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Alice Cooper

The man is 52 and was already rocking shock when Marilyn Manson was still sucking his thumb. Today the enthusiastic golfer presents himself as reformed.

Why are you filling out this questionnaire?

Because this will be my last interview of the day.

Where are you staying at the moment?

In a luxury suite in an upscale Berlin hotel.

What kind of music is going through your head at the moment?

Rob Zombie's album Hellbilly Deluxe and Americana by The Offspring.

What was the first record in your collection, and how old were you when you bought it?

I was six, and it was "Roll Over Beethoven" by Chuck Berry.

What is the worst song you've ever recorded?

The only song out of 25 albums that has ever embarrassed me—like the Beatles' "All My Loving"—is a parody of a disco song that people took seriously: "Love At Your Convenience" from the 1979 album Lace And Whiskey.

Which band did you last see live, and what was it like?

No Doubt in Phoenix, and it was great. I never would have expected them to put on such good entertainment.

What is the greatest film of all time?

Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid.

Which famous film should never have been made, and why?

(Laughs loudly.) There are so incredibly many!

Who is your hero (or heroine), and why?

Salvador Dalí. Because of his incredible inner strength.

What profession would you have today if you hadn't become a musician?

I would write screenplays.

What do you currently have in your pockets?

Nasal spray because I have a cold, and a very old wallet.

How much does a liter of milk cost?

In the USA, about $1.25.

Who is the most attractive person on this planet?

Catherine Zeta-Jones. Although I should probably say "my wife," in case she reads this.

What do you believe is your most valuable possession?

Catherine Zeta-Jones—ha ha—no, a Rolex from 1938.

What was the biggest trouble you've ever gotten into?

If my wife reads this, it's Catherine Zeta-Jones. Seriously: I was arrested in Australia, and to this day I don't know why. I suspect someone carried out some crooked business under my name. I was released after posting $65,000 bail.

When was the last time you cried, and what was the reason?

For years, not at all. But then exactly three days ago, because of an old friend who is emotionally completely at the end of his rope. I was so distressed that the tears just poured out.

Have you ever deliberately lied in an interview?

(Laughs.) Oh yes, I do that all the time. About 80 percent of this interview is made up.

What is your drug?

Television and Diet Coke.

What is your most unpleasant character trait?

I'm addicted to shopping.

What kind of child were you at school?

I had my school completely under control and absolutely controlled my teachers and classmates.

What is your greatest fear?

Needles.

What was the stupidest job you've ever had?

I've only ever had one job. Rock 'n' roll for 35 years. That's the stupidest job of my life.

What was the most embarrassing moment of your life?

Once I was supposed to be shot across the stage from a gigantic cannon. The trick was that there was a dummy inside the cannon. The cannon went off with a tremendous bang, but the dummy just flopped out of the front like a wet sack. I was furious and kicked the stupid thing right into the audience. The next day I sold the cannon to Mick Jagger.

What makes you furious?

People who talk during movies. A good reason for murder.

What do your enemies say about you?

I don't have a single enemy in this world.

What music should be played at your funeral, and why?

West Side Story. When I was growing up in Detroit, youth gangs like that still existed there. I've felt connected to them all my life.

Happiness is...

...my daughter Sonora.

Where are you going now?

To the airport, to fly to Cologne.

(Originally published in the German magazine, Musikexpress, circa 2001. Translated into English from the original German language text.)