Billion Dollar Babies - Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper’s “Billion Dollar Babies” is a hard-hitting rock classic that captures the raw energy and theatrical brilliance of the band’s early years. This song features a combination of powerful rhythm guitar work, intricate lead lines, and signature rock techniques that make it a perfect learning experience for guitarists of all levels. At LickLibrary, we break down the song note-for-note, helping you master the nuances of each riff, lick, and solo section with a focus on technique, phrasing, and feel. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Guitarists Behind "Billion Dollar Babies"

The guitar work on "Billion Dollar Babies" was handled by Glen Buxton and Michael Bruce, two key figures in Alice Cooper’s early sound. Buxton, known for his raw and aggressive playing style, brought an unmistakable edge to the band's music, while Bruce’s rhythm guitar skills provided the foundation for their heavy rock sound. The duo’s interplay in "Billion Dollar Babies" showcases tight synchronisation, creative riffing, and melodic sensibilities that influenced generations of rock guitarists. Their style, which blends bluesy rock phrasing with a theatrical edge, set the stage for later rock and metal players.

Techniques Covered in This Lesson

Power Chords

Power chords are a staple of rock guitar playing, and "Billion Dollar Babies" features driving power chord progressions that give the song its punchy feel. Learning power chords is essential for building strong rhythm playing and is fundamental in rock and metal styles.

Palm Muting

Palm muting adds rhythmic clarity and dynamic variation to riffs. In this song, palm-muted sections enhance the groove and energy of the track. Mastering palm muting will help you develop better control over articulation and attack in your rhythm playing.

Alternate Picking

Many of the fast-picked lines in "Billion Dollar Babies" require precise alternate picking. This technique improves speed, accuracy, and endurance, making it a crucial skill for playing intricate rock and metal guitar parts.

String Bending

Expressive string bends bring a vocal-like quality to lead guitar lines. In "Billion Dollar Babies," bends are used to add intensity and sustain, making solos more emotive. Practicing this technique will enhance your lead guitar phrasing and articulation.

Double Stops

The song features double-stop licks that add a fuller, harmonised sound to the leads. This technique is key to achieving a bluesy, aggressive tone, and is widely used by rock guitarists for soloing and embellishments.

Slides

Slides between notes and chords create smooth transitions and dynamic phrasing in both rhythm and lead parts. Mastering slides will help your playing sound more fluid and connected, especially when moving between positions on the fretboard.

Hammer-Ons & Pull-Offs

Legato techniques like hammer-ons and pull-offs appear in fast lead passages, reducing the need for constant picking and increasing speed. These techniques improve finger strength and allow for smoother, more natural phrasing in solos.

Rakes

Adding rakes before hitting notes in lead sections creates a percussive, aggressive attack. This technique adds style and attitude to your playing, making solos sound more expressive and powerful.

Technique List with Internal Links

Below is a list of key guitar techniques used in "Billion Dollar Babies," with links to in-depth explanations:

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Alternate Picking
• String Bending
• Double Stops
• Slides
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Rakes

By mastering these techniques, you’ll be able to capture the essence of "Billion Dollar Babies" and improve your overall rock guitar skills. Dive into our lesson to break down each part, and take your playing to the next level!