Alice Cooper says rock stars should stay out of politics as it’s “the worst idea ever.”
The shock rock icon recently launched a spoof manifesto to become President of the United States and British Prime Minister, with 10 pledges including adding Lemmy to Mount Rushmore and renaming Big Ben after the late Motorhead frontman, a ban on selfies and getting Brian Johnson back in AC/DC.
But when asked what he really feels about rock stars getting involved in politics, Cooper tells the new Metal Hammer: In Residence On Spotify: “I absolutely hate it. It’s the worst idea ever.
“First of all, why do people think rock stars know more than they do? That is the biggest fallacy in the world – if anything we’re dumber. We’re not smarter than anybody else. I mean, why do you think we’re rock stars?
“Trust me, we don’t read magazines you don’t read. Nobody calls us up and gives us as inside information on politics. We know less than you do. If I watch TV it’s Family Guy.
“Rock’n’roll was built to go as far away from politics as you could get. When my mum and dad talked about who to vote for, I’d go in the other room and put on the Beatles or Rolling Stones – and I’m still like that.”
Cooper insists he’s a humanitarian and says he has no problem with artists using their platform to highlight global issues if it benefits others.
He adds: “I think what Bono does and what Springsteen does, Sting and all the people that raise money for others – that’s humanitarian, and I’m all for that. But I don’t think that’s political.”
Cooper is currently on tour across North America, with his next show scheduled for Kalamazoo’s Wings Event Center on August 6.
The full interview with Cooper features in the latest episode of Metal Hammer: In Residence which is available via Spotify. It also features conversations with Of Mice & Men and Anthrax’s Scott Ian.
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Alice Cooper 2016 tour dates
Aug 06: Kalamazoo Wings Event Center, MI
Aug 07: Louisville Palace, KY
Aug 09: Huntsville Von Braun Center, AL
Aug 10: Atlanta Symphony Hall, GA
Aug 12: Fort Lauderdale Boward Center For The Performing Arts
Aug 13: Clearwater Ruth Eckerd Hall, FL
Aug 14: Orlando Dr Phillips Center For The Performing Arts, FL
Aug 16: Tallahassee Pavilion, FL
Aug 17: New Orleans Saenger Theater, LA
Aug 19: Oklahoma City The Criterion, OK
Aug 20: Abilene Taylor County Coliseum, TX
Aug 21: Austin ACL Live At The Moody Theater, TX
Aug 23: Houston Revention Music Center, TX
Aug 24: Grand Prairie Verizon Theatre, TX
Aug 26: Tucson AVA Amphitheatre, AZ
Aug 28: Las Vegas Psycho Las Vegas Festival, NV
Sep 30: Lakewood The Rock Carnival, NJ
Oct 02: Lakewood First Energy Park, NJ
Oct 04: Toledo Stranahan Theater, OH
Oct 05: Indianapolis Murat Theatre, IN
Oct 06: Milwaukee Theatre, WI
Oct 08: Ralston Arena, NE
Oct 09: Bemidji Sanford Center, MN
Oct 11: Winnipeg Burton Cummings Theatre, MB
Oct 12: Regina Conexus Arts Centre, SK
Oct 13: Lethbridge ENMAZ Centre, AB
Oct 15: Calgary Winsport Arena, AB
Oct 16: Penticton South Okanagan Event Center, BC
Oct 18: Victoria The Q Centre, BC
Oct 19: Vancouver Queen Elizabeth Theatre, BC
Oct 20: Tacoma Emerald Queen Casino, WA
Oct 22: Portland Keller Auditorium, OR
Oct 25: Reno Grand Sierra Resort, NV
Oct 26: San Francisco The Warfield, CA
Oct 28: San Diego Harrah’s Resort SoCal, CA
Oct 29: Indio Fantasy Springs Casino Resort, CA
Oct 30: Hollywood Pantages Theatre, CA
