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Sheryl Cooper

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Sheryl Cooper
Cooper in 2022
Born
Sheryl Goddard

1956 or 1957 (age 67–68)
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
EducationCitrus College
Occupations
Spouse
​
(m. 1976)​
Children3, including Calico

Sheryl Cooper (née Goddard, c. May 20, 1956) is an American dancer, stage performer, and the wife of the shock rock singer Alice Cooper. In addition to regularly performing on tour with her husband, she teaches, choreographs, produces, and directs children's dance and theatre in the Phoenix, Arizona area. She also is an executive board member of Alice Cooper's Solid Rock teen centers.

Biography and touring career

[edit]

Sheryl Cooper was born Sheryl Goddard in Denver, Colorado.[1][2] At age 3, her family moved to Connecticut while her father studied at Yale University.[2] They then re-located to the Pasadena area of California.[2][3] She began dancing at a young age, training in classical ballet until age 16, when she switched to jazz.[3] Part of her schooling included an apprenticeship with Joffrey Ballet.[4]

Sheryl met Alice in 1975 at the age of 18, when she auditioned as a dancer for his "Welcome to My Nightmare" tour. She was studying jazz at Citrus College when she became aware that Alice Cooper was holding auditions for two female and two male dancers for a one-and-one-half year contract which included a world tour, a television special, and stage appearances.[3] With her classical music background, she was unfamiliar with rock music.[4] "I knew everything about Bach, Rachmaninoff, Schumann, Mozart – but nothing about rock and roll. I could tell you who the Beatles were, and that was about it."[5] When she found out about the auditions for Cooper's tour, she responded "Wow. Alice Cooper. Who is she?"[4][5] "I thought I was auditioning for some blond, female folk singer."[6] Around 3,000 women auditioned for the roles, and after two days, Sheryl was successful in landing a position as one of the dancers.[3][4] At the time, Cooper's combination of rock and theater and the inclusion of dancers was unprecedented.[5][7] At first, the two did not get along well.[4] The first time she touched him, she was teaching him how to stretch and she hurt him.[6] However, one night during the tour, Goddard joined other musicians and dancers at Cooper's hotel suite after a concert to eat pizza and watch horror movies.[5][4] She found herself so engaged in conversation with Cooper that she failed to notice everyone else gradually leaving the room. When she got up to leave, he jokingly asked if she would kiss him goodnight. Sheryl granted him the request, more passionately than she expected.[5] They dated for 12 months and married on March 3, 1976, in Acapulco, Mexico.[5][8]

Sheryl (right) performing with Alice (left) at Wembley Arena in 2017.

In the second half of the 1970s, Alice became deeply consumed by alcoholism, going to rehab twice, in 1976 and 1979. Sheryl attempted to intervene for him.[5] In the early 1980s, Alice also developed a cocaine addiction so severe that he has no memory of recording, or touring for, three albums from that period.[9] Sheryl initiated divorce proceedings in November 1983.[10] Alice finally committed to sobriety that year,[5] and Sheryl reconciled with him months later in 1984.[11]

Cooper kissing a mock-up of Alice's severed head. At The O2 Arena in Greenwich, May 2022.

Since the start of her career in 1975, Sheryl frequently tours with her husband as a dancer, choreographer, and backing singer,[12][13][14][15] although she went on hiatus when their children were young.[16] Some performances have involved acts where Alice kills her or fails in his attempt to do so.[17][18][19] A longstanding act is her portraying a sadistic ghoulish nurse (sometimes alongside their daughter Calico performing a similar character), a character who often beheads him.[20][17][18] The beheadings are then followed up by her holding up and sometimes kissing the severed head while the band plays "I Love the Dead".[21][22][23] In 1987, when Alice returned to touring after recovering from addiction, Sheryl portrayed a giant spider.[24] Recent acts have seen her as a devil, a ghost, and a Marie Antoinette-style character which helps apprehend Alice and sends him to the guillotine.[21][25] When her daughter Calico was hired by Alice in 2001 to perform instead of herself in the Brutal Planet tour, Sheryl instructed Calico in dancing while using a bullwhip, the "bullwhip girl" being a character Sheryl had previously portrayed.[26]

