Alice Cooper’s Devil On My Shoulder Hits Number One on the Sunday Times Bestseller List

Alice Cooper’s memoir Devil On My Shoulder is officially the UK’s number one non-fiction book. The Godfather of Shock Rock’s autobiography has climbed to the top of the Sunday Times non-fiction bestseller list, just a week after entering at number seven. It is a bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic too, hitting number four on the New York Times non-fiction list.

• Book: Devil On My Shoulder by Alice Cooper
• UK chart: number one, Sunday Times non-fiction bestseller list
• US and Canada: number four New York Times, number three Publishers Weekly, number nine Toronto Globe & Mail
• Published: 8 October 2026 by Ebury Spotlight (UK) and Da Capo / Hachette (US and Canada)
• Formats: hardback (464 pages), ebook and audio

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How did Alice Cooper’s Devil On My Shoulder reach number one?

The book arrived on 8 October 2026 and went straight into the Sunday Times non-fiction chart at number seven. Alice spent the following fortnight in the UK on an eight-date Q&A book tour, and a week later the memoir had climbed all the way to the top. For a rock autobiography to knock everything else off the top of the UK’s most important book chart is a rare thing, and a sign of just how many people want to hear this story in his own words.

Across the Atlantic, where it is published by Da Capo, part of Grand Central and Hachette, the book entered the New York Times non-fiction bestseller list at number four, the Publishers Weekly non-fiction list at number three and the Toronto Globe & Mail non-fiction list at number nine.

What is Devil On My Shoulder about?

This is the definitive Alice Cooper autobiography, covering more than six decades in rock. It tells the story of two characters sharing one body: Vince Furnier, the regular guy from Phoenix who loved comic books, horror films, baseball, the Beatles and Chuck Berry, and Alice, the monster he created. Alice himself interrupts throughout in a different font, adding sarcastic asides and arguing with his creator.

The book goes deep on the early days, when Vince and his school friends learned their instruments and the band that started life as the Earwigs became Alice Cooper. It covers the classic albums and tours, the guillotines, snakes and stage shows, the addictions and blackout years, the slide back down, and how he finally tamed the character who almost took over his life. He also talks openly about his faith and his long marriage to Sheryl.

Did Alice Cooper really bite the head off a chicken?

No, and Devil On My Shoulder settles it once and for all. The infamous “chicken incident” has followed Alice around for decades, and he uses the book to sort the myths from the truth, including the bans, the record burnings and the stories that grew with every retelling.

What are critics saying about Devil On My Shoulder?

The reviews have been strong. Kirkus Reviews called him “the godfather of shock rock” giving “readers a look behind the black curtain”, and said: “It’s the clash between the two characters – self-aware, regular-guy Vince and his sinister, egotistical alter ego, Alice, who chimes in now and then in a different font – that gives this memoir its tension, as well as its juice.” It added that Cooper “opts for a careful consideration of his lyrics and stagecraft rather than the traditional celebrity memoir’s score settling. Mr. Nice Guy takes a hard-earned victory lap in this well-told tale.”

Publishers Weekly described it as “an extraordinarily detailed account of his six-decade career”, noting that “at age 78, Cooper sets the record as straight as he can remember”. It said he “comes across as surprisingly humble, funny, and personable”.

Famous friends have lined up to praise it too, with Elton John lyricist Bernie Taupin calling it “rich dessert” and writer Mitch Albom calling it “revealing, honest, fascinating and sometimes raw”.

Where did Alice Cooper go on his UK book tour?

To launch the book, Alice played eight UK theatre dates in October 2026, each one an evening in conversation with a guest host followed by an audience Q&A, with a copy of the book included in every ticket.

• Sun 11 October – Cardiff, New Theatre (host Claire Sturgess)
• Mon 12 October – Cambridge, Corn Exchange (host Claire Sturgess)
• Tue 13 October – London, The Palladium (host Arthur Brown)
• Wed 14 October – Brighton, Dome (host Arthur Brown)
• Fri 16 October – Manchester, Opera House (host Claire Sturgess)
• Sat 17 October – Stockton-on-Tees, Globe (host Arthur Brown)
• Mon 19 October – Glasgow, Pavilion Theatre (host Billy Sloan)
• Tue 20 October – Wolverhampton, Civic at The Halls (host Arthur Brown)

Fans who caught his in-conversation evening at London’s Union Chapel in 2025 will know how good a storyteller he is on stage, and the book has the same warmth and humour.

Who is Alice Cooper?

Alice Cooper has cast a long shadow over rock for more than 60 years. He has sold over fifty million records worldwide, with anthems such as School’s Out, I’m Eighteen, No More Mr. Nice Guy, Elected and Poison. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011, and he has never stopped making records or touring.

He is also a member of the Hollywood Vampires with Johnny Depp and Joe Perry; you can read about their 2026 UK and Europe tour here. And if you want more of Alice’s wit, he features in our round-up of funny rock star quotes.

Alice Cooper Devil On My Shoulder FAQ

Is Alice Cooper’s Devil On My Shoulder a number one bestseller?

Yes. Devil On My Shoulder went to number one on the UK Sunday Times non-fiction bestseller list in its second week, after entering at number seven.

When was Devil On My Shoulder released?

It was published in the UK by Ebury Spotlight on 8 October 2026 in hardback, ebook and audio.

How many pages is Alice Cooper’s autobiography?

The UK hardback runs to 464 pages.

Did Alice Cooper bite the head off a chicken?

No. In Devil On My Shoulder he finally puts the infamous chicken incident to rest and confirms he never bit the head off a chicken.

Where can I buy Alice Cooper’s Devil On My Shoulder?

It is available from bookshops and online retailers, including Amazon UK, in hardback, ebook and audiobook.

Rock News final word

Sixty years after the Earwigs, Alice Cooper is still finding new ways to shock people, and this time it is the book world. Devil On My Shoulder going to number one on the Sunday Times list is a fitting reward for a memoir that is funny, honest and full of the stories fans have wanted straight from the man himself. If it is not on your shelf yet, it should be.