Alice Cooper, the master of shock rock, has always been known for his theatrical stage shows and hard-hitting music. Central to his sound is, of course, the guitar, and Cooper has consistently surrounded himself with exceptional guitar talent. Recently, he openly discussed his “revolving door” policy regarding his band members, particularly highlighting the temporary departure and welcomed return of Nita Strauss, alongside the comeback of Kane Roberts, a significant guitarist from his past.
Cooper explained that there was no drama when Nita Strauss decided to tour with Demi Lovato. He maintains a supportive attitude towards his musicians pursuing other opportunities. “I have a revolving-door kind of policy at the Alice Cooper show,” Cooper stated. “When a musician has an opportunity to do something, I say, ‘See ya! Come back any time you can.’ If they see an opportunity or something that they really want to do, go for it. I look at it as a leave of absence. There’s never any bad blood about stuff like that.” This philosophy underscores Cooper’s understanding and respect for his band members’ careers and aspirations beyond his own project.
Regarding Strauss’s departure, Cooper was fully supportive. “I told her, ‘You should do this!’” he recounted. “I said, ‘The Alice Cooper show is gonna go on and on and on, God willing, but you’re always welcome back.’ And now she is.” This open and encouraging approach fostered a positive environment, making Strauss’s return seamless and welcomed. Her shredding style and energetic stage presence are undoubtedly valuable assets to the Alice Cooper band.
In Strauss’s absence, Cooper didn’t miss a beat, bringing back Kane Roberts, a guitarist who played a crucial role in Cooper’s late 80s resurgence. Roberts was not just a guitarist but also a primary co-writer during the Constrictor and Raise Your Fist era. “The very first person everybody thought of was Kane,” Cooper said, highlighting the immediate and obvious choice Roberts was. “That was the obvious choice for all of us. I called him up and he said, ‘Yeah, sure. What do I have to do?’ I said, ‘Just be Kane,’ and it worked out great.”
Cooper described Roberts’s impact on the band’s sound. “It was a little more masculine, definitely a little more macho,” he noted about Roberts’ return for the 2022 tour. “Kane brings this, y’know, ‘The beast is back’ kind of thing. We already have a pretty powerful sound, but when he gets into it, all of a sudden you have this other sound of a guitar.” He contrasted Roberts’s style with that of other guitarists in his band: “Ryan [Roxie]’s guitar has a certain sound, and Nita has a certain style of playing, more of a shredding kind of style, and so does Tommy [Henriksen]. But Kane is kind of a brutal guitar player; he adds a certain toughness to it that wasn’t there before.” This demonstrates Cooper’s keen ear for different guitar styles and how he strategically utilizes each guitarist’s unique strengths to enhance his music.
Throughout his extensive career, Alice Cooper has collaborated with a remarkable roster of guitarists. From the original Alice Cooper band featuring Michael Bruce and Glenn Buxton, to later collaborations with legends and rising stars, Cooper’s guitar lineups have been consistently impressive. He mentioned iconic pairings like Dick Wagner and Steve Hunter, and also highlighted Davey Johnstone (Elton John’s guitarist), Al Pitrelli, Reb Beach, Damon Johnson, and Orianthi, who preceded Strauss in the band. Current guitarists Ryan Roxie (since 1996) and Tommy Henriksen (since 2011) represent the long-standing talent within Cooper’s ensemble. Henriksen also contributes to Hollywood Vampires, Cooper’s supergroup with Johnny Depp and Joe Perry, further showcasing the interconnectedness of Cooper’s musical world.
“I love guitar players, and I’ve been lucky enough to work with so many great ones,” Cooper concluded. “To me, rock and roll is guitar music. That’s the crux of everything. Chuck Berry, Clapton, Jeff Beck, Keith… and on and on. That’s what makes it rock, you know?” This statement encapsulates Alice Cooper’s fundamental appreciation for the guitar and the guitarists who have been integral to his legendary career, solidifying his status as a true champion of rock and roll guitar music.
