Shocktober: Alice Cooper coming to Lynn Auditorium

LYNN – Salem may have its Haunted Happenings and witches. But this October, Alice Cooper will be inviting fans into his nightmare at Lynn Auditorium.Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy mentioned in a speech Sunday sponsored by the Lynn Community Association that shock rocker and heavy metal icon Cooper will be performing at Lynn Auditorium in October.But Kennedy offered no further details. And although Kennedy appeared very excited to share the news, she mentioned it almost as an aside while touting the success of Lynn Auditorium. The approximately 40 people in the audience did not have much of a reaction.In fact, Kennedy’s reminder that Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan, would be performing in July caused more of a stir.But Sunday’s meeting focused more on issues affecting Lynn residents’ quality of life.Perhaps it’s a good thing the audience appeared unfamiliar with the “Prince of Darkness” whose albums include “Welcome to My Nightmare” (1975), “Alice Cooper Goes to Hell” (1976), and “Raise Your Fist and Yell” (1987).City Community Development Director James Marsh confirmed Monday that Cooper would appear Oct. 17 in the auditorium.Marsh said the city would make an official announcement later this month about the show, including information about when tickets would be offered for sale or how much they would cost.And he said that Cooper would be appearing as a solo act. Cooper is currently on the “Masters of Madness” tour with 1990s shock rocker Marilyn Manson.Cooper and his band achieved their greatest musical fame with a string of hits from the early 1970s including “School’s Out (for Summer).”Yet he has remained in the cultural spotlight and dispelled or challenged many of the myths of the chicken-beheading, blood-sucking persona of Alice Cooper.He famously taught Mike Myers and Dana Carvey about the history of Milwaukee in the movie “Wayne’s World.” He has hosted a syndicated classic rock radio show for nearly a decade. Cooper has also written a book detailing his addiction: to golf. He also claims that he never bit the head off a live chicken onstage.So maybe the audience members Sunday just didn’t recognize the name of that nice golfer with the penchant for mascara? Plus, they complained about the rats plaguing the city. In addition to macabre theatrics routinely including guillotines, knives and monsters, Cooper is notorious for his love of snakes.Cyrus Moulton can be reached at [email protected].