COOPER, ALICE love it to death P-8094W

Shock Rock Genesis: Alice Cooper’s ‘Love It To Death’ (P-8094W)

Today’s entry examines a holy grail for Alice Cooper collectors and fans of Japanese vinyl. We are looking at the 1971 Japanese first pressing of Love It To Death, released as part of the prestigious Rock Age series on Warner Bros. Records with the catalog number P-8094W.

The Birth of the Villain

Released in 1971, this album marked the pivotal moment when the Alice Cooper band met producer Bob Ezrin. Ezrin helped streamline their chaotic psychedelic sound into the tight, hard-rocking theatrical style that would conquer the world. This record introduced the definitive Alice Cooper character—the makeup, the straitjackets, and the horror.

The Music

The album is anchored by the rebellious teenage anthem I’m Eighteen, the song that finally broke the band into the mainstream. It also features the haunting, theatrical masterpiece Ballad Of Dwight Fry, which became a centerpiece of their live shows, and the hypnotic nine-minute epic Black Juju. The album closes with a cover of Rolf Harris’s Sun Arise, showcasing the band’s unique eclectic tastes.

Collector’s Details

This Japanese pressing is highly sought after for several specific reasons regarding its censorship and manufacturing.

The “Thumb” Cover:
This first pressing features the original, uncensored cover photograph. It depicts Alice holding his thumb extended outside of his cape near his crotch. This suggestive detail was deemed too controversial and was airbrushed out or covered with tape on many subsequent pressings worldwide. Finding a copy with the “thumb” intact is a priority for serious collectors.

First Pressing Identifiers:
The vinyl labels are the classic Warner Bros. Green Label. Crucially, the perimeter text on the label reads “Made By Warner Bros.-Pioneer Corporation…”. Later second pressings changed this text to simply “Warner-Pioneer Corporation,” making this specific text the key to identifying a genuine 1971 original.

Series:
This album was released as part of the Rock Age series, a campaign by Warner-Pioneer in Japan known for its high-quality pressings and distinct obi strips (often featuring the “Rock Age” flower logo), which are extremely rare today.