”

I was always a bit scared by the image of Alice Cooper the individual as I grew up - the make up and the hair made him look like a scary Aunt, but then the snakes and music really pushed that over the edge into surreal fifties style horror. But when he wasn’t performing, he was a smiling, well spoken and interesting person, with so many British connections, pushing the envelope of the ridiculous, but it all being about the performance. Filled with rock n roll anecdotes and quite beautiful vocal performances, this felt like a real treat shared by a musical icon

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great listen. I just wish it had been an actual book and longer. Alice is an interesting guy. I finally saw him live three years ago, and he put on an incredible show. He blows other bands away in terms of shear entertainment and length of the show. This was a fun audible book read by Alice himself. I highly recommend.

[Andres Perez Celis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short book on the band. It covers from the beginning of the band, then a few years later, and finally, it briefly touches on the present.

This book reminded me of "the Dirt", the story of motley Crue. This book could easily become a movie too. It has funny, sad, and rock-star moments.

[Martin Bakner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice is one of the greatest storytellers in rock 'n roll. Hell, he's one of the greatest storytellers period.
Who else can make you laugh out loud about a near-fatal auto accident?
Bonus: the new song recordings are great! Alice's voice is better than ever.

[Pinar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bence sesli kitap ve ilgili dönemleri konuları anlatırken giren müzikler muhteşem olmuş.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw Alice in the From the Inside Tour. I think it was 1980. The Babys and Legs Diamond opened for him. We kind of moved around during the two opening acts and found ourselves standing right near the stage when Alice came on. His show was amazing and went on past mid-night with a stage show that rose to the level of movie special effects. To this day I have never seen another show even remotely like it outside of Broadway.

In this mini bio Uncle Alice sits down and tells us a few great stories, drops a ton of names (because he knows and knew everyone), gives more than a bit of advice, and entertains us for a couple of hours. The only complaint that I have is that I (like several others have stated) wish it were much longer.

I particularly liked the acoustic versions of some of his songs. He should do an "unplugged" album because the stripped down versions really show how good the songs are.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

There really wasn't anything new compared to other Alice biographies, if anything this really only skimmed the surface and Alice didn't dive too deep into any of the topics. There was more of a focus on the forming of the band and their rise to fame with refreshing anecdotes and stories. I like the series that interjects music with the story to pair with the individual tales told. It's a nice flow. I also love how it's presented like Alice Cooper is sitting and talking with us.

Recommend for a quick dive into Alice Cooper's rise to stardom.

[Eleanore Bolin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I'm not super into Alice Cooper, but I was curious what was behind all the hype. The audiobook was such a fun ride! I felt like I was sitting on the floor wide-eyed listening to my favorite grandpa, who just so happens to be a rock legend, tell his crazy stories. Acoustic music is interspersed and it's only 2 hours. Give it a go!

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick one but overall enjoyable. I appreciated the music throughout because Alice Cooper was way before my time, and it was good to hear his music developing as the story went along. I think this book would really suit an Alice Cooper fan. It has inspired me to listen to more of his music.

[Kristen Mirabal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this because my husband is an Alice Cooper fan and told me this was good. I knew of him and one or two songs. I am now fascinated and will be searching out concert videos on YouTube. Also he wrote humorous bodice rippers? Going to have to check one of those out.

[Kinyorda Sliwiak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never had an opinion of Alice Cooper either way. I liked some of his music but didn't know anything about the band's origin story. This was a great listen that humanized someone who is often depicted as being inhuman. Cooper narrates the story with equal parts shock (I can't believe we became famous) and pride (we were connected to a lot of other famous bands). Cooper is not shy about admitting his weaknesses and how detailing how they affected his career and relationships. Even if you don't think you will like it, you will. A great listen.

[Michael Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun ride through the life and career of certainly one of the most interesting and quintessential rock and rock personalities. Good stories with good tunes interwoven, this little audiobook reminded me of why I loved so many of these songs (especially those on Welcome to My Nightmare) and found the character of Alice so fascinating (despite my, shall we say, lack of enthusiasm for horror).

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a nice, quick palate cleanser while I'm waiting for my library holds to come in.

I've always liked Alice Cooper's music. I'm assuming this is a shorter version of his other autobiographical works.

I hadn't known much about his personal life, though I had a vague notion that he's a kind and whimsical person who got a kick out of the shock that his work generated. This perception held.

For me, there was a twist ending that raised my eyebrows. But probably not for those who know more about Alice as a person.

Good, fun, easy listen. And free with Audible membership!
3.5 stars rounded up because of the excellent musical interludes. (some different versions of familiar songs)

[Ericka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good read, I loved the songs in between his reading and I just love his testimony. I love how transparent he is about his life

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a enjoyable book to read, entertaining, humorous and not dragged out. I enjoyed the segments of music throughout the book.

[Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s nothing more fascinating than learning about someone you’ve heard about all your life but really never knew anything about the person until they took the time to introduce you to them. Imagine my shock to realize that Alice Cooper wasn’t the name of the man, but the actual BAND.

I started listening to this as a lark. I didn’t think I’d get much out of it. Wow, was I wrong! I was completely fascinated along with being stunned, shocked, impressed, astonished, saddened, amazed, amused and delighted. He even sang a few songs during the course of his story about himself, the band and the people he met along the way. And yes, he really called himself a vampire – but not in the way you expect. Certainly, in no way related to all the paranormal romances I enjoy so much. It’s a moniker more than anything, gifted by happenstance.

Alice Cooper, and I’m talking about the man, the artist, singer and all-around stunner of a talent, has a history that I never anticipated. His family background is not what I expected. When he shared the story about his grandfather and a 6-yr. old boy he tried to help, I got the shivers. I’m not going to share why or what it was all about because I in no way want to minimize or subvert the impact of that scene. It sure made me stop and stare for a bit. No way! But yes, I guess it really did happen and that fact floored me.

