In 2015, Alice Cooper teamed up with a plethora of other artists, including Brian Johnson (AC/DC), Slash (Guns N’ Roses), Kip Winger (Winger), and many others, to record Hollywood Vampires, an LP devoted to songs and classic artists that have passed away.  

What was originally an album concept ultimately became a band – Alice teamed up with actor Johnny Depp and Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry.

“The Hollywood Vampires is a project put together by Alice Cooper and actor Johnny Depp. Originally set to be an Alice Cooper album, as time went on, it became a separate band in its own right. The idea was to get together and play songs by classic artists that had passed away due to the rock’n’roll excesses of drink and drugs, although it could be argued not all the artists’ deaths really come under that banner.

Cooper and Depp had met in 2012 on the set of the movie ‘Dark Shadows’ which starred Johnny and featured a cameo appearance by Alice. A relationship formed, and they talked about working together as Depp had originally arrived in Los Angeles to be a musician, not an actor, and was an accomplished guitarist in his own right. Due to various other commitments, it took some years for the band to really get working, although some writing and recording were done in 2012 as guitarist/producer Tommy Henriksen had mentioned ‘Raise The Dead’ as being a new song for a possible Alice Cooper ‘EP’ which was never released.

While Joe Perry of Aerosmith is now considered the third partner in Hollywood Vampires, that only came about after the project was off the ground. If you look at the credits on the album, you’ll see Perry is only present on four of the album’s fourteen core tracks and was obviously just another guest until it became time for the band to play live when he committed fully to the band.” – Hollywood Vampires, sickthingsuk.co.uk/01-discography/37-hollywood-vampires.php

“School’s Out/Another Brick In The Wall Pt.2” features a star-studded roster performing two one-size-fits-all anthems combined into a single track. The lineup is as follows: 

Vocals: Alice Cooper, Brian Johnson
Guitar: Slash, Joe Perry, Johnny Depp, Tommy Henriksen, Bruce Witkin
Drums: Neal Smith
Bass: Dennis Dunaway
Background Vocals: Kip Winger, Bob Ezrin

“School’s Out,” in particular, celebrates the solace of Summer or, for a High School (or College) graduate, the end of school entirely. While “Another Brick In The Wall Pt.2” denotes the annoyances of structured thought instead of free thinking.

Alice has always said, “The two most joyous times of the year are Christmas morning and the end of school.” How true? How simple yet profound?

When most of us were younger, the end of the school year was met with excitement, anticipation, and meaning. We knew what to expect and what was to come. However, today’s youth may not feel the same.

In early 2020, we succumbed to a new set of rules – a new normal. As a result, businesses, employees, employers, parents, teachers, etc., shuffled their lives around to find their footing.

As we reacquaint ourselves with everyday life and the normalities we knew before COVID-19, it’s evident that adolescents and children were the most affected during that time. Many students still struggle with social anxieties, learning deficiencies, and other hindrances caused by the pandemic.

As the school year ends, many still need remedial reading, mathematics courses, and other supplemental schooling to help them make up for the time spent away in 2020. Summer school will, unfortunately, be needed to help those students catch up.

However, thankfully, students greet and embrace each other with hugs and high-fives as they depart for another school year. It seems the fear of the pandemic has been flushed away. Hopefully, the Summer brings with it a more certain feeling of excitement and adventure.

Humanity has learned to survive and move forward instead of regressing backward into darkness. As futile as it may seem, we continue to carry on.

Some may ask, where was the silver lining in all we’ve been through and seen? What is it about the nightmare that offers anything positive or noteworthy?

“We know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

As we walk further and deeper into our journey, we find that faith and the guidance of His Word lead us to a different attitude and outlook. This approach requires us to ask questions – but maybe ask them a little differently.

Questions like:

• Where is the good in this?
• What can be learned from this experience?
• How does this relate to God’s plan?

God’s Word is written from the perspective of many that weren’t living lives full of pleasure and bliss. Instead, many were laced with hardship, pain, betrayal, imprisonment, plagues, and other circumstances. But, they were driven by their ability to focus NOT on their surroundings but instead on His call.

