Alice Cooper, the legendary shock rocker, has always been synonymous with electrifying guitar work, a cornerstone of his theatrical and hard-hitting performances. In a recent interview, Cooper shed light on his philosophy regarding the guitarists who share his stage, emphasizing a supportive and dynamic environment where talent is nurtured and celebrated. This perspective offers a fascinating glimpse into the ever-evolving world of Alice Cooper’s band and the crucial role of his guitar players.
Cooper addressed the temporary departure of Nita Strauss, who left to tour with Demi Lovato, and her subsequent return. Far from expressing any negativity, Cooper revealed his open-door policy: “I have a revolving-door kind of policy at the Alice Cooper show. 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 generous approach highlights Cooper’s understanding and respect for his musicians’ careers and aspirations. He even encouraged Strauss, saying, “I told her, ‘You should do this!’ 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.”
In Strauss’s absence, Cooper welcomed back Kane Roberts, a guitarist who played a significant 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. Cooper explained the natural fit: “The very first person everybody thought of was Kane. 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.” Roberts’ return injected a different energy into the band’s sound. “It was a little more masculine, definitely a little more macho,” Cooper noted, describing the impact of Roberts’ presence during the fall 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.”
Cooper thoughtfully contrasted the styles of his guitarists: “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 nuanced understanding of each guitarist’s individual contribution demonstrates Cooper’s keen ear and his ability to shape his band’s sonic landscape by strategically utilizing diverse guitar talents. He further elaborated, “But with my stuff you can go either way with it. It’s not gonna change the song; it’s just gonna change the attitude of the song.”
Alice Cooper’s history is rich with collaborations with exceptional guitarists. Since the original Alice Cooper band disbanded in 1974, Cooper has consistently surrounded himself with top-tier talent. He reminisced about the early days with Dick Wagner and Steve Hunter, a formidable duo, and continued to list a remarkable roster including Elton John’s Davey Johnstone, Al Pitrelli, Reb Beach, Damon Johnson, and Orianthi, who preceded Strauss in 2014. This impressive lineage underscores Cooper’s commitment to showcasing exceptional guitarists throughout his career.
Currently, Ryan Roxie and Tommy Henriksen hold the guitar positions, having been integral members since 1996 and 2011, respectively. Henriksen also plays in Hollywood Vampires, Cooper’s supergroup with Johnny Depp and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, further highlighting the caliber of musicians Cooper attracts and collaborates with.
In conclusion, Alice Cooper’s reflections reveal a deep appreciation for guitar players and their pivotal role in rock music. “I love guitar players, and I’ve been lucky enough to work with so many great ones,” he affirmed. “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?” For Alice Cooper, the guitar is not just an instrument; it’s the very essence of rock and roll, and his bands have consistently featured some of the finest players in the genre, creating a legacy of rock excellence.
