A wildly 'metalicious' evening

Review and photos by Frances Sealy

Alice Cooper arrived in Phoenix from Europe just in time for his big annual variety show Alice Cooper's 16th Annual Christmas Pudding. He and his band had just completed a 105 date world tour. Nothing was going to stop him from joining Slash from Guns N' Roses, Rob Halford and Richie Faulkner from Judas Priest, Dave Ellefson from Megadeth, Filter and more from raising money for his Rock Solid Foundation. All of the entertainers donated their time and talent for this event and making it a wildly 'metalicious' evening.

The foundation sponsors a Phoenix teen center designed to get teens off the streets, away from drugs and other tempting bad influences. The teen center offers education in music, dance, and other arts to attract teens away from the streets. This year the foundation held a 'Proof Is In the Pudding' contest for bands to compete for the opening slot of the show.

An auction of rock memorbilia augmented the funds raised from ticket sales. The items included three original art pieces depicting some of the stars of the show. More than $100,000 was raised from the auction.

It was a family affair. Solid Rock provided the early acts of the night that included the Solid Rock Bucket Brigade performing "Joy to the World," The Solid Rock Dancers performed dances from to disco era to more modern times.. Then, Alice and Sheryl Cooper came out with their family and they learned that they were due to have another grandchild. There was a lot of cheering and joy during the moment.

The 'Proof Is In the Pudding' contest winners were the next performers. First the solo artist winner Amelia performed an acoustic version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Next, the band that won the talent contest, Mariachi Juvenil de mi Tierra, performed a medley of more seasonal favorites in a mariachi style.

The alt-metal band Filter started rocking the house with a short set that included their hit songs "Take a Picture" and "Hey Man Nice Shot."

Gary Mule Deer has become a 'Pudding' regular performer and he is always a refreshing element. He initially warmed up the crowd with some jokes. Later, he returned to sing a couple of Johnny Cash classics.

Ace Frehley took the stage with the house band, Sixwire. Frehley is one of the founding members of KISS. He gave his classic vocal and legendary guitar for another short set. His "Shock Me" was a highlight as he added a bit of "Day Tripper" and "Secret Agent Man" at the end. His guitar has never sounded better.

Edgar Winter killed it with his three-song set that ended with his classic, "Frankenstein." The multi-instrumentalist played sax, drums as well as his synthesizer. The crowd was crazed with energy.

The next act was the super band that included Judas Priest's vocalist Rob Halford and guitarist Richie Faulkner, Megadeth's bassist Dave Ellefson, Cooper's guitarist, Nita Strauss and drummer, Glen Sobel. Slash played guitar in the opening two songs of the set. Halford displayed his classic showman outfit with a black leather overcoat adorned with metal spikes and long fringes. The fans of the metal Gods of music in the crowd could not have been happier.

Cooper and his all-star band including Slash on guitar had the final set of the night. Songs performed included "Poison," "School's Out," and "I'm Eighteen." Cooper introduced the last song as a homage to the late Chuck Berry. Cooper proclaimed Berry as "one of the rock and roll greats and the best lyricist of all time." Everyone joined Cooper for "Run Rudolph Run." It was a fitting end to this very special holiday extravaganza.