Hollywood Vampires rock the Mid-State Fair 

Joe Perry, Johnny Depp, Alice Cooper play tribute to the fallen greats of rock and roll

–The Hollywood Vampires, a band made up of Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp and Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, rocked the stage at the Mid-State Fair Monday night. Fans gathered to see them play both original music, and tributes to the fallen greats of rock and roll, including covers such as, “My Generation,” “Whole Lotta Love,” and a “School’s Out/Another Brick in the Wall,” medley.

Cooper, the lead vocalist in the group for the night, made many a mention of “vampires,” throughout the performance, explaining that they were those rock-and-roll giants who had lost their lives but whose music remains immortal. The Hollywood Vampires were formed at a bar that was a gathering place for the rock stars living in or passing through Los Angeles.

To join the “Hollywood Vampires” club, “one simply had to out drink all of the members,” according to Cooper. Patrons included greats such as John Lennon, Harry Nilsson, Keith Moon, Bernie Taupin, Jim Morrison and Mickey Dolenz and others. Three years ago, Alice and Depp got together and decided the spirit of the Hollywood Vampires should live again (minus the drinking). Alice and Johnny were joined by Joe Perry, who is an old friend of both of them, and the recording began: a tribute to the original Hollywood Vampires.

The concert just may have been a once in a lifetime; a tour like this, “is likely not to happen again,” according to Perry.