NEAL SMITH INTERVIEW FOR ROCK N ROLL UNIVERSE

When it comes to rock drummers of the classic rock era, or any other era for that matter, Neal Smith is a true legend. His work on the first seven albums (eight if you count the 'Greatest Hits' album) released by the original Alice Cooper Group, which besides Smith was comprised of Alice Cooper on vocals, Michael Bruce and the late Glen Buxton on guitars and Dennis Dunaway on bass, ranks up there with the finest rock drumming ever recorded. Combining fabled theatrics with timeless songwriting and musicianship, the original Cooper band put out a string of incredible albums that have rarely been equaled before or since in the entire history of rock. It was Smith's exemplary playing on the classic songs that helped propel the band to international stardom back in the early 70's. Tracks such as "Halo Of Flies," "Killer," "Billion Dollar Babies," "School's Out," "I'm Eighteen," and "No More Mr. Nice Guy," to name just several, solidify his reputation as one of the top musicians ever behind the kit.

Thirty years after the breakup of the original band, Smith is still going strong, recording three albums with ex Cooper bassist Dennis Dunaway and former B.O.C. bassist Joe Bouchard on guitar and vocals as Bouchard, Dunaway and Smith, (BDS) a power trio that retains the feel of classic heavy rock while moving boldly into the new millennium, the Cinematik project with bassist Peter Catucci, and solo efforts as well. To set the mood for this, put on 'Love It To Death,' 'Killer,' 'Billion Dollar Babies,' 'School's Out' or any of the other classic albums from the original band (Go ahead, we'll wait for you, honest) and join us as we take a trip through the history of Alice Cooper and beyond with drummer extraordinaire Neal Smith....

Special thanks to Billy James at Glass Onyon PR for coordinating, and a BILLION thanks to Neal Smith for doing this interview for
Rock N Roll Universe!