| Dennis Dunaway | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 9, 1946 Cottage Grove, Oregon |
| Genres | Rock, hard rock, psychedelic rock, heavy metal |
| Occupations | Musician, songwriter |
| Associated acts | Alice Cooper |
Dennis Dunaway (born December 9, 1946 in Cottage Grove, Oregon) was the bass guitarist for The Spiders (Pre-Alice Cooper), The Earwigs (Pre-Alice Cooper), Alice Cooper group from 1969–1974.[1] He co-wrote such hits as "I'm Eighteen" and "School's Out".
Dunaway's bass playing displayed varying influences including Latin ("Below Your Means"), Indian Raga ("Gutter Cat") and Jazzy Blues ("Crazy Little Child", "Blue Turk") along with many other genres. He incorporated all of these musical styles to help create a sound that could support the theatrical performance of the "on-stage" Alice Cooper persona. He had a Gibson EB-0 short scale bass, modified with a Fender Precision Bass split pickup in the treble position, that he spray painted green and called "the frog". He can be seen with it on the back cover of the Love it to Death album. He used this bass exclusively in the making of the original Alice Cooper group's first three albums. It currently is on loan to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Dennis would in time switch to a Fender Jazz bass. He had three.
'Billion Dollar Babies' was the name of the band founded by Michael Bruce, Mike Marconi, Dennis Dunaway, Bob Dolin, and Neal Smith after they split from Alice Cooper in 1974.[2] This band was embroiled in a legal suit over the usage of the name. They only released one album, 1977's Battleaxe, before disbanding.
Dennis is married to Cindy Dunaway, Alice Cooper's original costume designer who helped create the Shock Rock fashion style. Cindy is the sister of original Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith. Their oldest daughter, Renée Dunaway, is also a musician and fronts the band Jetsetter.
Dennis performs on Alice Cooper's Welcome 2 My Nightmare. On July 1, 2010 when talking about the newly retitled album, Welcome 2 My Nightmare, Alice said in a Radio Metal interview: "We’ll put some of the original people on it and add some new people, I’m very happy with working with Bob (Ezrin) again.” Other names mentioned were: Slash, Neal Smith, Dennis Dunaway, Steven Hunter and Dick Wagner. Dunaway and Smith wrote two songs and perform, along with Michael Bruce, on three tracks on the album, released in September, 2011.
Dennis currently plays live with his bands, Blue Coup and 5th Avenue Vampires. Dennis Dunaway and Blue Coupe's new single "You (Like Vampires)", written by John Elwood Cook, is nominated for the Best Rock Song Grammy. The song can be heard on ITunes or Pledgemusic.
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In April 2010, 5th Avenue Vampires released their debut album, Drawing Blood
In September 2006, The Dennis Dunaway Project released their debut album Bones from the Yard.[3] It is available on iTunes, their website and at shows.