A Preacher's Son Gone Astray
Alice Cooper, born Vincent Damon Furnier on February 4, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan, rose to fame as a rock musician known for his theatrical performances. Despite his success, Alice's life was marked by a struggle with alcohol and drug addiction. Raised in a Christian household, his father was a pastor and his grandfather an evangelist, yet the pressures of fame led him astray.
Consumed by Addiction
By 1977, Alice was consuming nearly two cases of beer and a bottle of whiskey daily. He reflected, 'I didn't realize that I was an alcoholic until I realized that the alcohol was not for fun anymore. It was medicine.' His addiction strained his marriage, and his wife, Sheryl Goddard, filed for divorce. The turning point came when he awoke one morning vomiting blood. 'I woke up one morning and I threw up blood, and that's how I kind of knew it was over,' he admitted, acknowledging the dire state of his health.
A Miraculous Recovery
In desperation, Alice called out to God. He entered rehab where he experienced what doctors described as a 'miraculous' recovery. Alice credits this transformation to his renewed faith in Christ, saying, 'God just literally took it away from me.' Since 1983, he has maintained sobriety and reconciled with Sheryl in 1984.
Faith and Rock Music
Alice's relationship with Christ has profoundly influenced his life and work. He asserts, 'There's nothing in Christianity that says I can't be a rock star. People talk about Alice being a rebel — there was never more of a rebel than Jesus Christ.' His pastor encouraged him to continue his music career, emphasizing, 'Now you're a Christian, go be in a rock and roll band, but follow me be Alice Cooper.'
Today, Alice uses his platform to help others overcome substance abuse and runs a rock program for troubled teens. He reflects on his journey, stating, 'I always refer to myself as the real Prodigal Son, because I went out and the Lord let me do everything and then just started reeling me back in.' Alice Cooper's life is a testament to the transformative power of faith.