Additional work and projects

[edit]
Alice and Sheryl Cooper at the Arizona Chamber of Commerce's 2013 Heritage Awards Dinner at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona

Cooper has instructed dance and choreography for decades. In the early 1980s, she taught at two Valley Profile for Dance studios in Paradise Valley, Arizona.[4] In 1998, she was a choreography instructor for CC Dance.[3] Since the mid-1990s, she and Alice have written, produced, and performed at the Hopi Variety Show, a talent show for Hopi Elementary School.[3][27][28] In 1995, Sheryl and Alice, along with their friend Chuck Savale, founded Alice Cooper's Solid Rock, a non-profit foundation for inner-city teens in Arizona.[20][29] After finding a benefactor, Genesis Church, the first center was opened in 2012, a second center opened in 2020, and the forthcoming opening of a third was announced 2023.[30][15][20][29] An annual fundraiser for the non-profit, Alice Cooper's Christmas Pudding, is held every December in the form of a variety show and contest.[15][17][31] In 2003, Cooper opened a 500-student dance school called Destiny Dance International.[32] She then closed the school in 2007 to teach weekly at a Scottsdale location and devote more time to Solid Rock.[5] She and her friend Lisa Savale co-founded a women's aerobics ministry at their church, Camelback Bible Church.[5]

Family

[edit]

Sheryl and Alice have three children – Calico, Dashiel, and Sonora – and four grandchildren.[20][33][34] Since 1985, she and Alice have resided in Paradise Valley.[35]

Discography

[edit]
Year Title Artist Credit
1977 From the Inside Alice Cooper Vocals[36]
1999 The Life and Crimes of Alice Cooper Vocals[37]
2019 Rise Hollywood Vampires Vocals, composition, engineering[38]
2021 Detroit Stories Alice Cooper Vocals, dancer[38]
2023 Road Vocals[39]

Videography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1975 Alice Cooper: The Nightmare Cold Ethyl Television special [12]
1976 Welcome to My Nightmare Concert video [40]
1977 "(No More) Love at Your Convenience"

(by Alice Cooper)

Herself Music video [41]
1978 Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Feature film [42]
1979 The Strange Case of Alice Cooper Herself - dancer Concert video [43]
1980 Roadie Feature film [44]
1982 Alice Cooper a Paris Television special [45]
2014 Super Duper Alice Cooper Herself; photography Documentary [42][38]
2019 "Beginning of the End"

(by Kane Roberts featuring Alice Cooper and Alissa White-Gluz)

