By Chaz Dykes of Chaz D Photography
[ Event: Alice Cooper (“Alice’s Attic Tour”) Venue: Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, FL Date: October 27, 2026 ]
It is a rare phenomenon when an artist over fifty years into their career performs with the hunger, precision, and relentless energy of a newcomer. Long before theatrical heavy metal and dark alternative subcultures filled arenas, the Godfather of Shock Rock engineered a blueprint that forever altered the DNA of live performance. By fusing grand guignol horror, cinematic staging, and hard rock hookmanship, Alice Cooper pioneered a visual vocabulary that would go on to inspire generations of diverse acts spanning heavy metal, glam, industrial, and the theatrical gloom of the goth movement. On a packed Tuesday night in Clearwater, the legendary icon proved once again that age is entirely meaningless when you own the stage, delivering a magnificent masterclass that left fans buzzing. Anticipation filled the air long before the lights went down. Legions of fans packed the venue early, creating an electric buzz appropriate for an icon only a few months shy of his 79th birthday. Looking razor-sharp and moving with tireless vitality, Cooper commanded the room from the moment he stepped into the spotlight.
“Who Do You Think We Are” from his 1981 album Special Forces served as a clever curveball opening. Cooper has humorously noted that era falls into a blur of substance struggles he barely remembers, but live on stage, the track acted as a gritty, driving opener that instantly woke up the house.
Cooper’s powerhouse backing ensemble anchored the entire night. The performance boasted a fierce triple-guitar attack featuring veteran axe men Ryan Roxie and Tommy Henricksen (his cohort from the Hollywood Vampires), alongside 22-year-old newcomer Anna Cara. Stepping into the massive shoes typically worn by guitar great Nita Strauss, Cara held her own brilliantly, melting faces with technical precision and youthful swagger alongside the seasoned pros.
Glen Sobel on drums and Chuck Garric on bass drove the rhythm section, executing a multi-decade catalog with pristine tightness. As the 90-minute set barreled forward, the crowd was treated to a blistering sequence bridging decade of rock history. “Billion Dollar Babies” (complete with signature stage flair) and”I’m Eighteen” anchored the foundational classics, while”House of Fire,””Hey Stoopid,” and the soaring 1989 anthem”Poison” filled out the later radio smashes. Cooper’s ability to weave theater, hard rock, and sheer audience engagement remains unmatched. He didn’t just sing songs; he inhabited them, treating the theater to the grand Guignol theatrics, crisp musicianship, and timeless showmanship that define his legacy.
For those lucky enough to score a ticket to this sold-out Florida stop, the October 27th concert was nothing short of triumphant. Alice Cooper isn’t just coasting on legacy—he is actively out-rocking artists half his age. If the”Attic” tour rolls anywhere near your town,
missing it is simply not an option.
For more about Alice Cooper and the current tour visit his official website, www.alicecooper.com.Now Go Out and See Some Live Music
