Shock rocker Cooper lends hand to pop star

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Jan 21, 2002 Source: The Desert Sun Submitted By: Melissa By Leighton Ginn INDIAN WELLS -- Like most men, shock rocker Alice Cooper said he wants to see Britney Spears topless. In the dark, twisted mind of Cooper, however, his idea of topless might be different from most men, as he explained at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. During his concert tour last year, Cooper had a girl dressed up to resemble the teen queen. In a typical Cooper move, he had her beheaded with a guillotine. "When she says hit me one more time, that’s just an invitation for Alice," Cooper said. "I said it gives Britney going topless a whole new meaning." One person who thought the routine was funny was ’N Sync star Justin Timberlake, Spears’ boyfriend. "I’ve seen it, it’s quite funny," Timberlake said. "It’s a good thing I have a good sense of humor or I might have to kick his (behind). "I’m joking. He’s a good friend." Cooper commemorated the skit with a T-shirt. "I had this shirt that said ‘Britney wants me,’ then you turn around, it says ‘dead,’ " Cooper said. "(Timberlake) wants one of those, he loved it." Don’t think Cooper has any malice toward Spears. He said it’s not really Spears he’s beheading, but a symbolic figure. "I think they get the satire in it. It’s business, nothing personal," Cooper said. "It’s not Britney, it’s that type music. I wasn’t really cutting Britney’s head off. It was that type of music and she represents that type of music and it’s funny. We certainly did it in jest." Cooper also said he respects what Spears has done in the music industry. "But she’s a great performer, you can’t take that away from her," Cooper said. "I think she makes really good records. My kids are the biggest Britney fans." Although Cooper likes to take shots at the teen music, he’s very supportive of those performers. This week, he’s playing with The Backstreet Boys’ A.J. McLean, a person to whom he has been a mentor. In July, McLean admitted himself into rehab for alcohol abuse, which postponed the pop music group’s tour. Cooper knew what McLean was going through, since he is a recovering alcoholic who has been sober for more than 20 years. "It’s very easy for me to talk about it because it happens," Cooper said. "It’s part of the business and it’s something you never see coming. "I never got into this business and realized I was going to be an alcoholic. You never see it coming. It’s just part of the everyday grind of being on the road, and you find yourself drinking more than anything else. Then you become an alcoholic. You deal with it." Cooper said one way he overcame his alcoholism is by switching addictions. "What I did was I traded in alcohol for golf," he said. "I told A.J. the same thing. You’re under a pressure situation, but don’t take it so seriously. And certainly don’t drink yourself into a grave because of it. Just have fun with it, realize that there’s really not that much pressure. You get out there, you have fun with it, do what you do. You should know you’re magically touched, got a lot of talent and keep going. And don’t destroy yourself." Cooper’s message has been received. McLean has returned to the group and says he’s doing well. "We had a couple of really good conversations," McLean said. "He’s a really big inspiration to maintain sobriety. My life today is a hell of a lot better." McLean said he also appreciates being partnered up with Cooper in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. "He gave me a lot of tips," McLean said. "He’s a much better golfer than me, but he’s a sweet, sweet man. He’s opposite from what he is on stage." Comment on this item. Next Item: BACKSTREET BOY ON FIRE! Prev Item: Star search, and a little golf