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| Dick Wagner with Alice Cooper - Phoenix, Arizona - June 2014 |
Former Alice Cooper guitarist Dick Wagner died Wednesday morning at the age of 71.
The Detroit Free Press reports Wagner succumbed to respiratory failure at Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he had been in intensive care for the past two weeks following a cardiac procedure
The Michigan-bred guitarist first connected with Cooper when played lead on the track, “My Stars”, from his 1972 album, “School’s Out.” Wagner continued to play lead guitar (sometimes uncredited) on every Alice Cooper Group album that followed, through the break up of the original group.
Wagner then joined Lou Reed for his 1973 studio album, “Berlin”, before becoming his band leader and musical arranger for live performances.
The guitarist reteamed with Alice for his 1975 debut solo album, “Welcome To My Nightmare.” Wagner continued to co-write songs and play lead guitar on several additional Cooper solo albums in the years that followed.
Wagner also worked as a hired gun on other projects, appearing on Aerosmith’s sophomore album, 1974’s “Get Your Wings”, KISS’ 1976 album, “Destroyer” and 1992’s “Revenge”; Peter Gabriel’s 1977 self-titled solo debut, and many others.
“I love you all very much,” wrote Wagner in his final Facebook post on July 23. “I can’t wait to play for you all again one day soon. Thank you for all your kind wishes.”
See also:
Alice Cooper featured on In The Studio
VIDEO: Alice Cooper debuts new guitarist Nita Strauss
PHOTOS: Alice Cooper rehearses for Motley Crue farewell tour
Alice Cooper comic book series coming this fall
Super Duper Alice Cooper documentary preview
Search Alice Cooper at hennemusic
