Dennis Dunaway (born December 9, 1946 in Cottage Grove, Oregon) was the bassist for the Alice Cooper group from 1964-1974. He co-wrote such hits as "Eighteen" and "School's Out".
Dunaway's bass playing displayed varying influences including Latin ("Below Your Means") and Jazzy Blues ("Crazy Little Child", "Blue Turk") along with many other genres. He incorporated all of these musical styles to help create a sound that could support the theatrical performance of the "on-stage" Alice Cooper persona. He had a Gibson EBO short scale bass,modified with a Fender Precision Bass split pickup in the treble position, that he spray painted green and called "the frog". He can be seen with it on the back cover of the "Love it to Death" album. He used this bass exclusively in the making of ACG's first three albums. It currently is on loan to the Rock and Roll Hall of fame. Dennis would in time switch to a Fender Jazz bass. He had three.
Dennis is married to ACG drummer Neal Smith's sister Cindy and they have two daughters. Cindy was the band seamstress and designed and made the band's stage clothes. Their oldest daughter, Renée Ciarra, is also a musician and fronts the band Jetsetter. Jetsetter released their first album, VasoVerga, in March, 2007.
