Former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke will replace Orianthi in Alice Coope’s band after she left due to health issues.
Clarke will step in for Nita Strauss from January 31 to February 17. Orianthi was first announced as Strauss’ replacement but can’t continue the tour due to sudden health problems.
“I have a torn hamstring, hip, and lower back issue which is very uncomfortable and unfortunate,” Orianthi said on X. “Getting the help I need here with the best doctors. I have been advised to not tour / travel. I love Alice and the band very much, but won’t be able to do this short run with them this time. I’m mending up. Love you all.”
In a talk with Guitar World last year, Orianthi said she wanted to bring a fresh sound to Alice Cooper’s band. The rocker explained, “I bring something really different to the band than Nita does. She brings rock and metal – which is awesome. She’s an incredible player, like, the way she plays is different from me.”
She added, “I play more classic blues rock, so it’s a different dynamic. I’m pretty much going to do it my way. I’m just going to play the songs the way I played them before, and then, obviously, Alice adds the new stuff he wants me to add. Because I’m an artist, I don’t copy anything.”
The tour starts on January 31 in Augusta, Georgia, and ends on the Rock Legends Cruise from February 13 to 17. Clarke joined GNR in 1991, replacing Izzy Stradlin on the Use Your Illusion Tour. He played on their 1993 album ‘The Spaghetti Incident?’ Clarke also worked with Slash’s Snakepit, toured with Heart, and formed Rock Star Supernova in 2006.
Alice Cooper has more shows planned for spring and summer and will announce more dates with Nita Strauss soon.
