Meet the New Guitarist Joining Alice Cooper’s Band

Alice Cooper is once again reshaping his touring lineup—this time with a fresh face and a passing of the torch that reflects both continuity and change within his long-running stage show.

A New Guitarist Steps Into the Spotlight

When Cooper takes the stage this Thursday night, audiences will be introduced to Anna Cara, a 22-year-old guitarist from Newcastle, England, who steps in for longtime band member Nita Strauss. Strauss announced earlier this year that she would be stepping away from touring duties as she prepares to welcome her first child this summer.

Though new to Cooper’s main lineup, Cara is far from an unknown quantity within his musical orbit. She has previously worked with Tommy Henriksen—a key member of Cooper’s band and collaborator in the Hollywood Vampires—as well as with Marc Storace of Krokus. Those connections have helped pave the way for her rapid ascent to one of rock’s most theatrical stages.

Her official debut will take place during the Welcome to Our Nightmare shows in Las Vegas, a theatrical concert series running Thursday through Saturday in collaboration with illusionist Criss Angel. The setting, known for its elaborate visuals and dramatic flair, offers a fitting introduction for a guitarist stepping into such a high-profile role.

Endorsements From Legends

In announcing Cara’s arrival, Cooper made it clear that her selection was not only intentional but enthusiastically supported from within his inner circle.

“Nita found a brilliant British female guitarist to fill in for her while she is on maternity leave,” Cooper said.

“Anna Cara is a beautiful, dynamic shredder in the vein of Nita but with a style of her own,” he added. “She will fit in with our gang perfectly while Nita is away, and we can’t wait for the sick things to meet her. Welcome to the show, Anna!”

Strauss, whose tenure with Cooper spans over a decade, echoed that confidence.

“When I was asked in an interview who I thought was the best up-and-coming guitarist, I had no hesitation in answering ‘Anna Cara,’” Strauss said. “Anna’s precision and soulful, emotional playing will make her an amazing asset to the Cooper tour.

“Working with Alice for 12 years has been the experience of a lifetime, and I look forward to seeing you all back on the road,” she continued. “Until that time comes, I know that the show is in good hands and the fans are in for a treat.”

The dual endorsement—from both a shock rock pioneer and one of modern metal’s most respected guitarists—positions Cara not just as a temporary replacement, but as a rising force worth watching.

Touring Into a New Era

Cara’s tenure with Cooper will extend beyond her Las Vegas debut. She is set to join the Alice’s Attic tour, which launches April 14 in San Antonio and runs through May 9 in Camden, New Jersey. Additional Las Vegas dates with Angel are scheduled for late May, followed by a European leg beginning June 13 in Istanbul, Turkey, and concluding July 12 in Romano d’Ezzelino, Italy. More shows are expected to be announced for the fall.

For Cara, the opportunity represents more than a career milestone—it marks the realization of a long-held ambition shaped during her formative years as a guitarist.

“This is like a dream come true, to join Alice and his great band,” she said. “Back when I started playing guitar at 14, I was watching Alice Cooper live shows on YouTube, dreaming of joining one day.

“Nita Strauss is a tough act to follow, and she’s been so encouraging to me this past month, so I am looking forward to showing everyone who I am and what I can do.”

Yet beyond the immediate excitement lies a broader narrative about generational continuity in rock music. Cooper’s willingness to spotlight emerging talent—while maintaining the theatrical intensity that has defined his career—suggests a band that is not merely preserving its legacy, but actively evolving it. In Cara, the production gains not only a capable stand-in, but a musician whose presence hints at the next chapter of a stage show that has never stopped reinventing itself.

Alice Cooper, Alice’s Attic Tour 2026
4/2-4 — Las Vegas, NV — Criss Angel Theatre (“Welcome To Our Nightmare” w/ Criss Angel)
4/14 — San Antonio, TX — Majestic Theatre
4/15 — Irving, TX — Toyota Music Factory
4/17 — Topeka, KS — Performing Arts Center
4/18 — Cedar Rapids, IA — Alliant Energy Powerhouse
4/19 — Terre Haute, IN — The Mill
4/21 — Toledo, OH — Stranahan Theatre
4/23 — Columbus, OH — Mershon Auditorium
4/24 — Pikeville, KY — Appalachian Wireless Arena
4/25 — Huber Heights, OH — Rose Music Center @ The Heights
4/27 — Virginia Beach, VA — The Dome
4/28 — Durham, NC — Performing Arts Center
4/29 — Spartanburg, SC — Memorial Auditorium
5/1 — Albertville, AL — Sand Mountain Amphitheatre
5/2 — Albany, GA — Civic Center
5/3 — Pensacola, FL — Bay Center
5/5 — Fort Myers, FL — Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall
5/6 — Fort Lauderdale, FL — Aurene Theatre
5/7 — Daytona Beach, FL — Welcome to Rockville festival
5/9 — Camden, NJ — Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
5/22-24 — Las Vegas, NV — Criss Angel Theatre (“Welcome To Our Nightmare” w/ Criss Angel)
6/13 — Istanbul, Turkey — Lifepark Open Air
6/18 — Clisson, France — Hellfest
6/19 — Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain — Azkena Rock Festival
6/21 — Dessel, Belgium — Graspop Metal Meeting
6/24 — Copenhagen, Denmark — Copenhell Festival
6/25 — Oslo, Norway — Tons of Rock Festival
6/27 — Rattvik, Sweden — Dalhalla Open Air
6/30 — Plzen, Czechia — Logspeed Arena
7/2 — Ballenstadt, Germany — Rock Harz Open Air
7/3 — Clam, Austria — Clam Rock @ Clam Castle
7/4 — Eisenstadt, Austria — Lovely Days Festival
7/7 — Zurich, Switzerland — The Hall
7/8 — Luxembourg, Luxembourg — Rockhal
7/9 — Gelsenkirchen, Germany — Amphitheatre
7/12 — Romano D’Ezzelino, Italy — AMA Music Festival