For those of you reading this as you know, the stadium tour is now nothing but a memory. However, I was able to catch two of the last shows at the end of August. My understanding is that Def Leppard as well as Mötley Crüe are done for the year. But Alice Cooper is now on tour with Rob Zombie.
I’ve been seeing Alice Cooper live since I was in junior high school back in the 1970s. Except for a few times in the mid-80s, I have always enjoyed his shows. I would argue that this band is the best band he’s ever had. They always bring it and give it their all. These two shows were no exception. I saw the stadium tour last year with Joan Jett and Poison. Both were fantastic yet Alice Cooper seemed just like the perfect fit. Maybe it’s because I have such an affinity for him and his music.
The set was shorter because they were the opening act, and he played for a little over an hour, but he did all the songs you would expect him to play. It’s essentially a greatest hits package in a situation like this. Whereas when you see him as a headliner, he’s playing a considerably longer set and doing some of the deeper cuts like Lost in America.
One of the many things I love about Alice Cooper is he continues to tour. But equally important, continues to release new music. He has a brand-new studio album out now titled Road. It finds him in a very familiar place again with Bob ezrin as the producer. Bob is a legendary producer that in my opinion made some of the greatest rock albums in the 70s. These include Kiss Destroyer, Pink Floyd the Wall, and Alice Cooper Goes to Hell. I highly recommend it if you’re looking for some new music to check it out. And get out and see Alice Cooper play live on the new tour with Rob Zombie, freaks on parade.
It would be horrible of me not to mention that a big reason why he is so good is he always gets the best musicians to play with him. The current lineup, which has been intact for quite some time is in my opinion amazing. The band includes Glenn Sobel on drums, Tommy Hendrickson on guitar, Ryan Roxy on guitar, Chuck Garrick on bass, and Nita Strauss on guitar. These accomplished musicians treat the songs with the utmost respect. They play them as they were written, which I can’t always say about every band. GO SEE THEM!!!!
