Alice Cooper | Golf | Sean McCormick | Errol Flynn | Head

Rock's most enduring villain is far from ready to hang up his straitjacket - or his putter. . Photographs by Sean McCormick.

ALICE COOPER snickers while telling the story of his onstage midair skewering of a doll thrown from the audience, done with a sword formerly owned by Errol Flynn. Moments later, I'm standing just a few feet away from the original shock rocker as he raises another potential instrument of death and prepares to whack away at a small object. But instead of aiming for my head, Cooper sends a dimpled golf ball sailing out over a grassy expanse, courtesy of a highly polished titanium driver and a powerful but elegant swing.

It's my first lesson in a good golf swing. To be honest, it's my first golf lesson of any kind - and from Alice Cooper, no less.

My 1970s and '80s childhood was laced with Cooper. Actually, every rock fan born within the past 30 or 40 years has grown up with Cooper - even if heavy metal isn't his or her music of choice. His face, eyes wedged inside thickly smudged black eyeliner, is one of the most enduring images of rock's devilish side. His song "School's Out" is the anthem of generations of high school graduates. Really, who doesn't know Cooper?

I don't, it turns out.