Concert Reports

Legendary rocker Alice Cooper brought his macabre and theatrical brand of rock to Vina Robles Amphitheatre in Paso Robles on Saturday, April 23, 2022. Special guest Ace Frehley took the stage with the Godfather of Shock Rock in Paso’s acclaimed Venue

All Photos: Ray Soto / Central Coast Rocks

AliceCooper.com

AceFrehley.com


VinaRoblesAmphitheatre.com

Cooper, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, usually spends up to six months a year on the road, bringing his iconic brand of rock psycho-drama to fans both old and new, enjoying it as much as the audience does. Known as the architect of shock rock, Cooper (in both the original Alice Cooper band and as a solo artist) has rattled the cages and undermined the authority of generations of guardians of the status quo, continuing to surprise fans and exude danger at every turn, like a great horror movie. Alice Cooper concerts remain a “not-to-be-missed” attraction!

Alice and his band hit the Vina Robles stage with “Feed My Frankenstein,” quickly followed by “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” Alice’s classic from 1973’s Billion Dollar Babies, which reached No. 1 in both the UK and the US. “Under My Wheels,” “I’m Eighteen,” and other Cooper classics were showcased with a fresh sound all the while paying tribute to the original recordings by Alice’s current band which consists of Chuck Garric ( Bass ), Ryan Roxie ( Guitar ), & “Hurricane” Nita Strauss ( Guitar ).

Theatrics were in full force as Cooper pulled out all the stops with Monsters, Blood and Beheadings that whipped the Sold Out crowd into a frenzy, bringing Halloween mixed a great Rock n Roll Party to the warm spring night in Paso. “Teenage Frankenstein,” and a rousing rendition of “Schools Out” closed out the night.

Alice’s universally acclaimed 2021 album Detroit Stories is available via earMUSIC. The record is a celebration of the sound and spirit of the Golden Era of Detroit rock, and debuted on the Billboard Album sales chart at #1 upon release in February.

The Associated Press called Detroit Stories “a masterpiece of classic rock, soul and R&B in homage to the city that produced him,” while Entertainment Weekly proclaimed the release “a love letter from Cooper to his city, and one that encourages a deep dive into his own back catalog and that of his peers.” Variety deemed the album “a delicious tip of the hat to ’70s classics such as ‘Killer’ and ‘School’s Out’ without sounding like a throwback.” Rolling Stone enthused, “That spirit of rock & roll abandon still exists in Cooper’s music half a century later, and his inherent showmanship is why people still fill theaters to see his guillotine act. It’s also why his records are still fun to listen to: You never know where he’s headed.” Get it here.

Ace Frehley

“We’ve always had fun touring together and it should be a heavy rock show with Ace and a great way to get everyone back to live concerts again,” says Cooper. “It should be a great night of virtuoso guitars!”

Ace Frehley, KISS co-founder and 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, continues his reflections on a lifetime in music with Origins, Vol. 2. No stranger to cover versions throughout his musical history — having recorded, rebranded and repossessed such notable nuggets as “New York Groove,” “Do Ya” and “I Wanna Go Back” over the course of his eight previous studio efforts — this newest collection presents a thoughtful and exciting selection of songs that inspired and helped shape the legendary guitarist. Foremost of importance to the original Spaceman is delivering an album his fans will enjoy, but one where every song also has a place in his life’s jukebox.

Frehley’s Origins, Vol. 1 ( Released in 2016 ) featured a cover of Free’s Fire & Water, with Paul Stanley on vocals

Ace Frehley and his band started the night off with the KISS classic “Rocket Ride,” which Frehley penned for the group’s massive 1977 live album KISS Alive 2. Mixing his set up with his former band’s classics and his own solo material The Spaceman delivered his unique stage presence and guitar playing that influenced generations of young players. No stranger to theatrics himself, Frehley’s lighted guitar was showcased on “New York Groove,” Ace’s hit from his solo album from 1978. “Shock Me” treated the audience to Frehley’s trademark Smoking Les Paul which no guitarist has come close to topping since. The KISS Classics “Cold Gin,” and “Deuce” closed out Frehley’s opening set.

“I’ve known Alice for over 30 years,” says Frehley. “We’re good friends, and we’ve toured together numerous times and always had a blast. Our musical roots are very similar, and the combination of our two bands make for a great event that nobody is gonna want to miss. Being off the road for more than a year because of the pandemic has been tough on everyone in the music industry, and I’m really looking forward to seeing all of the fans happy, healthy, and ready to rock.”

About Vina Robles Amphitheatre

Welcome to the Vina Robles Amphitheatre, where European Inspiration meets California Character and the stars always shine. Here, two of California's great compositions meet, as exceptional wine and intimate live music are paired to create an unforgettable wine country experience.

The 3,300 seat boutique amphitheatre is nestled on a picturesque, oak-dotted hillside in Paso Robles on California's Central Coast. With its opening in the summer of 2013, the Vina Robles Amphitheatre became one of the largest outdoor venues for arts and entertainment in San Luis Obispo County. Featuring a style reminiscent of the California missions, guests are able to immerse themselves in a unique and intimate concert adventure as they enjoy modern amenities and first class hospitality. The concert season runs from May through November and features top tier acts from around the world in all genres. Various seating options all within 150 feet from the stage, including regular, VIP and general admission lawn seating, make events accessible to anyone in the community. We look forward to sharing our love of wine and the arts with you soon. For more information about the Vina Robles Winery, Click Here

www.VinaRoblesAmphitheatre.com
 

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