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'''Glen Buxton''' ([[10 November]] [[1947]] – [[19 October]] [[1997]]) was a US musician, and [[guitarist]] for the original [[Alice Cooper]] group. He was born in [[Akron, Ohio|Akron]], [[Ohio]]. He was known throughout his career as the "Blonde Bomber".
Glen Buxton


He made his debut in a Cortez High School rock band called The Earwigs. They were very popular, and they changed their name to The Spiders. The band later changed their name to The Nazz. In order not to compete with another popular band of the same name, Buxton and his band mates changed their name for the last time to Alice Cooper.
Born: Nov. 10, 1947 in Akron, Summit County, Ohio, USA
Died: Oct. 19, 1997, Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, USA
Musician, Lead Guitarist, Song Writer. It was at Cortez High School in Arizona that Glen met the group of guys that would form his future career. With a love of track and the school newspaper "The Tipster" in common, Vincent Furnier, Dennis Dunaway, John Spear, Michael Bruce and Glen would make up lyrics to popular songs of the time. After participating in a talent show at school in which they billed themselves the Earwigs they went on to form The Spiders, The Nazz and finally Alice Cooper. John Spear was replaced by Neal Smith. Glen was actually the only member of the band who could read music, he had begun taking guitar lessons at the age of twelve. The other band members learned a lot about music from him. Glen came up with killer guitar riffs that heralded the arrival of the bands great anthems, "I'm Eighteen," "School's Out" and "Elected." In 1971 the band was signed by Warner Brothers Records and released "Love It To Death. Hit albums "Killer," "School's Out," "Billion Dollar Babies" and "Muscle Of Love" followed. The band became well known for their shocking stage show. The "Billion Dollar Babies" tour was a huge success and became the biggest rock production to that date. Bob Greene wrote a book, Billion Dollar Babies, about this tour. This continues to be almost the only inside documented account of the experiences Glen and the band had during this time in their career. In 1974, lead singer, Vincent Furnier, decided to leave the band and legally took the name Alice Cooper. The remaining bandmates, minus Glen, went on to release an album which they called themselves Billion Dollar Babies. The album failed to realize the success of the former group and no further albums were released. The next years were not always easy for Glen. He did have a drug and alcohol abuse problem that he was eventually able to overcome. His following bands Shrapnel and Virgin were not commercially successful although fans enjoyed seeing him on stage. After his bands broke up he was a factory worker and worked for Goodyear. In the last few months of his life he seemed headed for more musical success. After Michael Bruce released a book, "No More Mr. Nice Guy," in which Glen was portrayed in a negative light, Glen showed his forgiving nature by reuniting with his old band mates Michael Bruce and Neal Smith in Houston for an autograph show and a live performance. He attended a concert of his old friend Alice Cooper and they had a nice visit after not talking for many years. The fans certainly supported his efforts during the last few months of his life. He filmed an interview show called "Just Testing" that was due to be broadcast by PBS. He interviewed Steve Vai, “Weird Al” Yankovic and others. After his death a group of fans known as the "Sickthings" grouped together to give Glen a fitting memorial. Fan Paul Brenton formed the idea of the Glen Buxton Memorial Weekend. The first event was held in Clarion, Iowa, August 7-9, 1998 and Glen's monument, a gift from his fans, was unveiled on August 8, 1998. (bio by: Julie Karen Hancock (Cooper) Jackson)
Cause of death: Pneumonia


Buxton was the co-writer of such rock n' roll classics as "School's Out," "I'm Eighteen," and "Elected," and is credited as lead guitarist on seven albums by the Alice Cooper group including the chart-topping "Billion Dollar Babies."
Buried at: Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion, Wright County, Iowa, USA
Plot: Near the evergreen trees, past the caretaker's garage.


He lived for a time on a farm near [[Clarion, Iowa|Clarion]], [[Iowa]] performing with local artists.
By: A.J. Marik
Buxton died of complications from [[pneumonia]] on Sunday, [[October 19]], [[1997]] at a hospital in Mason City, Iowa. Before his death, the guitarist was able to spend time with his old band mates, consisting of [[Alice Cooper]], [[Dennis Dunaway]], [[Michael Owen Bruce|Michael Bruce]], and [[Neal Smith]]

In 2003, [[Rolling Stone (magazine)|Rolling Stone]] magazine named Buxton as one of the "100 greatest guitarists of all time". [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5937559/the_100_greatest_guitarists_of_all_time]
{{Guitarist-stub}}

[[Category:Guitarists|Buxton, Glen]]
[[Category:1947 births|Buxton, Glen]]
[[Category:1997 deaths|Buxton, Glen]]
[[Category:People from Akron, Ohio|Buxton, Glen]]
[[Category:Alice Cooper members|Buxton, Glen]]
[[no:Glen Buxton]]

Revision as of 23:38, 7 August 2006

Glen Buxton (10 November 194719 October 1997) was a US musician, and guitarist for the original Alice Cooper group. He was born in Akron, Ohio. He was known throughout his career as the "Blonde Bomber".

He made his debut in a Cortez High School rock band called The Earwigs. They were very popular, and they changed their name to The Spiders. The band later changed their name to The Nazz. In order not to compete with another popular band of the same name, Buxton and his band mates changed their name for the last time to Alice Cooper.

Buxton was the co-writer of such rock n' roll classics as "School's Out," "I'm Eighteen," and "Elected," and is credited as lead guitarist on seven albums by the Alice Cooper group including the chart-topping "Billion Dollar Babies."

He lived for a time on a farm near Clarion, Iowa performing with local artists. Buxton died of complications from pneumonia on Sunday, October 19, 1997 at a hospital in Mason City, Iowa. Before his death, the guitarist was able to spend time with his old band mates, consisting of Alice Cooper, Dennis Dunaway, Michael Bruce, and Neal Smith

In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine named Buxton as one of the "100 greatest guitarists of all time". [1]