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2014 Alice Cooper's Christmas Pudding
Comerica Theatre
Phoenix, AZ
December 13, 2014

Alice Cooper

Jonny Lang

Alice Cooper

Story and photos by Mary Andrews

Alice Cooper's Christmas Pudding is a well-kept secret outside of Arizona and it is a good as any festival produced in the country. AND Alice Cooper is still the quintessential king of "shock rock!"

The event is one of two fundraisers done each year that Mr. Cooper and his volunteer corps provide for his "Solid Rock Foundation." The second fundraiser is the annual golf tournament in Phoenix in the spring. All of the proceeds go into the Solid Rock Foundation teen center. Solid Rock strives to get teenagers off the streets and out of trouble by channeling their energy into creative directions. (See the interview with Alice Cooper from December 12th).

The show this year was definitely a family affair. It started with the traditional prayer this time with the whole family on stage including Alice Cooper's twin grand babies. Andrew Johns, keyboardist, started the music rolling by doing musical comedy. The Solid Rock Dancers under the direction of Hodgie Jo followed Andrew. Next, there were performances from the winners of this year's Proof is in the Pudding contest (Laura Walsh and UFN). Christmas Pudding regular, Rock Demarco, did an onstage painting of Alice Cooper. The Bucket Brigade, a percussion ensemble made up of Teen Center kids played metal drums. Dash Cooper's band, CO-OP, added two teens from the Rock Solid teen center. Comedian, Gary Mule Deer, was hilarious! Nils Lofgren gave a one-song acoustic performance.

From, there a big-ticket live auction lead by Letitia Frye ensued. Items included were two paintings of Alice Cooper by Rock Demarco and a guitar autographed by Motley Crue obtained during the Crue's final tour this summer. That garnered a hefty $12,000.

After the break, the six-hour show took on a life it its own. First, Christian hard-rockers Thousand Foot Krutch, who ended their three-song set with their recent single "Born This Way" and P.O.D., whose three-song set included their huge alternative-radio hits "Alive" and "Youth of the Nation."

Next, the super group with no name, but lots of star power took over the venue and the energy. The group consisted of Nils Lofgren, Jonny Lang, Jack Blades, Joe Lynn Turner, Glen Sobel, and Andrew Johns. Jonny Lang tore it up with "When Love Comes To Town." There was lots of guitar dueling between Lang and Lofgren. Joe Lynn Turner (lead singer for Rainbow and Deep Purple) joined in the set singing "Stone Cold' and "Smoke on The Water." Little wonder that there was a standing ovation for this.

Night Ranger followed in fine suit keeping the energy level at 11. They did a hit-filled set with "When You Close Your Eyes," "Don't Tell Me You Love Me," "Sister Christian" and "You Can Still Rock in America." Drummer Kelly Keagy handed off the sticks so he could come out front and sing and lead the audience on "Sister Christian." Guitarist, Brad Gillis was enough entertainment for the whole band.

The 'crme de la crme' for the night was Alice Cooper, his snake, guillotine, and his blood spewing head. These were the perfect ingredients for a Christmas pudding, indeed. He is the entertainer that all of the other entertainers have emulated. The set was a hit-filled visual extravaganza. He tossed costume jewelry to the crowd before leaving the stage so the band could solo while he prepared for a second big entrance. The band is killer. The newest member is Nita Strauss who shredded the guitar like she had been in the band forever.

There were many costume changes and he reentered the stage wearing his signature boa constrictor around his neck. "Welcome To My Nightmare" sang Cooper. There bloody lab coats, straight jackets, and his traditional striped suit. He has brilliantly paired "School's Out" with Pink Floyd's "Another Brick In the Wall." The finale started when it started to snow as the other artists on the bill returned to crowd the stage for a cover of the Beatles' "Revolution" with Jack Blades of Night Ranger joining Cooper on lead vocals on the second verse. It was a lot of fun. As one patron stated as we were walking out of the venue, "That didn't suck at all!" Alice is one of the few legendary greats who has not lost his touch over the years.