His calling is the reason we are here on Earth. It drives us and motivates us to seek His purpose and His will. Multiple verses discuss spiritual gifts, callings, and our purpose for being here, but perhaps Paul best describes what that means.

“I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy, whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” – Philippians 4:12-13 (MSG)

Our calling and purpose remain the same, always – no matter the circumstances.

• To seek Him first (Matthew 6:33-34, Hebrews 3:1)
• To spread the Good News of the gospel (Mark 16:15, 1 Peter 3:15-16)
• To humbly love one another (Ephesians 4:1-6),
• To place others before ourselves (Philippians 2:1-4)
• Serve others as stewards of God’s grace (1 Peter 4:10-11).

These tasks transcend all aspects of our lives, and we are also asked to teach our children these same values.

As parents, guardians, or any adult working with children, our Creator has entrusted us with the care of His children. We are asked to raise them correctly (Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:4) – while helping them see the joy in life (Colossians 3:21). It’s no small task. It’s a BIG deal.

Our children watch us navigate life’s joys, trials, and tribulations. They learn about faith, God, and life’s mysteries by watching adults they know while learning how to address fear, pain, and darkness.

What are we teaching them through our actions towards others and God? Are we teaching them that Romans 8:28 always applies – even when things seem desperate or lost?

We have all been placed in this time for a reason. We have been chosen to live these moments for a purpose. So, what will we do with those hours, minutes, and seconds?

Like many generations before us, we will be remembered based on our reactions and ability to overcome adversities while teaching future generations how to prosper. School may be out, but the learning continues.

• What are we teaching the people and family we love most?
• What about those we barely know or don’t understand?
• Are we showing them God’s Love?
• Are we teaching them to see our Creator and the joys of life?
• When given opportunities to share, what will we do with them?

As the Holy Spirit moves us, we must not be afraid to take unexpected avenues and further touch the hearts of ALL humanity. God uses us as vessels connecting one another to Him and His Word.

Wrapping up this week’s post, the last few years have been tough. For some, it may have produced brighter moments; for others, maybe it’s darker. But, as adults, we must remember that our children are experiencing all of this.

Whether parents, grandparents, teachers, caregivers, etc., we are interwoven into a family – God’s creation, humanity. Are we learning more about God’s Love and what it means to care for one another? Are we teaching future generations how to Love as well?

It’s true; we have been called to be shepherds of our flock (1 Peter 5:2-3). However, Jesus also extended the call to feed the hungry, give water to those who thirst, take in the stranger, clothe the naked, and care for the sick (Matthew 25:40-45). Are we finding ways to meet those needs?

School’s out once again, but His Love is still in session. Are we teaching the world how wonderful the Light of Christ is? Does it shine brightly in our hearts and our actions? Do we share His Love with everyone or only a select few?

As new uncertainty arises, will we, His body, the church, help pick up the pieces of a broken world? A broken world in need of a Savior. Will the church allow His Spirit to move and help heal the world’s wounds, or will we ignore them?

In conclusion, “School’s Out for Summer.” This song will forever endure in the hearts of many – it’s one of life’s anthems. And there will always be something special about the end of the school year.

“‘School’s Out’ was designed to be a hit. It was intended to be an anthem. It was designed to appeal to every single person in the world because everybody has sat through school in the last three minutes before school is out – for Summer. Forever.

If we can capture the joy of the kids screaming, knowing they have three months off of school, well, that will be a big hit.” – Alice Cooper

“School’s Out” is arguably one of the best Alice Cooper songs, maybe the best of all time, and combining it with “Another Brick In The Wall Pt. 2” is pure brilliance. These songs shaped so much of our childhood and helped us cope with our school days’ stress and hardships. However, today they mean something new.

As these tracks come alive today, most of us are no longer students – not in the traditional sense. However, we are still students in life. So what have we learned (or maybe still learning), and what are we teaching others? We must spend some time answering that question and maybe making some adjustments.

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

In the meantime, keep Walkin’ in Faith and Rockin’ with Alice!