In a surprising Instagram post, Alice Cooper declared his candidacy for President of the United States.
The Godfather of Shock Rock unveiled his campaign with a humorous video highlighting his unconventional qualifications:
“Well, I’m Alice Cooper and I’m a troubled man for troubled times. I have absolutely no idea what to do, so I should fit right in.”
Accompanying the video, Cooper’s caption invited fans to join his 2024 presidential bid:
“Join Alice on his 2024 bid for President of the United States! Sign up to receive updates on the campaign kick-off, ongoing virtual rallies, Q&A sessions, and more! Stay informed. Join the conversation. Be part of the movement. Sign up today at AliceForPresident.com.”
Cooper’s History with Politics
Alice Cooper’s mock presidential campaigns have been a recurring joke since his 1972 song “Elected.” That year, Cooper first announced his candidacy and the formation of the Wild Party through the “Elected” music video. The song, a single from his sixth album “Billion Dollar Babies,” topped charts in the U.S. and U.K., achieving platinum status.
In a 2022 interview with Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, Cooper emphasized his distaste for mixing rock and politics:
“I don’t ever talk politics. I hate politics. I don’t think rock and roll and politics belong in the same bed together, but a lot of people think it does — because we have a voice, and we should use our voice. But again, rock and roll should be anti-political, I think. When my parents started talking about politics, I would turn on the Stones as loud as I could. I don’t want to hear politics, and I still feel that way.”
Contrasting Views on Musicians and Politics
Unlike Cooper, Dee Snider of Twisted Sister believes musicians should voice their political opinions. Snider actively discusses politics on social media and has pointed out the irony in Cooper’s song “Elected,” suggesting it contradicts Cooper’s stance on political discourse. Cooper maintains that rock musicians should not influence their fans’ voting decisions, as it undermines the genre’s spirit of freedom and rebellion.
