The 85th anniversary issue of Weird Tales features our big list of “The 85 Weirdest Storytellers of the Past 85 Years.” We’re breaking it down online, too: one honoree per day, in no particular order, for 85 days!

With buckets of fake blood, electric chairs, boa constrictors, coffins and (of course!) guillotines, ALICE COOPER (1948– ) put flesh on the bare bones of “shock rock.” His traveling carnival may have horrified parents, but what looked like violent self-indulgence was a much-needed escape valve for a collective psyche that was ready to blow. Cooper gave voice to disaffected teens, form to nightmares nobody wanted to mention, and carved a bloody path for later acts to follow. (Marilyn Manson, anyone?)

What’s new: Cooper is touring this summer!