By the close of the 1960s, Alice Cooper had evolved from a psychedelic curiosity into one of the most dangerous and exciting forces in American rock. Formed in Phoenix before eventually relocating to Los Angeles, the original group of Alice Cooper, Glen Buxton, Michael Bruce, Dennis Dunaway and Neal Smith fused hard-edged rock with shock theatre, black humour and a rebellious streak that set them apart from their contemporaries. After attracting the attention of Frank Zappa and signing to Straight Records, the band achieved a commercial breakthrough in 1971 with the landmark album Love It to Death.
Released in November 1971, Killer cemented the band’s reputation as masters of spectacle. Darker, tighter and more ambitious than its predecessor, Killer was a major commercial success because it captured everything that made Alice Cooper unique: razor-sharp riffs, unforgettable hooks, menace and satire. At the dawn of the 1970s, the band seemed unstoppable, touring relentlessly and building a reputation for chaotic, electrifying live performances that stunned audiences across America and beyond.
Captured at Civic Arena on 27 December 1971 during the celebrated ‘Killer Tour’, this performance finds Alice Cooper at the absolute height of their early powers. Fierce, aggressive and overflowing with energy, the show perfectly illustrates why the band became one of the most talked-about live acts of the era. For many fans, the Killer Tour represented the definitive Alice Cooper experience, and this Pittsburgh recording captures that magic in full flight, with the band delivering one of the finest performances of the tour that was broadcast too on local radio.
