Alice Cooper recently commented on the dedication of veteran rock musicians to touring. He addressed the topic in a statement shared on Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk.
Cooper highlighted a group of legendary performers who continue to tour not out of financial necessity, but because performing is simply what they do. He referenced several iconic artists who exemplify this commitment to their craft.
“Retirement’s not even in my vocabulary. There’s a group of guys out there that I call lifers, and that’s Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr and Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood, and Rod Stewart, people that are doing it — not because they need to pay the bills,” Cooper said. “We could have retired 30 years ago, financially. It’s the fact that that’s what we do.”
Cooper drew a parallel to Bob Dylan’s approach to performing. He emphasized that for these artists, touring is simply part of their identity.
“I read an article about Bob Dylan who does 200 shows a year, and they said, ‘Well, why are you doing it?’ And he goes, ‘That’s what I do. I write songs and I sing ’em in front of an audience.’ And I went, ‘It’s that simple.’ That’s what I really enjoy doing,” he explained.
Cooper also reflected on how the COVID-19 pandemic affected touring musicians. He described the impact of being unable to perform for an extended period.
“In fact, when COVID was going on, we were just getting antsy as could be, ’cause we’re used to touring at least 150 shows a year. And when all of a sudden that rug is pulled out from under you and you’re going, ‘Wait a minute. It’s been 18 months now.’ It was a shock to the system,” Cooper said.
When touring resumed, the excitement to return to the stage was immediate and universal among his band members.
“When I finally told the band that, ‘Okay, it’s a go, and we’re gonna start rehearsing,’ it was like saying, ‘We’re going to Disneyland.’ It was, like, ‘Yeah, yeah. We could do it.’ Everybody couldn’t wait to get back on stage. And if it’s in you, if it’s part of you, that’s what you have to do. And to me, that’s what I do. That’s what I’ll do till I can’t do it anymore,” Cooper concluded.
Cooper’s philosophy about the necessity of performing is clearly reflected in his active touring schedule. The legendary rocker is demonstrating that his words are backed by action, with an extensive calendar of performances planned throughout the year.
Ultimate Classic Rock reported that Alice Cooper’s 2025 tour includes a spring and summer leg known as the “Too Close for Comfort Tour.” The tour begins May 2 in Huntsville, AL, with multiple stops across North America including North Charleston, SC, Saginaw, MI, Milwaukee, WI, Erie, PA, and Wilkes-Barre, PA. Summer shows conclude in Memphis, TN by August 30. This extensive tour demonstrates Cooper’s unwavering dedication to bringing his music to audiences across the continent.
In addition to his solo performances, AXS reported that Cooper will embark on a fall 2025 co-headlining tour with Judas Priest. The tour kicks off September 16 in Biloxi, MS and spans 22 cities including Toronto, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Houston. It concludes October 26 at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands, TX. This collaboration with another legendary band underscores the enduring appeal of classic rock and the artists who refuse to step away from the stage.
Furthermore, Alice Cooper’s official website confirmed that late November and early December 2025 European dates are scheduled. Shows include performances in Mannheim, Dortmund, Oberhausen, and Frankfurt, Germany. This global touring schedule spans North America and Europe with major festival appearances and prominent joint tours. It exemplifies Cooper’s commitment to his craft and validates his earlier statement that touring is not a choice but a necessity for artists like himself.
