The name Alice Cooper originally referred to both the band and its lead singer (born Vincent Furnier). The breakthrough of the band Alice Cooper came after their third album Love It to Death and the song I'm Eighteen. Thanks to these two masterpieces, the band hit upon the formula that made them stars. They combined dirty, guitar-heavy hard rock with Cooper's sneering vocals and lyrics that were alternately relatable and intentionally creepy. Combined with a live show that included snakes, electric chairs, fake blood and more, Alice Cooper had something for everyone, and from Killer (1971) to Billion Dollar Babies (1973), they seemingly could do no wrong.

Cooper's 1975 solo debut Welcome to My Nightmare was a huge success and his shows became even more elaborate. His fan base subsequently waned, however, until Cooper released the albums Trash and Hey Stoopid, in which he mixed his unique sound with hair metal to gain a new audience. Cooper's loyal fans ensured that he stayed in business long after his peak in the 70s, touring regularly and releasing memorable albums like Detroit Stories and Road.

Alice Cooper became one of the most successful and influential acts of the '70s with his gritty, epic hard rock and a live show that was a rock 'n' roll house of horrors.