Alice Cooper

Once decried as "a parent's worst nightmare," the one and only ALICE COOPER is back with a new album, "DIRTY DIAMONDS," to be released Aug. 2 on New West Records. Written and recorded in 13 days, the album stays true to the back-to-basics philosophy of 2003's "The Eyes of Alice Cooper." On "Diamonds", which was produced by Steve Lindsey (Leonard Cohen, Elton John) and Rick Boston (Rickie Lee Jones), Cooper offers a stripped-down salute to both the British Invasion past and the neo-garage-rocking present with scorching tracks like "Your Own Worst Enemy," "Run Down the Devil," "Steal That Car" "Zombie Dance" and "Sunset Babies (All Got Rabies)." He also stretches out into some surprising new musical territory.

Meanwhile, Cooper's world tour, which kicked off in Australia, will hit the U.S. in mid-Aug., with Cheap Trick joining the bill (see dates below). The shock-rocker pioneered the use of grimly grandiose stage theatrics including, but not limited to, boa constrictors, guillotines and electric chairs â€" and his new show carries his blood-curdling live act into the 21st Century. Alice Cooper is poised to wreak havoc on another generation.

Not content merely to stage an epic, blood-spattered musical assault, Cooper has also seized the airwaves. His internationally syndicated radio show, "Nights with Alice Cooper," has rapidly grown in popularity since its launch in Jan. 2004. The show airs Monday through Friday from 7pm until Midnight, via United Stations Radio Network. Targeting the Classic Rock format, Cooper incorporates music, trivia, guest interviews and, of course, his commentary. Guests have included everyone from Ozzy Osbourne, Brian May, and Slash to Dennis Miller, Jerry Springer and Sugar Ray Leonard. The show's growing success has inspired several new affiliates to jump aboard Cooper's night train. The show currently airs on over 80 stations in the U.S. and has been rated in the Top 10 in more than 25 markets.

Cooper's macabre legacy began in the '70s and exercised a huge influence on superstar acts like KISS, Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson â€" not to mention scores of artists playing everything from punk rock to pop. His extravagant, controversial shows have sold out arenas worldwide. His 30 albums have plundered the music industry of its platinum and gold. He's scored a slew of extraordinary hits, among them "I'm Eighteen," "School's Out," "No More Mr. Nice Guy," "Billion Dollar Babies" and "Welcome to My Nightmare." Now he rules the airwaves with his own show. And with a new album and tour, he’s once again prepared to carve a bloody swath across the music scene. The nightmare is far from over, and Alice Cooper remains the ringmaster.

ALICE COOPER TOUR WITH CHEAP TRICK

(*Except Aug. 21 in Detroit)

Aug. 20 Cincinnati, Ohio @ US Bank Arena

Aug. 21 Detroit, Mich. @ Michigan State Fair

Aug. 22 Toronto, Ontario @ The Docks

Aug. 25 Vienna, Va. @ Wolf Trap

Aug. 26 Atlanta, Ga. @ Chastain Park Amphitheatre

Aug. 28 Farmingville, N.Y. @ Brookhaven Amphitheatre

Aug. 29 Holmdel, N.J. @ PNC Bank Arts Center

Aug. 30 Syracuse, N.Y. @ State Fair

Sept. 1 Rockford, Ill. @ On The Waterfront Festival

Sept. 2 Madison, Wis. @ Alliant Energy Center

Sept. 4 Loveland, Colo. @ Budweiser Events Center

Sept. 5 Pueblo, Colo. @ State Fair

Sept. 7 Topeka, Kan. @ Landon Arena

Sept. 9 Grand Junction, Colo. @ Rock Jam

Sept. 10 Albuquerque, N.M. @ State Fair

Sept. 14 Alpine, Calif. @ Viejas Concerts in the Park

Sept. 16 Los Angeles, Calif. @ The Greek Theatre