School’s Out: A Rockstar Conversation (Alice & Sheryl Interview, 2018)

This week we take a look at another Alice & Sheryl Cooper interview. In late 2018, they were featured in a Q&A session with Joe Polish’s Genius Network. The discussion is close to an hour long and well worth watching.

Many of the topics Alice and Sheryl discuss are familiar ones about them. However, Polish does a great job of allowing them to expound and give more details about specific events and scenarios they experienced independently and as a couple.

This week we will look at a few lines from the interview and discuss them in more detail. It’s safe to say we find this couple fascinating and love learning more about them and their calling.

The interview is comprised of 15+ discussion topics. However, we will only be looking at a few. The topic name and timestamps in the interview are listed before the discussion.

Success Complex (9:08) & Alice Cooper’s Big Mission (18:21)

We purposely combined these two sections because they are closely related.

Alice explains in the interview that many musicians and success stories genuinely believe they don’t deserve fame or glory. Therefore, they are willing to sabotage their lives and their careers instead.

“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. – Luke 12:4-7

As listed in the verses above, no matter what our earthly gains or net worth equals, our Heavenly Father values us like no other. In a nutshell, He doesn’t make junk.

The gifts, abilities, and successes we attain are a tribute to Him. He’s given us the ability to create, entertain, and influence. We have been given the free will to use our talents and gifts. How do we decide to utilize them? Whom do we seek for counsel?

Alice is asked about his big mission (Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock). He quickly declares that God doesn’t have a problem with him being Alice Cooper. “Be Alice Cooper but follow me” is what God revealed to him. And with that, Alice’s mission was quickly revealed.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. – Ephesians 2:8-10

If you don’t watch or listen to any other part of the interview, at least give these sections a listen. The neighborhood ministry Alice witnessed, the groundwork for “The Rock,” and some of the stories told are fascinating. If you want an in-depth look at who The Coopers are, look no further than their ministry.

You’ll hear Alice say, “We are the facility” – Christ’s Ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). Through resources, talents, networking, and community, The Coopers can serve and use their skills and abilities to further Christ’s Kingdom here on earth. Like them, we have been called to make a difference (Ephesians 2:10).

What is your calling? Why are you here?

Lessons on Having a Successful Life (36:06)

The Coopers point to priorities and perspectives in this segment. Sheryl mentions that “Who you are is not necessarily what you do… it’s a by-product of who you are…,” and like Alice, it doesn’t define us completely. Alice Cooper, the character, does not describe Alice Cooper, the man.

The plans of the heart belong to man,
    but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
    but the Lord weighs the spirit.
3 Commit your work to the Lord,
    and your plans will be established. – Psalms 16:1-3

Our hearts and motives define us – not our careers, flaws, or other aspects. We are not defined by what we do but by who we know and the Spirit found within (Galatians 2:20). Are we choosing to live a life based on God’s Word?

Our reward comes from knowing our Creator intimately, not by amassing the things of this world or what we do to get them but by serving Him (Colossians 3:23-24).

The Pain In Alice Cooper’s Life (45:58)

Alice admits that not having God’s approval while playing the character was painful. However, he explained that it all changed once he renewed his faith and defined what playing Alice Cooper, the villain, meant.

Declaring he was Christian, by all means, should have sealed the deal for Alice and Rock ‘n’ Roll. His career should have most likely been over. However, God has a way of working in the most unlikely ways.

Alice was ready to submit to Christ and willing to give up everything. Warned by his manager, he was asked, “What’s it going to cost (to change your mind)?” Alice’s reply was profound. “Nothing and everything,” was his response.

Alice’s heart is where the genuine change took place.

Turn away from evil and do good;
    seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
    and his ears toward their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
    to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
    and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
    and saves the crushed in spirit. – Psalms 34:14-18

In the above-listed verses, notice how our Lord’s eyes are turned towards righteous ones. Yet righteousness is not something we can attain on our own. It comes from knowing and accepting Christ and His Spirit (Romans 3:22). In turn, we are made righteous by and through Him.

Only God could alleviate the pain and addiction Alice was struggling with – anyone else pointing fingers became the enemy.

What is it that holds us back? What pain and struggles are we trying to hide? Have we laid them at the feet of Christ?

Advice to Your Younger Self (50:52)

“Check yourself,” Alice declared. Then he went into detail about how he made sure his children questioned alcohol and any dependence they may have had on it. Sheryl chimes in by saying that “demystifying” alcohol and other things is also essential.

Drawing lines in the sand and setting limits upon things isn’t a bad practice. However, it relies on willpower. Some have that, some don’t, but ultimately we are destined for failure if we walk alone without His help.

“I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:1-2

As the above verses discuss, God lays out what is holy and acceptable. Therefore, relying on Him instead of leaving things in our own hands is paramount. True discernment comes from His Spirit (1 Corinthians 10:12-13, James 1:5).

In conclusion, again, we recommend watching this video from start to finish. We’ve only highlighted a few discussion points, but the entire video is exceptional. Learning more about Alice & Sheryl Cooper, we continue to see our Lord’s Love, Mercy, and Grace gleaming through them.

We leave you with these words from Isaiah and hope you enjoy the weekend.

“But now, this is what the Lord says – he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.’” – Isaiah 43:1-2

That’s it for this week. Be well, and catch you next Friday!

Until then, keep Walkin’ in Faith and Rockin’ with Alice!