Alice Cooper has some of the greatest stories to tell from 50-plus years in rock ‘n’ roll. There’s the time he auditioned for a spot on Straight Records at Frank Zappa’s log cabin at 7 in the morning. Or the time Cooper held a loaded gun at Elvis Presley while in a Vegas hotel suite with the singer and Liza Minnelli. Or the time he did a movie with Hollywood legend Mae West, after being introduced by Groucho Marx.

But on his latest 28th studio album, Cooper is revisiting Detroit, where the groundbreaking rocker was born in 1948 and later returned in the early ’70s as he got the Alice Cooper band off the ground. The troupe relocated to Michigan from L.A. after over-the-top shock tactics (like the infamous chicken incident and later the guillotine) failed to launch on a West Coast still mired in the Laurel Canyon scene.

“The great thing about those days was we realized we didn’t fit in anywhere except Detroit. Because once we got there, we met Iggy and the Stooges and the MC5 and Suzi Quatro and Ted Nugent. We were all young bands that were just starting out, but we had one thing in common: We were Detroit bands and we were all hard rock. When we got there, those bands listened to us and said, ‘Oh, you’re one of us,’ ” Cooper shared in an interview ahead of a show on his Detroit Muscle Tour arriving Thursday at The Venue at Horseshoe Casino. .

Cooper’s newest record, 2021’s “Detroit Stories,” is described as “a celebration of the sound and spirit of the Golden Era of Detroit rock,” and to make it, he fully tapped into the raw power of that bygone time, including utilizing live cuts. Cooper nabbed MC5 great Wayne Kramer for a track, and also recruited an “all Detroit” band of session musicians such as Johnny “Bee” Badanjek (Billy Lee and the Rivieras/Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels) as well as former Alice Cooper band cohorts Michael Bruce, Dennis Dunaway and Neal Smith. Cooper reunited with the trio (less late guitarist Glen Buxton) again in 2015 for a surprise show at a super fan’s record store in Dallas; the live recording, called “Live From the Astroturf,” will be released Sept. 30.

Much like his popular syndicated rock show “Nights with Alice Cooper,” in which he spins his favorite tunes, answers fans’ questions and interviews contemporaries like Ozzy Osbourne and Meat Loaf, there’s a lot of nostalgic wanderlust to be found in Cooper’s lair. As he describes it, “Every album is sort of a little period of your life. I always think that when I listen to the Rolling Stones albums. I hope that a lot of people think the same way about my albums.”

On the new tour, many will be taken back to four decades ago, seeing guitarist Kane Roberts back with Cooper for the first time since 1988. Roberts returns in place of Nita Strauss, who recently made headlines when joining Demi Lovato’s band.

“I have a revolving-door policy. A lot of people come through the Alice Cooper show and go off on their own tours and do their albums, but they’re always invited back. In other words, they know that, once they’re family, they’re family,” Cooper explained. “Nita had a project she wanted to do. She can play with anybody. … She will definitely give [Demi] an edge, that’s for sure.”

Also on the tour is Cooper’s wife Sheryl, a dancer, who rejoined now that the couple’s kids, including Calico (frontwoman of Beasto Blanco), are all grown. The Coopers — who once lived in Lake Point Tower on Lake Shore Drive in the ’80s — also run the Solid Rock Teen Centers in Mesa and Phoenix, where they now live. The purpose: To give teens access to arts and vocational programs that lets them tap into their creativity and potential, like Cooper once did at his high school talent show.

“We want kids to find their talent. I believe everybody’s got talent, but some people may never get the chance to pick up a guitar or a bass or drums or try art or photography. We provide all that for free. Anyone is invited,” says Cooper. “And they find something that they can get their teeth into, something they never knew they could do. We watch actual lives change.”

It’s something that was on Cooper’s mind as he wrote the new album, pondering the alarming rate of suicide, in particular among teens, which inspired him to write the song “Hanging on by a Thread (Don’t Give Up).”

“There’s too many people that have no hope and I wrote that song for them. Especially teenagers who haven’t even really started life yet. So that song hopefully is encouragement,” says Cooper.

In addition to originals, the new album also features a series of covers that play to Cooper’s Detroit influences, like the MC5’s “Sister Anne,” Outrageous Cherry’s “Our Love Will Change the World” and “East Side Story” by Bob Seger.

“The Midwest is the real, true hard-rock audience,” says Cooper, recalling one of the greatest cameos in a film when he appeared in “Wayne’s World,” about the fictional Aurora cable access music nerds who venture to Milwaukee to see the “Welcome to My Nightmare” star.

The movie’s ubiquitous quip, “We’re not worthy” still follows Cooper wherever he goes.

“Especially at airports. I get it at least three or four times, and it’s always business guys that are together traveling and I’m trying to pretend, like you know, it’s the first time I’ve ever heard it. Though Mike Myers said he could have stuck me with something a lot worse than that,” the singer jokes.

