Rock Isn't Dead - Part 1 of Our Interview With Ryan Roxie

Rock Isn’t Dead – Part 1 Of Our Interview with Ryan Roxie of Roxie 77, Alice Cooper & Casablanca

“It Makes Me Believe That Rock N Roll Isn’t Gonna Die”

It’s still surreal to me that just over a week ago I was sitting at my computer talking to the very guy that I just saw play live just over a month ago at the best, most inspiring, jaw dropping concert I’ve ever been to.

I’m talking about Ryan Roxie, who has many titles to his name – Guitarist , Philanthropist, Singer and Guitar Teacher.

Roxie, who has been in bands with some of the most recognizable names in rock, such as Slash and Gilby Clarke came back to ‘Raise The Dead’ with Alice Cooper in 2012 after being away from the band since 2006. Ryan is also currently promoting his own bands, Casablanca (which has a new album “Riding A Black Swan” ready to drop September 25th) and Roxie 77 (which he fronts) in Sweden.

One of the first things you will notice about Ryan Roxie if you have the opportunity to talk to him is that he is a ‘real person’. He hasn’t let the fame get to his head. He does it for the music and raw emotion which is essentially what Rock N Roll is all about. You pour yourself into the music with the hopes of touching someone else’s life. That is exactly what Ryan does.

He has also turned to other method’s of touching lives by working closely with several charities and foundations over the years and is currently working closely with the Pay It Forward Foundation. You can check out their mission to spread kindness , one bracelet at a time by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page.

Fresh off of the first leg of this year’s Alice Cooper’s Raise The Dead tour, an enthusiastic Ryan took the time out of his busy schedule to talk to me about everything from having Alice Cooper as his boss,why he believes rock n roll isn’t going to die and touring with Marilyn Manson to his best and worst onstage experiences.

Jessica: So, how was the first leg of the tour?

Ryan: The first leg of this tour has gone extremely well, especially being that no one knew what to expect from the Marilyn Manson/Alice Cooper teaming. No one knew what the combination was going to result in. They thought there would be maybe very volatile, maybe there would be a lot of aggression and it ended up being actually very, very peaceful but rocking every night and the bands all got along. Marilyn had nothing but respect for Alice and Alice has nothing but respect for Marilyn and the shows and the crowds and everybody was better and more into it than I think anybody expected.

Jessica: Awesome, so what’s it like working for Alice?

Ryan: I always say that Alice Cooper, if you can find a guy that is that funny, performs that way every single night, gives it his all and has long, black hair and pays you a pretty good paycheck , take that guy as your boss. *laughs* He’s like I always say, one of the coolest bosses I’ve ever had and the coolest boss I’ve ever had. Sometimes I forget that he’s my boss because he’s the singer. You know? He’s the singer of the band. He’s the leader of the band and he’s just one iconic name and he proves it every night up onstage why he has such a legacy.