Alice, and I’ll stick to that name recognition, and his family moved around a lot. It seems like many artists that make it big have that kind of element in their backstory. Each move brought challenges that he had to overcome. His parents had unconventional lifestyles in the beginning, and that’s an understatement. Later on, they tried being ‘normal’. Somehow, I don’t think they pulled it off. Like their son, I think they were unique and had some interesting skills of their own to bring to the jobs they eventually did get.

I was expecting some name dropping and I wasn’t disappointed. What amazed me was that Alice Cooper was in the thick of things, when the music scene was in flux and a lot of amazing changes were taking place, many for the good and some for the bad. Drugs, alcohol abuse, hard living and crazy antics certainly played their roles but even through all of that, I found that Alice Cooper had his own HEA going on.

It wasn’t always happy, or easy or smooth, but I think how he described his wife and his relationship with her was quite telling. Even when he hit bottom with alcohol abuse, his wife, Sheryl, stuck with him every step of the way. He credits her influence in getting him back on his feet. How she did it, why and every other question a listener might have, I’ll leave the listener to discover for themselves. I found it to be enlightening, uplifting and in its own way, beautiful. Theirs is a marriage that survived because they both respected the other and worked to make it continue, to help it thrive; to help each other through those tough spots because they loved each other that much and wanted to do it. That’s why I thought that part of his story as incredibly romantic. It wasn’t a fantasy romance. It was gritty at times and rocky, but that’s what made it real – through all his struggles, she was there, and he didn’t take her for granted. She believed in him enough to stand by him. When you hear about so many other relationships in the rock n’ roll world falling apart, they stayed together, 40+ years, 3 kids and a few grandkids later and they’re still going strong. Alice Cooper may have been zany crazy on stage, but in real life, he matured throughout his career, enough to look back on things with a critical eye, and share with fans his take on his career, from the inside.

There was one thing he shared early on that stunned me. There was one moment in time when it was possible Alice Cooper and my favorite songs of the band’s would never have existed. Not to get preachy or anything, but I thank God that His plans included Alice Cooper finding success in this life, even with all the side roads and missteps and bad decisions, there was a reason he stayed on this earth. Yes, that statement is pretty deep, but nonetheless true.

Truly, there is a lot more to say about what I heard in Who I Really Am: Diary of a Vampire, and every bit of it is well worth listening to. I tried to tell my husband about all the things I learned about Alice Cooper and his eyes kind of glazed over. I guess it’s not the same as listening to the actual person tell the story. Alice Cooper has a great talent for narration and storytelling, even if it’s about his own life. I also believe it’s why I liked it so much. A true story, enhanced by a little music and some serious giggles and smiles along the way coupled with awesome name dropping and famous shenanigans, makes this memoir one worth spending time with.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A shock rocker who’s greatest shock is being absolutely nothing like you think he is.

Don’t get me wrong, the book opens with the account of Alice (He refers to himself only as Alice, but also refers to the band as Alice, and yet he makes it perfectly clear that he is not Alice.) somehow surviving a car crash that would kills most people.

That’s kind of the theme, X thing we did would kill most people. Anecdotes of coming up with the Who & Jimi Hendrix and the psychedelic life that should be life-defining are almost thrown away as just another day in the life of Alice.

Alice is a persona, an act designed to amuse, offend and surprise.
But the main surprise is Alice’s story begins and ends with his Christian faith. I know it can’t be, THAT kind of person can’t love Jesus. I can clearly remember books about how evil he was in the Christian books section growing up. Probably because his mascara was always on point.
The stories come fast and each deserves more attention as they draw you in. His grandfather exorcized a Sioux Indian boy, followed by his father bringing a hammer to stop a parishioner from abusing his wife, followed by 2 and a half months Alice spent in the hospital when his appendix burst.
It’s a great little journey of his life from the start to the struggles with drugs, fame, and heartache. Although the difficulties are massive, they are not defining. Alice never wallows. He has too good a story to tell.

It was a fun ride through the career & life of Alice, one of the biggest and most defining rock personalities of modern music.
For a man derided by Christians in his time, it is inarguable that while he was flamboyantly offensive to cultural sensibilities, his faith is the only thing He never faked. Shocking. And refreshing.
Worth reading a more full biography for sure, but this was a great appetizer. The man also makes a great Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar

Would recommend.

“I’m 73, I’m in 3 touring and recording bands, I’ve got 3 of the greatest kids ever, 4 amazing grandchildren, and I’m married to the most beautiful and talented woman in rock ‘n’ roll. I feel great, sound great on the records, I’m writing great things, the shows are better than they’ve ever been I’m in a great place. I love every minute of it. To me the most exciting thing is the fact that Cheryl and I are getting ready for the show right now, putting on make up on. Cheryl mentions to me tonight when I slit her throat make sure the gleen of the knife catches the light, so the audience can see it! Don’t forget we have church tomorrow at 11.”

[Michele Cacano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so fun to listen to on Audible. A few months ago, I saw Alice Cooper live for the first time and it was perhaps the greatest show I've ever seen. I've been a casual fan for decades, and am very glad I finally saw the marvel for myself (rescheduled, due to Covid 2 years to the day later).

This short memoir goes into his childhood and early years of musicianship. He tells great stories about family, friendships, childhood mishaps, and more. He also gave enough of a glimpse into his founding of the Hollywood Vampires (the drinking club, not yet the band) to make me jealous!

The in-between chapters guitar riffs are cool. Not too long, never boring. Plays a few whole songs, too- stripped down and gorgeous.