Alice Cooper recently announced that Australian guitar whiz Orianthi would be temporarily rejoining his touring band in place of Nita Strauss for the first leg of his 2025 Too Close for Comfort Tour. Now comes word that “due to unforeseen circumstances,” Orianthi won’t be able to tour with Cooper at the previously announced series of shows, which kicks off on January 31 in Augusta, Georgia.
Videos by American Songwriter
Instead, ex-Guns N’ Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke will fill in for Strauss. Clarke will join the shock rocker’s band for eight concerts in the Southeastern U.S., through a February 11 performance in St. Augustine, Florida. Gilby also will take part in the 2025 Rock Legends Cruise as part of Alice’s group. The seagoing festival sets sail from Miami on February 13 and visits Coco Cay in the Bahamas before returning to port on February 17.
[Buy Alice Cooper Concert Tickets]
Cooper’s current backing band also features guitarists Ryan Roxie and Tommy Henriksen, bassist Chuck Garric, and drummer Glen Sobel.
Strauss joined Cooper’s group in 2014, replacing Orianthi, who began playing with Alice in 2011. Nita will be busy in February and March of 2025 with some headlining shows, as well as a stint opening for Apocalyptica. She’s expected to rejoin Cooper and company later this year, beginning with a previously announced May 9 performance at the Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival in Columbus, Ohio.
Cooper’s Other 2025 Confirmed Performances
Cooper also has performances lined up on May 18 at the Boardwalk Rock Festival in Ocean City, Maryland, and on August 15 with My Chemical Romance in Philadelphia.
Additional tour dates are expected to be announced soon.
[RELATED: Alice Cooper Teams Up with His Daughter and Slash for New Animated Video “Freewheelin’”]
Cooper’s concerts are available now via various outlets, including StubHub.
More About Gilby Clarke
Clarke joined Guns N’ Roses in 1991, replacing founding guitarist Izzy Stradlin. He played with the band until 1994.
Gilby has worked with a variety of musicians since then, and also fronts his own solo band.
Clarke’s solo group, which also features bassist Sean McNabb and drummer Jason Suter, has two club shows lined up after his stint with Cooper. They’re scheduled for February 20 at the Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood, California, and February 21 at Count’s Vamp’d in Las Vegas.
Alice Cooper Tour Dates (with Gilby Clarke):
1/31 – Augusta, GA @ Bell Auditorium
2/1 – Cherokee, NC @ Harrah’s Casino Resort Event Center
2/2 – Greensboro, NC @ Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts
2/4 – Mobile, AL @ Saenger Theatre
2/6 – Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock
2/7 – Ft Myers, FL @ Barbara Mann Performing Arts Hall
2/8 – Clearwater, FL @ Coachmen Park
2/11 – St. Augustine, FL @ Amphitheatre
2/13-2/17 – Miami, FL @ Rock Legends Cruise
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.