Alice Cooper

Despite his faux-goth theatrics, Alice Cooper has always been a rocker. Sure, the Detroit native's image is a little tarted-up — what with his costumes, guyliner and a sexy serpent — but the music is straight up rock & roll; even his most popular tunes ("Poison," "School's Out") maintain an element of subversive, slithering nastiness. Listening to his other classic hits with fresh ears reveals new dimensions, though: "Welcome to My Nightmare" sounds remarkably like the Doors and the lyrics in "I'm Eighteen" are still angsty and uneasily spot-on. Today Cooper is known as a cultural icon and commercial figure, having starred in advertising spots for everything from Bridgestone tires to Marriott Hotels. Shockingly, his image hasn't been compromised in concert, and the 60-year-old still conjures up a dramatic, powerful performance.