Where Alice Cooper got his name as band set to reunite for first time in 50 years

Alice Cooper fans are trying to figure out the true origins of the band’s name, with the original line-up reuniting for the first time in more than 50 years to release an album this summer

People are only just realising where Alice cooper got his name after it was announced the band would get back together for a new album. It marks the first time in 51 years that the band has gotten back together, though details on the group’s name origins are still shrouded in mystery.

A longstanding rumour is the band received their name by using a Ouija board, though this suggestion has been confirmed as a false. One fan posting to Reddit shared the legend of the band’s name, which has since been proven false. The fan wrote: “The legend says the band got the name “Alice Cooper” from a Ouija board.”

Another fan has since confirmed the story is “made up” and that the actual origins of the group’s name are far smarter than the shock value of Ouija boards.The band actually chose the name Alice Cooper to contrast the darker theatrics of their music. But once they split up, their frontman legally changed his name to Alice Cooper so he could continue touring.

A post to the r/todayilearned subreddit reads: “Alice Cooper was originally the name of a band. To avoid legal complications when he started his solo career, the band’s lead singer had his name legally changed so he could continue to tour under the Alice Cooper name.”

Fans have since praised the songwriter behind ‘School’s Out’ for committing to the band and changing his name. The band will get back together for the first time in 51 years and release a new album this July.

Cooper compared the reunion to riding a bike, with the band getting back into the studio to record ‘The Revenge of Alice Cooper’. Cooper said: “Isn’t that funny after 50 years? All of a sudden it just falls into place.”

Producer Bob Ezrin has since said the band has changed very little since their heyday and that their work together, while “more mature”, still has the “interplay” the band were known for in the 1970s.

He told Billboard: “I watch the interplay between them, it’s like they just walked out of high school and were hanging out in the local café.

“They just revert to type. They revert to who they were as kids when the first got together… and make music together like they did 50-some years ago.”

A 14-track album will release in July, and is dedicated to guitarist Glen Buxton, who passed away at the age of 49 in 1997.

Cooper is keen to recapture the magic of the band and says while he sings differently, the theme is as dark as the band were in their heyday.

He said: “The original band has a darker sound, and a heavier sound. It’s a very different personality, and I even sing differently when I sing with those guys.”