Evolution of Shock Rock: From Screamin' Jay to Alice Cooper and beyond

The quirky title of "Godfather of Shock Rock" is often attributed to Alice Cooper, but the origins of shock rock can be traced to earlier performers, including Screamin' Jay Hawkins. Though Alice Cooper seems like a fair enough choice, it pays to explain why he's widely recognized as the "Shock Rock" king, while also examining other contenders (as well as "shock rock queens").

Alice Cooper took the concept of shock rock to mainstream success in the 1970s, being one of the leading figures to add a horror edge to commercially viable rock. His theatrical stage shows, featuring guillotines, electric chairs, fake blood, and a macabre sense of humor, set the standard for the genre. Alice Cooper's blend of hard rock (and occasional ballads) with horror-inspired theatrics influenced countless artists and solidified his legacy in shock rock.

Still, other chickens are in that coop, like the aforementioned Screamin’ Jay Hawkins. Before Alice Cooper, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins was pushing boundaries with his 1956 hit "I Put a Spell on You," and other, often wackier songs. Known for his wild stage presence, Hawkins would emerge from a coffin on stage, wearing capes and carrying skulls, introducing elements of horror and theatrics to his performances.

While he may not have had the widespread impact that Alice Cooper did, Hawkins' influence on the genre is undeniable, and many have covered "I Put a Spell on You," which is a solid song. Apparently, though, Hawkins had mixed feelings (at best) about his act, once saying: "If it were up to me, I wouldn’t be Screamin’ Jay Hawkins...James Brown did an awful lot of screamin’, but never got called Screamin’ James Brown...Why can’t people take me as a regular singer without making a bogeyman out of me?"

In addition to being a sad fact, it also (kind of) makes it impossible for him to be crowned "Godfather of Shock Rock," as someone deserving of that title wouldn't really be ashamed of those spooky elements. Right? Of course, anyone is free to disagree and perhaps make their case for why Screamin' Jay (or some other artist) might blow Alice Cooper out of the water.

Other influential shock rock figures

There's another fellow named Arthur Brown. Known for his 1968 hit "Fire," Arthur Brown was another early shock rock pioneer. His theatrical performances, which included wearing a flaming helmet, were influential in the development of shock rock.

Frank Zappa: Though not strictly a shock rocker, Frank Zappa's avant-garde performances and satirical, often offensive or just strange lyrics influenced the boundary-pushing nature of the genre. It's also fair to say that "Zappa" is one of the most original and wide-ranging "shock rockers," as he genuinely incorporated all of these genre styles into his musical output: Rock, progressive rock, blues, jazz fusion, classical, pop, avant-garde, doo-wop, comedy, and musique concrète, and more.

Here is one of Frank's early bleak songs about disillusionment:

Later on, Marilyn Manson, heavily influenced by Alice Cooper and Trent Reznor/Nine Inch Nails, would take shock rock to new mainstreamed extremes in the 1990s, blending music with controversial and disturbing imagery. Yes, he has been accused of some terrible things, and yes, he has hung around with Hitler-praising Kanye West, but he was a somewhat more respected shock rocker in the 1990s. More recently, a previously anonymous accuser has revealed her identity.

Final thoughts

While Alice Cooper is most often credited as the "Godfather of Shock Rock," performers like Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and Arthur Brown laid the groundwork for what would become a defining genre in rock music.

Others who might be considered shock rockers (or influential to the genre) might be Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne, Kiss, The Doors, Iggy & the Stooges, GG Allin (vile, but nonetheless a shock rocker), The Cramps, Dead Kennedys (sort of underrated as shock rockers), Sex Pistols, Gwar, Mentors (as gross and immoral as GG Allin, but at least funnier), Nine Inch Nails, Ozzy Osbourne, Wendy O. Williams and the Plasmatics, Screaming Lord Sutch, Rob Zombie/White Zombie, and so on.