Cooper has one more Midwest thought to share, albeit this time about sports.

“I hope that your Bears leave my Lions alone.”

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Bears must find the silver lining in last night’s loss against Green Bay

Sunday night’s loss wasn’t all bad Bears fans. I know we are all sick and tired of losing to the evil empire in Green Bay but thing’s are not as bad as they seem. There were actually a few bright spots in a rather bleak and dull performance put on by Chicago so don’t slam that panic button just yet.

Teven Jenkins looks like the real deal

After a strong week 1 performance, a game in which Jenkins posted an 81.7 offensive grade, Jenkins is proving he belongs at right guard. Last night Jenkins was matched up against a tough assignment in two time pro bowler Kenny Clark. Jenkins seemed to hold his own pretty well against Clark as some of the Bears biggest runs came through the right side of the offensive line. Jenkins has also yet to give up a sack in two weeks, hopefully Teven Jenkins gets more playing time and shows his solid showing through two weeks is no fluke.

 Bears head coach Matt Eberflus’s adjustments

Going into the second half of the Bears Packers game last night Chicago was down 24-7 and things were looking bleak and the Bears felt the game getting out of hand as they have so many times in the past against the Packers. Maybe in the past the Bears would have lost this game by 30+ points, but Chicago fans have to be pleased with how the team adjusted in the second half. The Bears allowed only three points in the second half and almost got back into the game if it wasn’t for Fields questionable goal line run. This just proves the Bears are in way better hands than years past.

Here’s what head coach Matt Eberflus had to say after last night’s loss.

Bears pass rush is solid

After losing Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks there were murmurs among the league that Chicago’s pass rush won’t be the same. Through two weeks Bears trio of Trevis Gipson, Dominique Robinson, and Robert Quinn have accumulated 4.5 sacks and many pressures. This is definitely an encouraging sign when you think about who they’ve been matched up against. In week one Chicago’s D-line was matched up against a solid O line for the 49ers and in week two a solid O line for Green Bay. Hopefully the D-line can trigger their inner monster of the Midway and continue to play well in upcoming weeks.

David Montgomery is a dog

Packers Head Coach said it himself

David Montgomery is a premier back in this league, His ability to break tackles and just how hard he runs, it’s pretty impressive to watch.

Though Chicago lost the running game (which was a key to victory against Green Bay) David Montgomery did his part by rushing for 122 yards on just 15 attempts. Montgomery averaged 8.1 yards per carry in last nights contest, he was on another level. Almost like he was determined to get a 1st down & more every single time he held the rock. As long as the O-line keeps opening holes for Montgomery down the line, Chicago will find themselves winning the running game more times than not.

Watch highlights from Montgomery’s 122 yard night here

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The high-profile shootout schedules are starting to be released, and over the years the annual When Sides Collide event event organized by the City/Suburban Hoops Report has been one of the marquee attractions on the high school basketball calendar.

A year ago the event shifted to Benet where, thanks to the 2021-22 phenomena known as Glenbard West basketball, there was an overflow crowd and raucous atmosphere. The Hilltoppers faced Young, which ended up being a preview of what would be the Class 4A state championship two months later.

This year the four-game event will once again attract many of the state’s top teams and best players. In the senior class alone the event will showcase seven of the top eight senior prospects in the state and 11 of the top 18.

Here is a quick rundown of the 2023 When Sides Collide, which will be Saturday, Jan. 21.

Brother Rice vs. Rolling Meadows

Minnesota recruit Cam Christie, one of the state’s top players, and a loaded Rolling Meadows team square off with Brother Rice. Coach Conte Stamas replaces Bobby Frasor and welcomes virtually everyone back from a 24-win team, including a catalyst at point guard in Niagara recruit Ahmad Henderson.

Young vs. Joliet West

Perennial power Young and upstart Joliet West collide in a matchup featuring two of the premier senior guards in the state: Jeremy Fears, Jr. and Dalen Davis. The starpower continues with a pair of promising young players in Joliet West’s Jeremiah Fears and Young’s Antonio Munoz, two of the top sophomores in Illinois.

Simeon vs. Moline

When the season tips off in November, don’t be surprised if Simeon and Moline are the preseason No. 1 teams in the state in Class 3A and 4A, respectively.

There is talent all over the floor, starting with the inside matchup featuring Iowa recruit Owen Freeman for Moline and the Rubin brothers — 6-9 Miles Rubin, who is committed to Loyola, and Wes Rubin, one of the top uncommitted seniors in the state.

Brock Harding is one of the state’s top point guards and is committed to Iowa, while Simeon transfer Sam Lewis is headed to Toledo.

