Living and Touring with Alice Cooper and Other Stories

I've started writing a book on my adventures as first a music fan, then a musician (not a very good one) followed by a roadie, and finally (and thankfully) a professional touring stage lighting designer. I worked with many national and international acts for 33 years until my retirement in 2014. I too have many stories about all I've seen and heard in my many years on the road and elsewhere. But I've got nothing on Mike! He had a good 5-6 years on me, and had more serious incidents than I ever did. He's also a much better story teller than myself. On top of all his stories, he's got a very good sense of humor! My stories are sometimes pretty funny, but I've got nothing on Michael in the amusing story area.If you're looking for an amusing ride that includes early Alice Cooper stories, then buy this book. I've paid 4 times the price for rock bios that have nothing on this book. As I was about to finish the book, I said to my wife "I'm actually a little depressed its coming to an end!" I've never felt that way before when reading any story, be it fiction or nonfiction.Excellent book. I'd love to meet the author and trade stories.In closing, I grew up in Detroit, practically lived at the Grande Ballroom, and saw almost every act the band toured with. I even worked for The Amboy Dukes, as well as Ted Nugent after he went solo, and until 2003.I should also mention that there wasn't any obscenities in the entire book! I talk like a drunken sailor, but it was refreshing that the author not only doesn't swear in real life, but never has. Refreshing to say the least. Onward Michael, say hello to the Mrs for me...

This is a must read for any rock fan. Michael (Amp Boy) Allen weaves a story of love, perseverence, endurance and faith in this tell all tome that will have you laughing, crying and wishing for more. School's Out!

I was disappointed to learn that this story ends before the band became famous. It does say “The Early Years” but I thought that meant maybe to 1974 while the original band was still together. Author/roadie Michael Allen bails for personal reasons before the band meets Bob Ezrin and records Love It to Death. I thought there would be stories about working during the massive Billion Dollar Babies tour, the Hollywood Bowl show in 1972 or maybe something about the infamous ABC In Concert TV performance. He was not there. It's about when the band lived-in run-down motels and had little food.The book is not about the band: Alice, Mike, Neal, Dennis or Glen. It’s about Michael Allen. The band is a backdrop for his story. Copies of personal letters to a girl back home. One of the band members may say something to him; one sentence, and then it will be what he did in response for the next few pages.So, it’s not about our heroes in the band. It’s about the unsung heroes/hero behind the scenes. He includes Charlie Carnal the lighting guy in a number of stories. That being said, it was an enjoyable enough read, some funny stories. He was there during the toughest years while the band was trying to figure out how to make it. He was very instrumental in keeping the show going, often single handedly, when they had few resources. He helped them get to the point where they could fly. Well done Michael Allen.

Anyone who ever read Dennis Dunaway's autobiography "Snakes! Guillotines! Electric Chairs!" (and if you haven't, why the hell not??) and wanted to hear more about the early days of Alice Cooper (the band) this is the book for you.Mike "Amp Boy" Allen happened to meet Glen Buxton in college, a lead guitarist for a band called the Spiders and learning that Mike had a car offered him a job hauling the band & their equipment to gigs. Passing the audition with Dennis (the bassist), John (the drummer) & Vince (the lead singer) Mike started out on a journey that would take him from Phoenix to LA and eventually the world as the band changed their name from the Spiders to the Nazz and eventually Alice Cooper.Mike writes in a very comfortable style that makes you feel like he's sitting in front of you telling you the "Mysterious Tales from the Early Years" with a good dose of humor. He relays many of the stories behind the legends and the many friends involved before they recorded "Love It to Death" that changed their lives forever. He was there for all the early events, including the infamous Toronto Rock'n'Roll Revival where he had to get Glen's amp back from John Lennon. You also learn the story of how he met his love Ellen and read the many letters he sent her from the road.Filled with almost 100 photos - many never before published - from friends who were there as well, this book is for anyone who enjoys reading about a band's earliest days from someone who was there and survived to write the tales.It's available for Kindle and as a beautiful hardback copy which shows the amazing photos in the best way.

Killer stories on the early days of the future Hall of Famer's from Phoenix. Very entertaining read, following the groups path from high school talent show to World Wide Superstars

This book is so well written. It literally walks you through the evolution of the band that would become a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee. Michael Allen was there at the beginning as the original Roadie and stayed with the group for 5 years. Get this book!

Any Alice Cooper BAND fan will love this book. I do not want to give anything away. But it is a quick easyread. Great stories. Well worth the money

Author Mike Allen was the first roadie of the band prior to being Alice Cooper and up to they became Alice Cooper in the early 70's. Traveling in station wagons, vans, rentals etc... Mike tells behind the scene stories but some you may have read earlier in other books but with his version. His life on the road being in fights, harassed by the police for the length of his hair and dealing with setting up and tearing down equipment in dive bars and sometimes getting out by the skin of their teeth.