Nordoff Robbins Scotland presented rock-god Alice Cooper with ‘Best International Artist’ Award sponsored by Chisholm Hunter last night (11th Nov) in Glasgow. The SSE Scottish Music Award was delivered to the icon ahead of the coveted-gig at The SSE Hydro 45 years since Alice Cooper first played in Scotland on 10th November 1972.
The Glasgow gig in 1972 was iconic and the only UK date during that tour and remains firmly in the hearts of fans. Incredible stories circulated of 300 fans at the airport who broke through police barriers and attempted to turn over the bands limos as well as fans wrecking rows of seats in sheer excitement at the show. 2017 also marks 45 years of Alice Cooper’s huge hit, ‘School’s Out’.
Shep Gordon of the Alice Cooper band reported that fans arrived at the Glasgow show at the Green’s Playhouse (later The Glasgow Apollo) with a hydraulic drill to break through the roof to see the sold-out show.
Speaking about the 1972 performance in Glasgow, Alice Cooper said: “The venue had the highest stage I ever played on – 25ft up from the floor. It was a long way down. We were from Detroit so we related to Glasgow. It was nothing to us to see two or three fights break out in the audience or see fans drinking heavily. We felt more at home in Glasgow than any other place. The look, the feel, everything about it we liked.“
During the acceptance speech last night, Alice Cooper spoke of his gratitude for the accolade proclaiming: “Thank you, this is great! Well, you have to survive this rock ‘n’ roll business long enough, the business isn’t the easiest thing. We’ve been doing it 50 years! Keeping the quality of the show up and keeping the quality of the music up is really the whole trick to doing it.”
The SSE Scottish Music Awards will celebrate the incredible stars and legends of the Scottish music industry on 2nd December in the Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow. With nominees and performances including Lewis Capaldi, The Temperance Movement, Nina Nesbitt, Tom Walker already announced, Nordoff Robbins Scotland have many exciting announcements still to come in the next few weeks.