Benet vs. Kenwood

Kenwood, expected to be a preseason top five team, boasts talent up and down the roster. Benet has experience and an emerging player in Niko Abusara.

If coach Mike Irvin’s team can survive this one, it will be a better team because of it. Senior guard Darrin Ames and a host of the state’s best junior prospects will have to take a punch in what will be a hostile environment.

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The 2022 regular season is just a few weeks away from being over for the Chicago Cubs. At the same time it is never too early to start thinking about future scenarios that could possibly happen around the north side of Chicago.

One big time free agent that could be on the move this upcoming offseason is outfielder Aaron Judge. It was made known throughout the last offseason prior to the 2022 season that Judge gave the New York Yankees a deadline of opening day to come to an agreement on an extension.

Opening day came around in early April with Judge and the Yankees not being able to come to an agreement on a long term extension. The talented outfielder in Judge made it clear from the start about the deadline meaning he will now be a free agent after the 2022 season. If Judge does return to the Yankees it will be for a lot more than what was offered back before the 2022 season began overall.

With Judge becoming a free agent at the end of the year does he make sense for the Cubs? Or better yet are the Cubs an appealing landing spot for Judge?

With the soon to be American League MVP for the 2022 season in Judge it is hard to see the Yankees just allowing him to watch their home grown star just leave and walk out the door to go play for another organization. Judge maybe does want to move on because he felt disrespected by the Yankees offers before the season and wants to start fresh somewhere else.

Cubs have plenty of money to persuade free agents like Judge

Right now, the Cubs payroll for the 2023 season is set at a base salary of 101.5 million dollars. The Cubs definitely have the money if they feel that Judge is the type of player they want to build around for the next decade or so on their end.

It was being reported by different media outlets that Judge turned down a seven year deal in the ballpark of around 213 million dollars. He would not come cheap, but it is also no secret that Tom Ricketts and the rest of the family do have the cash.

The Ricketts family made headlines when they made a strong effort to purchase the Premier League Chelsea FC before withdrawing late in the process a few months ago. A report came out earlier in the season that the value of the Cubs organization is at over 4 billion dollars. Yes, you read that correctly 4 billion dollars. The Cubs are only trailing the Yankees, Red Sox, and Dodgers in the MLB.

The Cubs currently have their big free agent acquisition from last offseason in Seiya Suzuki in right field for the foreseeable future, but could move him over to center field over time. This could open up right field for Judge.

Big time prospect Brennen Davis had an injury riddled 2022 season but has come back recently from back surgery and should be arriving at the Friendly Confines in the near future as well. That would mean one less spot for Judge to roam in the outfield at Wrigley Field.

In years past running out of outfield spots would have been a problem, but not in 2022. With the universal designated hitter being featured in the National League it allows teams like the Cubs to go after guys who do not have to play in the field every day and can still be in the lineup.

Maybe the Cubs can sell Judge on their plan about having him be their thunder in the middle of the lineup for the next ten years. Also, talk to him about some of their upcoming big time prospects who should be arriving at the major league level soon.

Wrigley Field may not be as hitter friendly as Yankee Stadium is to players these days but Judge would love hitting at Wrigley for a minimum of 81 games every year. Fans would be going home with a lot of souvenirs from him in the bleachers and on Waveland Avenue.

Judge is a superb talent and having a banner year in 2022. Nobody is going to question the talent from Judge who has had three All Star appearances so far in his young career. One thing that teams may question is his durability and staying on field. Judge has missed 156 games dating back to 2017 prior to the 2022 campaign. He can point to this 2022 season though when talking to teams to show he can maintain healthy and stay on the field.

Injuries sometimes are out of the players control and just bad luck at times. The current Yankee star is going to be paid regardless whether it be the Yankees, Cubs, or somebody else.

Can the Cubs front office recruit Judge to the north side?

Signing a player like Judge would prove to the Cubs loyal fan base that they seriously feel with him, the talented pieces that are coming up in the farm system, and some other free agent signings that they can compete now and for many more years to come moving forward. All the reports are saying lately that the Cubs are ready to spend. Let’s see if it is actually true or not.

Will the Cubs be in on Judge’s services this upcoming offseason? Or maybe will they go after an infielder like Xavier Bogaerts, or Trea Turner? Personally in my opinion, an infielder, or another starting pitcher would seem to make more sense for the Cubs right now but who knows what the front office is wanting to do.

Time will tell if the Cubs pursue Judge, or if he even wants to be a member of the Cubs organization.

Imagining Judge in a Cubs uniform hitting home runs onto Waveland Avenue, or maybe even reaching Glenallen Hill territory and reaching a rooftop is fun to dream about even if it never actually ends up happening. We will have to wait until the offseason to see if it is a reality or not.

Judge over the past weekend seemed to love hitting against the Milwaukee Brewers up at American Family Field.

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