During a recent interview with American Musical Supply at the NAMM 2025 Ibanez booth, Nita Strauss discussed her thoughts on Kane Roberts replacing her on the Alice Cooper tour in 2022.
When asked if returning to Cooper’s band felt like home, she responded, “I guess so,” adding, “I was only away from the Alice band for one tour.”
The host pointed out that it seemed like a longer absence, to which Nita replied, “It was a bigger deal out there than it was in here. The scene makes a bigger deal out of things without realizing how it’s going. I think I missed less than 20 shows or something.”
She explained that it was just one short tour without her, and Kane Roberts, who filled in, is an amazing player. “I got to see the show with Kane and I loved it. I actually stayed behind on the Demi Levator tour. I stayed in Denver,” she shared.
When asked if she felt any jealousy about returning to the stage with Cooper, Strauss said, “No, I was so happy cuz I’m a Big Kane Roberts fan. Watching the guys and Kane… He just has such a unique style and he’s so cool on stage.”
She also expressed her desire to tour with Roberts, saying, “I loved seeing it and I wish that I could have been on the tour with him and got to see it all the time.” When the host suggested, “Well, maybe next year,” Nita responded, “Maybe so. Four guitar players. Make it happen.”
The guitarist also mentioned, “Not at the moment,” when asked if there were any new solo projects coming soon.
After eight years with Cooper’s band, Strauss left in 2022 to join Demi Lovato’s band. Three months later, she performed with Cooper for one show and rejoined his band in 2023. The musician announced in November that she would be taking another break, with Orianthi filling in for her on shows from late January to mid-February 2025.
However, Orianthi recently posted on X that she has a torn hamstring, as well as hip and lower back issues, so she will not be able to join Alice on the upcoming tour. Gilby Clarke will step in for her.
