Alice Cooper announced today that eminent guitar prodigy Orianthi will join his band, replacing departing guitarist Damon Johnson, for the next leg of his 2011 “No More Mr. Nice Guy” world tour starting September 22,2011 in Auckland, New Zealand. Currently in progress, the tour hits ninety plus cities, covering five continents, including Europe and North America twice over.
At the young age of 26, Orianthi has already experienced what most aspiring musicians only dream of. She's opened for her hero, Steve Vai; backed Carrie Underwood; traded solos with Carlos Santana; shared the stage with the King of Pop (Michael Jackson) and accompanied Alice during his live performance of “School’s Out” on the 2010 season finale of American Idol.
"It’s very difficult to find someone to match the talents of Damon Johnson,” commented Cooper, “but not only did we find someone who is more than up to the challenge…she also looks WAY better."
Orianthi will join world-renowned guitarist Steve Hunter (toured and recorded with Cooper and Lou Reed) and Tommy Henriksen (co-wrote and played on Cooper’s upcoming release); drummer Glen Sobel and Alice's longtime bassist Chuck Garric round out the band.
“I’m super excited to go on tour with Alice,” said Orianthi. “It’s a huge honor to be able to get on stage and jam with an icon.”
Orianthi will debut with the band for a performance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Friday September 9, 2011 on NBC.
View a full list of tour dates here
I'm just back from Alice's concert in Toulouse today. The band really rocked it. I was surprised to see Orianthi with the band as I was not aware she was touring with 'em. I liked very much her looks & playing but there was something wrong with the sound mix and her guitar was almost inaudible most of the time, eaten up by the sound of the other two guitar players.
I couldn't think of a better musician than Alice Cooper for her to work with. He is always the consumate professional. She can learn a lot from this relationship.
D-A_M-O-N why did he leave... best luck
why is d-a-m-o-n-s name erasing when i type ???? werid!!
(i meant (damon), why u leaving...just saww yall in concert last month...wow
anyway best luck..dj
damonnnnnnnnnn???????? why u leaving...just saww yall in concert last month...wow
anyway best luck..
man, i'v been watchin sm vids of orianthi & im freakin' totally blown away!!! she is stellar on the axe & i hope she continues wearin the schoolgirls uniform frm the american idol performance... helloooo!!!
SENSATIONAL !!!!!!
Welcome Orianthi!
i hope I'll hear your guitar roaring in November in France!
Great news after Damon's departure.
gonna miss damon in the line-up, but i'm grateful to have seen him jammin' with you @ lewisburg!
hope things go well with him as he joins lizzy. with this new girl, it should be new and interesting, to say the least! 
Sorry to hear that Da.mon is going to go, he was amazing! But this new girl sounds great too! Can't wait to see her on the Tonight Show :)
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¨°º¤ø„¸ ALICE COOPER¸„ø¤º°¨
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That chick rocks!! I loved her with MJ! This is freaking fantastic!!!
She is a smokin' hot guitarist in so many ways....
ISAW HER PLAYING WITH STEVE VAI SHE TORE IT UP DOOD DESISON
Will miss Damon... (Great musician) But sounds like this will be a Super Addition
Thats AWESOME. I'm happy for her. I Just saw Alice last week and he rocked the KNOB big time. Wish she had been with him then. I've seen her perform and she does a great job...
I think it'll be something good for You ;)
Have fun ; )'