Herself Music video [46]
2021 A Paranormal Evening at the Olympia Paris Concert film [47]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Lester, Peter (September 4, 1978). "Couples: Sheryl Cooper Got Her Husband Alice On The Wagon And Back On The Road Again". People. p. 56. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Graff 2023, p. 94
  3. ^ a b c d e f Stevens, Lindsey (February 1998). "Getting to Know Sheryl Cooper". Arcadia News. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Webb, Dewey (September 7, 1983). ""I Bore Alice Cooper's Child"". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Rodgers, Larry (September 6, 2016). "Alice Cooper's wife, Sheryl, kids keep the faith". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Trulson, Nora Burba (August 1991). "Welcome to My Remodel: Alice and Sheryl Cooper Remodel a Paradise Valley Ranch and Call it Home". Phoenix Home and Garden. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  7. ^ Graff, Gary (January 31, 2023). Alice Cooper at 75. Motorbooks. p. 88. ISBN 978-0-7603-7827-4.
  8. ^ "News Report". Time. March 29, 1976. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  9. ^ Parker, Lyndsey (July 2, 2020). "Alice Cooper talks early-'80s 'blackout albums': 'The coke had done its damage'". Yahoo! News. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  10. ^ "Hearing on Support Scheduled in Alice Cooper Divorce Case". The Arizona Republic. December 15, 1983. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  11. ^ Bang Showbiz NZ (June 23, 2019). "Alice Cooper has death pact with wife". Yahoo! News. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Alice Cooper Dances in Hell". Circus. August 10, 1976. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  13. ^ Rucker, Erica (April 26, 2023). "Five Decades Strong: Alice Cooper Talks Longevity". LEO Weekly. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  14. ^ Nowlin, Sanford. "Rock icon Alice Cooper is still touring, still recording, and that should come as no shock". San Antonio Current. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  15. ^ a b c Masley, Ed (November 25, 2021). "For Alice and Sheryl Cooper, Christmas Pudding is a calling and a chance to give back". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  16. ^ Quinn, Dave (June 28, 2019). "Alice Cooper Shuts Down Rumors That He Has a Death Pact with His Wife: 'I'm Booked Through 2028'". People. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  17. ^ a b c Masley, Ed (December 14, 2014). "Alice Cooper brings guillotine to Christmas Pudding". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  18. ^ a b Blatt, Ruth (May 11, 2015). "How Does Alice Cooper Keep Killing It At His Job At The Age Of 67?". Forbes. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  19. ^ Scancarelli, Derek (October 17, 2018). "Alice Cooper On Beheadings, Sideshow Attitude And Johnny Depp". Forbes. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  20. ^ a b c d Shollenbarger, Maria (September 27, 2021). "A conversation with Alice Cooper". Financial Times. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  21. ^ a b Stoddard, Cait (October 29, 2022). "Live Review: Alice Cooper Brings Detroit Muscle Tour to Loveland Colorado -". mxdwn Music. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  22. ^ Thomas, Jamie (August 17, 2023). "Alice Cooper Brings His Too Close for Comfort Tour to Springfield". 417 Magazine. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  23. ^ Masley, Ed (July 20, 2014). "Review: Motley Crue final tour, Alice Cooper in Phoenix". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  24. ^ "Alice Cooper returns: 'I had a choice – stop or die' - Metal Edge Magazine". Metal Edge. March 1987. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  25. ^ Graff, Gary (April 29, 2023). "Alice Cooper Launches Too Close for Comfort Tour: Set List". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  26. ^ "Calico Cooper Interview". Fixe Force. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  27. ^ Bartholomew, Penny Nelson (February 22, 2002). "Of Human Interest: News-lite". UPI. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  28. ^ Gleich, Mallory (April 1, 2022). "Hopi Variety Show takes audiences on tour around the globe". Arcadia News. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  29. ^ a b Hannah, Jolyn (September 12, 2023). "Rock legend Alice Cooper opening third center for teens in the Valley". 12News.com. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  30. ^ Woodford, Lea (November 21, 2012). "Sheryl Cooper talks Christmas Pudding and Solid Rock". SmartFem Magazine. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  31. ^ Goldberg, Jennifer. "Celebrating 20 Years of Alice Cooper's Christmas Pudding, Phoenix's Coolest Holiday Concert". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  32. ^ Roberston, Anne (July 11, 2003). "Rocker's wife opens dance academy". The Business Journals Phoenix. Archived from the original on June 15, 2004. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  33. ^ Laudadio, Marisa (June 23, 2019). "Rocker Alice Cooper reveals death pact with wife of 43 years". Wonderwall.com. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  34. ^ Meinert, Kendra. "Alice Cooper is coming to Appleton, and he misses his fans even if he's loved being 'Pop-Pop'". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  35. ^ Rhoades, Rebecca L. (June 19, 2020). "Inside Alice Cooper's Rock 'n' Roll Residence". Phoenix Home & Garden. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  36. ^ Product credits. Online version of credits.
  37. ^ Product credits
  38. ^ a b c "Sheryl Cooper Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  39. ^ Product credits.
  40. ^ Film credits. Online listing of credits.
  41. ^ Rhino (May 9, 2018). "Alice Cooper - (No More) Love At Your Convenience (Official Music Video)". Retrieved September 25, 2023 – via YouTube.
  42. ^ a b "Sheryl Cooper". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  43. ^ "Sheryl Cooper". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  44. ^ "Roadie". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  45. ^ "Alice Cooper à Paris (1982)", Letterboxd, retrieved September 25, 2023
  46. ^ Frontiers Music srl (January 28, 2019). "Kane Roberts - "Beginning Of The End" feat. Alice Cooper & Alissa White-Gluz (Official Music Video)". Retrieved September 16, 2023 – via YouTube.
  47. ^ "Sheryl Cooper Movies and Shows - Apple TV". Apple TV. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
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