The curtains fell and he waltzed onto the stage, cane in hand. The crowd was wild and they were hungry. Saint Louis was instantly transported back into the 70s as Alice Cooper claimed the staged. He invited his people into his Nightmare Castle by beginning the set with the classic Feed My Frankenstein.
The stage had become something entirely different. The makings of a Gothic cathedral adorned the staged. Smoke and skulls where everywhere. A steering wheel from a pirate ship sat on the second story of the set. At 71-years-young Cooper still does more than just sing; he puts on a show of incredible theatrics. He brought out all sorts of props ranging from swords to dolls. The most dramatic skit was when he sang Steven. He began the song in a strait jacket. After breaking free, his wife, Sherly Cooper, entered the stage dressed as a nurse with a black baby carriage. Cooper grabbed the baby doll, singing to it while the nurse acted out in terror. He set the doll on the ground and pulled out a prop meat cleaver and threatened to chop the baby in half. The band played on as Cooper was dragged to a guillotine. The crowd went absolutely insane as the blade fell and his head was apparently chopped off and paraded around. He reclaimed the staged by bursting through a coffin.
Cooper wasn’t the only star of the show, however. Many had their eyes on the beautiful 32-year-old Nita Strauss, lead guitarist, and known for her work in the all-female Iron Maiden tribute band The Iron Maidens. She brought incredible energy to the stage with long-winded solos so fast and complicated you could barely see her fingers move.
The night was swarming with unimaginable talent. Not only did Strauss wow the crowd with her riffs, but Lzzy Hale of Halestorm kicked off the night with a voice that mimicked the rock n’ roll queens of the 70s and 80s. She had a voice like gravel coated in caramel. Her raspy vocals were even more amazing in person than recorded on CD. She held notes for what seemed like minutes and took everyone’s breath away.
Hale introduced her little brother, Arejay Hale, who pulled out two Cooper Canes for his drum solo. Between Lzzy Hale’s guitar and vocals and her brother’s Cooper Canes, the band gave off an 80s rock vibe that prepared the crowd for Alice Cooper’s Nightmare Castle.
The night ended by Lzzy Hale entering the stage once more to play the last song alongside Alice Cooper. He sang the always popular School’s Out with a rendition of Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 2. The crowd sang along at the top of their lungs.
Saint Louis stepped into Hollywood Casino Ampitheater not knowing they were entering a time machine. No one puts on a show like Alice Cooper. Even at his age, he’s still got it. It’s hard to recover from a night of such inconceivable talent. As for the King of Nightmares, we are not worthy!
Photo Albums: Alice Cooper – Halestorm
