Schools Out, Alice Cooper

Please note - No Panties

Side 1 - Very Good Only 

Side 2 - Very Good Plus

rtist: Alice Cooper Title: School’s Out Album Type: Fifth Studio Album (Original Vinyl Release) Original Release Date: June 13, 1972 Label: Warner Bros. Records (Catalog: BS 2623) Genre: Hard Rock / Shock Rock

Background & Production School’s Out is the definitive "coming of age" rock record that transformed the Alice Cooper Group from underground curiosities into global icons. Produced by Bob Ezrin, the album moved away from the raw garage sound of Killer toward a more cinematic, theatrical production. The title track became an eternal anthem for the end of the school year, famously peaking at #1 in the UK and #7 in the US. The recording sessions involved high-concept arrangements, including a children’s choir and orchestral flourishes that hinted at the band's burgeoning "Shock Rock" spectacle.

Musical Composition & Style The album is a conceptual masterpiece themed around the rebellious energy and nostalgia of school life.

• Major Hits: Includes the legendary title track "School's Out" and the West Side Story-influenced "Gutter Cat vs. The Jets."

• Genre-Bending: Features the jazz-inflected "Blue Turk" and the cinematic instrumental closer "Grande Finale."

• Thematic Depth: Tracks like "Alma Mater" offer a surprisingly somber, sentimental look at leaving the past behind, contrasting the aggression of "Public Animal #9."

Original Pressing & Collector Notes The original 1972 pressing is one of the most famous examples of gimmick packaging in music history.

• The Desk Sleeve: The original cover was die-cut to fold out into a 3D school desk, complete with wooden legs that could be unfolded to make the record "stand up."

• The Panties: Initial copies (approx. first 250,000) featured the vinyl wrapped in a pair of disposable paper panties (available in white, pink, yellow, or blue) instead of a standard paper sleeve. These were famously recalled by the FTC after being deemed a fire hazard, making copies with original panties highly valuable.

• Identification: Look for the green Warner Bros. label. Early pressings often omit the tracklist on the back cover (as it was "hidden" inside the desk).

• Recent Reissues: In 2023, Rhino released a 50th Anniversary 3LP Deluxe Edition which recreates the desk sleeve and includes "non-flammable" replica panties along with a live 1972 Miami concert.

• • Keywords: Alice Cooper, School's Out, Original Pressing, 1972 Vinyl, Desk Cover, Panties Sleeve, Hard Rock, Shock Rock, Warner Bros BS 2623, Bob Ezrin.

  • Collection Ideas: Classic Rock Grails, Gimmick Packaging, 70s Hard Rock, Banned & Recalled Covers.

  • Related Artists: Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, T. Rex, David Bowie, Kiss, New York Dolls.

   

MINT - sealed

NM - likely never played - almost perfect

VG+ - light scuffs, light scratches wont effect play

VG -  signs of wear, light scratches you can feel

GOOD -  surface noise, visible groove wear

POOR / FAIR- some damage, causing issues like skipping & distorted audio

OIS - original inner sleeve