Alice Cooper at Challenge Stadium
Thus far, it had not been a good weekend for 70s American singers. But while Meat Loaf had lost the Grand Final, Alice Cooper was still very much on game.
It was a three-quarter filled Challenge Stadium, but the devotees were out in force.
Smudged makeup on their faces and proudly worn old Alice tour t-shirts were signifiers that for two hours everyone could be 18 again, even the 12 year-old sitting next to me.
The macabre family entertainment began with the lights down and Vincent Price's intro to The Black Widow.
The curtain came crashing down into the song itself and Alice Cooper was off, singing from a towering podium, fans singing back at him and punching their fists from the get-go.
Cooper descended the staircase to the stage, hauling into 2000's Brutal Planet and then '70s classics I'm Eighteen and Billion Dollar Babies, which saw Alice flinging out Dollar Bills that had been skewered on his sword.
During the Suffragette City swing of Under My Wheels he hurled his cane into the crowd – a gesture that could make someone a nice little earner on eBay, but will no doubt take pride of place in the games room.
No More Mr Nice Guy and Hey Stoopid were the kinds of sing-alongs that seemed to prove that Alice doesn't need props, but the live snake that draped around his shoulders during Is It My Body? indicated that in this world there is room for both.
Bass and drums solos are often time for a drinks break, but the rhythm section of Chuck Garric and Glen Sobel went about theirs in a dynamic call and response approach that perfectly suited the eventual rockestra of Halo Of Flies, featuring Alice 'conducting' his band.
A new leather jacket, emblazoned on the back with 'New Song' suggested that Alice knows people want to hear old hits, but the reaction to I'll Bite Your Face Off, would have been encouraging for not only the singer, but his accountant.
A trio of lead guitarists bled the way, but Adelaide girl Orianthi (the guitar player for Michael Jackson's ill-fated This Is It show) really seemed to have a spellbinding effect on the audience, striking up a blinding solo that fell into a fragile Only Women Bleed. Alice caressed a mannequin gently in this song, before the tender turned into the toughness of Cold Eythl.
Feed My Frankenstein saw Alice joined by a three-metre high friend named Frankenalice, it's easy to picture if you try.
And still the classics poured out: the early '80s new wave of Clones (We're All) and the Bon Jovi-esque Poison.
Alice, meanwhile, had been annoyed by a 'pesky photographer' who had been following him onstage.
Stabbing him with a mic-stand, justice would soon come Alice's way, and the guillotine was wheeled out. The band played I Love The Dead as Alice's 'head' was paraded around the stage by his executor.
The resurrection was televised, however, when Alice rode again for the iconic, School's Out, which featured a savvy sashay into Pink Floyd's Another Brick In The Wall. Come time for encores, Alice brandished an Australian flag for Elected, basking in the kind of popularity Julia can only dream of.
"Playing the part of Alice Cooper tonight has been… me!" the old showman explained before exiting the stage. There's certainly no other.
by BOB GORDON
au.news.yahoo.com
I saw Alice's show, and it was spectacular! I didn't get any canes, dollar bills or anything like that at the show, but I did get to meet him at Perth Airport the very next day! Luckily I was wearing my concert tour shirt from the night before! He was very nice. And I was glad to see amongst the older people there were people my age (16) and younger. You can bet I was in there my face painted and singing along having a great time, definatley going to the next concert!
Alice Cooper gets better with age, the villian creepy character looks so much better every time i see the show and the stage presence of the man is awsome.
Has to be the greatest showman in rock music and no doubt the greatest heavy rocker of all time! go to a show and see for your self. Nothing will quench your
thirst after seeing Alice.
Is Alice ever going to do a Anthology DVD (plus heaps of Extras), this would be so great.
Omg the Alice Cooper Perth concert was awesome!!!!! Also I thought I would have been the youngest there but I guess not, just one year older than that person!! I wish I could have been in the front row, he seemed to give everything to the front row! Anyway that was my first Alice Cooper concert and I would totally go again!
the only thing missing was the money hope the theives enjoy there kama
it was a briliant show from an even better showman only disapointments were that only the front row got the canes and my hubbies wallet was stolen on the way there we did get it back 
sure sounds like a great tour ! can't wait to see another show
@PopeyJN: The support band in Melbourne was Syndicate. They were awesome, got to meet them at their limo after the show! Too bad I didn't get to meet Alice.
What a great night, though! :)
OH - MY - GOD !!!!!!!! HALO OF FLIES !!!!!!!! and l missed the show ???????? URRRRGGGGHHHH !!!!!!!
Who were the support act up first in Melbourne before Alice
btws: Alices concerts were amazing and i would go again and again
The cane he threw into the crowd (well... he sort of passed it to me, being in the front row) at the 1st Melbourne gig is proudly displayed on my wall above the photo of him strangling me and my 15 year old son! NEVER TO BE ON EBAY! WE LOVE YOU ALICE!!!!!