Alice Cooper and Judas Priest at Star Lake; Carnegie of Homestead Hosts Toad the Wet Sprocket (Wed., 10/1/25)

1) Alice Cooper rose to fame in the early 1970s with the hits “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” “School’s Out,” and “I’m Eighteen.” When Cooper first appeared on the rock radar, he shocked not only with horror imagery, but also with how hard and well he rocked, setting the stage for many rock/metal groups to follow. He blended horrific makeup and onstage props like guillotines, electric chairs, fake blood, baby dolls, snakes, and dueling swords with high-quality rock and metal music. Rolling Stone called Cooper the world’s “most beloved heavy metal entertainer.” His dad was a preacher for The Church of Jesus Christ (the Bickertonites) which was headquartered in Monongahela, PA, and now in Greensburg. Cooper was raised in Detroit and then Arizona. He is a very accomplished amateur golfer. In 2018, Cooper performed as King Herod in NBC’s live performance of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Jesus Christ Superstar. His concert is sure to be a music and theatrical event. Cooper’s most recent album is 2023’s Road. It was recorded live with his band and features the tracks “I’m Alice,” and “White Line Frankenstein.” The latter featured guitarist Tom Morello, as a guest artist. Judas Priest is also on the bill. The group is best known for hits like: “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming” and “Living After Midnight.” The English rock group’s most recent album is last year’s, Invincible Shield. Corrosion of Conformity opens. The Pavilion at Star Lake. 6:45 p.m. 665 Rt. 18, Burgettstown. (R.H.)

Alice Cooper and his band in concert during Halloween Night of Horror at Wembley Arena, London, England, 2012. (Photo: Kreepin Deth)

2) California alt rockers Toad the Wet Sprocket took their name from a Monty Python sketch in which Eric Idle, playing a rock journalist, announced that “Rex Stardust, lead electric triangle with Toad the Wet Sprocket, has had to have an elbow removed …” The band members formed as teenagers in Santa Barbara in 1986. Then they embarked on a winding-road career that included chart-busting hits like “Fall Down,” a sort-of breakup, and a reformation—not to be confused with the Protestant Reformation, although their music since then has featured calls to renew our spirits during troubled times. Toad’s 2021 album, Starting Now, has songs such as “Truth,” which includes excerpts from Frederick Douglass’ oration after the death of Lincoln. Does your spirit need a lift? Catch Toad the Wet Sprocket on their Good Intentions Tour, at Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall. Guest artists are Vertical Horizon. 8 p.m. 520 E. 10th Ave., Munhall. (M.V.)

Share on Social Media