My Secret Life: Alice Cooper, singer, 61

'I still love really crappy horror films. I watch two or three a day'

(Piggy D)

My parents were ... the best. They totally understood what I was doing with the whole Alice Cooper thing, even when I started at the age of 16. They understood my humour.

My family ... was really tight. We always did everything together – very much like my family now. We are not only close but more like the Addams family than the Osbournes.

When I was a child I wanted to be ... I always wanted to be an entertainer. I didn't know if that'd be doing impersonations or comedy but once I saw the Beatles and the Rolling Stones I knew I wanted to get up there and perform.

If I could change one thing about myself ... I would not be terrified of needles. It's the only phobia I have.

You wouldn't know it but I'm very good at ... running. As a kid I was a baseball player but I didn't make the team. I had a friend who was into endurance running. One day I went out with him on the track and discovered I was a great long-distance runner.

You may not know it but I'm no good at ... maths. If I had the patience I could logically find the answer, but I couldn't tell you why x equals d.

At night I dream of ... I dream like a film producer. My dreams have credits at the end: directed by, edited by, in association with. They're incredibly elaborate, and I star in most of them.

What I see when I look in the mirror ... I am actually very stress-free and happy with my lot, so I like what I see. I've eliminated a lot of demons from my life.

My favourite item of clothing ... is a black leather jacket. When I put it on, it becomes part of my skin. I put it on and go "Oh yeah!".

I wish I'd never worn ... There are pictures of me playing golf in bell-bottoms back in the Seventies. At the time it was OK but now it's really wrong.

I drive/ride ... an Astin Martin. It's the best car I've ever owned and I'm a car buff. It never breaks down, it looks great, and when you get in you're James Bond for a while.

My house is ... a big ranch in Scottsdale, Arizona, just off Camelback Mountain. It's the most comfortable place in the world.

Movie heaven ... I still love really crappy horror movies. I watch two or three a day. If someone says, "I just saw the most awful film", I'll go and say that was great! I really appreciate B and C movies.

The last album I bought ... was an old one: Laura Nyro's 'Eli and the 13th Confession'. It's haunting stuff.

My secret crush ... Ursula Andress in 1968. She was my high-school crush, and she's old enough now for my wife not to get mad.

My greatest regret ... I was an alcoholic for quite a long time, which should be my greatest regret, but I learnt so much from it. I've not had a drink in 28 years. My real regret would be not taking out shares in Starbucks when it first started.

The person who really makes me laugh ... John Cleese is one of those guys. I just look at him and start laughing. And Peter Sellers too.

The last time I cried ... I dropped something on my foot a few days ago and it brought tears to my eyes. But in terms of emotional crying, it was probably 20 years ago, when my dad died.

My five-year plan ... I'm 61 now and I think I'll probably be touring for the next five years. I'm in better shape now than I was at 30. I'm like Benjamin Button.

My life in six words ... Absolutely totally blessed; thank you all.

A life in brief

Born Vincent Damon Furnier in Detroit, Michigan, on 4 February 1948, Alice Cooper released the solo concept album Welcome To My Nightmare in 1975. Since then he's had a string of hits including Poison. He lives in Arizona with his wife and their three children. His single Keepin' Halloween Alive is available on iTunes, and his UK tour, Theatre of Death, starts next month. Visit livenation.co.uk for tickets