- Alice Cooper will release his definitive memoir, Devil on My Shoulder, in October 2026.
- The book promises to separate fact from fiction after 60 years of rock legends and stage mythology.
- Cooper explores the duality between Vincent Furnier, a sober, religious preacher’s son, and his monstrous alter ego.
- An 8-date U.K. tour in Q&A format will accompany the book’s release.
At Woodbrass, we grew up with School’s Out blasting through the speakers and a poster of Alice Cooper’s dripping makeup in the back room. When we learned that the godfather of shock rock was about to deliver his most intimate memoir, it hit like a falling guillotine. At 78, Vincent Furnier announces the release of Devil on My Shoulder: A Memoir, due in October 2026. A dive into six decades of rock, chaos, and redemption. Let’s break it down.
Why a third autobiography?
This is not the first time Alice Cooper has put his life on paper. There was Me, Alice in 1976, followed by Golf Monster in 2007 — yes, an entire book about his passion for golf. But this time, the ambition is very different. Published by Ebury Spotlight in the U.K. and Da Capo Press in the United States, Devil on My Shoulder is being billed as the definitive autobiography.
The pitch? After more than 30 albums and decades of rumors and pure invention, Cooper finally wants to separate reality from myth. To set the record straight about one of the most theatrical careers in rock history.
Vincent versus Alice: the duel at the heart of the book
The common thread running through these memoirs is the fascinating duality between two irreconcilable personalities. On one side, the stage character: a murderer, morally corrupt, threatening the Western world with a guillotine and a boa constrictor. On the other, the man behind the makeup: a preacher’s son, sober for decades and married for 50 years.
Cooper explains it himself: born Vincent Damon Furnier, he eventually legally changed his name to that of his character, losing sight of who he really was. The all-American good boy turned into a monster.
The title Devil on My Shoulder refers to the classic image of an angel and devil on each shoulder. Cooper recounts how “Alice,” that deceitful inner voice, whispered in his ear for years while posing as his conscience — until he found faith and regained control.
Stories featuring the biggest legends
If you’re a fan of legendary name-dropping, this book will be right up your alley. Cooper promises stories featuring a dream cast:
- Salvador Dalí and Andy Warhol — shock rock meets avant-garde
- John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, and Frank Sinatra
- Groucho Marx, Bob Hope, and Bette Davis
- Vincent Price — the horror legend who lent his voice to Welcome to My Nightmare
- Tiger Woods — golf, always golf
The book will also cover his iconic stage props: the guillotine, the snake, the dead babies, and the famous “Cold Ethyl.”
To recapture the raw sound of Alice Cooper’s early albums, think warm humbucker pickups on a Gibson SG or Les Paul-style guitar, plugged into a tube amp pushed to its limits. The secret to the “Cooper” sound: natural overdrive and aggressive yet melodic guitar playing, a direct legacy of ’60s garage rock.
An artist still firing on all cylinders
At 78, Alice Cooper has clearly not hung up his gloves — or his straitjacket. His 2026 schedule is simply insane:
- Special “Welcome to Our Nightmare” shows in Las Vegas with magician Criss Angel
- A North American tour starting in April
- Summer shows with the Hollywood Vampires, his supergroup with Joe Perry (Aerosmith) and Johnny Depp
- An 8-date U.K. tour in October to promote the book, with Q&As and a guest moderator
And let’s not forget that last year, The Revenge of Alice Cooper reunited the surviving members of the original band for the first time in 50 years, to strong critical acclaim.
Want to recreate Alice Cooper’s stage energy? We recommend checking out our hard rock-style electric guitars and our selection of tube amps to achieve that distinctive organic overdrive and vintage character. Also explore our distortion and overdrive pedals to shape your own shock rock sound!
An essential literary event for rock fans
Devil on My Shoulder is shaping up to be far more than a simple memoir. It is a journey into the heart of one of rock’s most fascinating personalities, spanning addiction, faith, fame, and constant reinvention.
The book will be released on October 8, 2026 in hardcover for 25 £ in the U.K. Tickets for the British Q&A tour go on general sale from March 13, 2026 — each ticket includes a copy of the book. Until then, Alice Cooper will be touring around the world. The nightmare is far from over.
Sources
- Rolling Stone – Alice Cooper’s New Memoir Will Explore Singer’s ‘Evilution’
- Blabbermouth – Alice Cooper Announces Definitive Memoir ‘Devil On My Shoulder’
- Loudwire – Alice Cooper to Chronicle His ‘Evilution’ in New Autobiography
- Rock Cellar Magazine – Alice Cooper to Publish ‘Devil On My Shoulder’ Memoir
- Wikipedia – Alice Cooper
