Kane Roberts recently spoke to 80’s Metal Recycle Bin and revealed that he received mixed reactions from Alice Cooper fans when he took over from Nita Strauss.
The guitarist said the following while discussing replacing Strauss:
“I had to fit into something that was really etched in stone, the way the show was supposed to feel. So some people, the first night they saw what I did and they weren’t crazy about it because it was just so different without Nita there. And my thing is more like… I’m just sort of stalking the stage and spitting and whatever I feel like doing. She has her thing but the difference was really pronounced.”
Adapting To The Stage Dynamics With Alice’s Band
He then talked about how he still felt comfortable on the stage with Alice’s band:
“I was aware of that, but it was never uncomfortable because the guys in the band are so good, and they’re really nice people, like all of them. One night somebody threw a bra at me, and I was thinking, ‘Was this like Tom Jones or what the f*ck?’ And then there was one night these guys showed up, and they had a big poster that said I’m here to see Kane Roberts.”
Alice Cooper As The Central Attraction
The rocker believes that ultimately, the audience’s focus is mainly on Cooper, as he continued:
“There was never the fans were… I don’t know, I can’t speak for all of them, but they were just really receptive, and one of the reasons why it is no matter what you’re doing up on stage, 90% of what people care about at that moment is Alice. So he could have had a cumquat with a guitar and then probably would have gotten a standing ovation.”
Roberts’ Conditions For Replacing Strauss Again
In March, the news broke that Nita would rejoin Alice Cooper’s band for his 2023 tour. Before her stint with Demi Lovato’s band last year, Strauss had spent eight years performing alongside Alice. In a March chat with Miles’ The Shoe’ Schuman, Roberts reflected on the conditions that would lead him to take her place once more, saying:
“I think that [Nita] injured her knee or something [early last year]. So I think that’s what it was. In case of an emergency, [the idea was floated that] I might have to do a few more shows. I think that was all it was. And that’s what we were talking about. And Alice and I were talking about going to South America and playing; how cool that would be.”
In October, Strauss fell sick and had to miss several shows. Fortunately, she soon recovered and continued touring with the band in later gigs.
You can watch the full interview below.
