Alice Cooper has introduced British guitarist Anna Cara in place of his longtime guitarist Nita Strauss, who announced earlier this year that she was taking a break to welcome her first child this summer.
22-year-old Anna, from Newcastle, England, has previously worked with Marc Storace (from the Swiss band Krokus) and Tommy Henriksen (guitarist with both Alice and the Hollywood Vampires). She has built anInstagram following with her videos.
Anna will make her debut April 2nd-4th with Cooper at his special Welcome To Our Nightmare shows in Las Vegas. These unique shows are a collaboration with illusionist Criss Angel and take place in his theatre at Planet Hollywood.
Alice has his U.S. Alice’s Attic tour April 14th through May 9th, and then returns to Las Vegas May 22nd-24th for three more Welcome To Our Nightmare shows with Criss Angel.
Keeping his usual busy schedule, Cooper then has a European Alice’s Attic tour June 13th-July 12th, and promises more shows in the fall.
Said Cooper, “Nita found a brilliant British female guitarist to fill in for her while she is on maternity leave. Anna Cara is a beautiful dynamic shredder in the vein of Nita but with a style of her own. She will fit in with our gang perfectly while Nita is away and we can’t wait for the sick things to meet her. Welcome to the show, Anna.”
Cara, for her part, said, “This is like a dream come true, to join Alice and his great band. Back when I started playing guitar at 14, I was watching Alice Cooper live shows on YouTube dreaming of joining one day. Nita Strauss is a tough act to follow, and she’s been so encouraging to me this past month, so I am looking forward to showing everyone who I am and what I can do.”
Strauss said, “When I was asked in an interview who I thought was the best up-and-coming guitarist, I had no hesitation in answering ‘Anna Cara.’ Anna‘s precision and soulful, emotional playing will make her an amazing asset to the Cooper tour.
Working with Alice for 12 years has been the experience of a lifetime and I look forward to seeing you all back on the road (with a +1 along for the ride!) Until that time comes, I know that the show is in good hands and the fans are in for a treat.”
Strauss has been playing with Cooper since 2014 when she replaced Australian musician and former Michael Jackson player Orianthi. She joined Alice in time for a mammoth Motley Crue tour. She was recommended to Cooper by the legendary rocker’s former bass player and Winger frontman Kip Winger.
4 Responses
He certainly has a type, they have all been in the Orianthi mold (blonde female shredders).
Actually, I am surprised he did not use Sophie Lloyd. She too, is blonde, beautiful, British and also a YouTube sensation. She previously toured with Machine Gun Kelly.
Mr. Cooper has excellent taste! I don’t know if this would qualify as some kind of question of the week as I’m not sure how to word it, but the men in rock n roll have a reputation for hooking up with “groupies” especially back in the day. But what about the women rockers? I’ve heard stories about Janice Joplin and Grace Slick. But what about the Joan Jett’s, the Vixen ladies, the female keyboard player from GNR? Did they or any other female musicians have roadies pick out men (or women) in the crowd to be brought back stage for a hook-up? I believe there used to be a website where female groupies would talk about the rockers they hooked up with and how it was, etc. But never anything about the women musicians. Just wondering.
It is an interesting question, but not sure how much milage it would get.
I know the Go-Gos have said, in their documentary, etc. that they had TONS of male groupies. I believe, Belinda Carlisle and Jane Wiedlin (The OG Winona Ryder, in my humble opinion) said they all partook in shenanigans with them.
Also, I read Lita Ford‘s book, Living Like A Runway, and she also said, The Runaways, had male groupies, I cannot recall if she stated they ever hooked up with them, as a few band members were under the radar lesbians.
Nita Strauss is a super guitarist! Seen her last summer with AC and was totally blown away!! I’m sure her temp is good, but I doubt she’s anywhere as good as Nita!