Rock star Alice Cooper surprised shoppers at Scarborough Market Hall over the weekend while visiting the North Yorkshire seaside town for a concert.
The 78-year-old musician, who has an estimated net worth of $50 million, looked worlds away from his usual on-stage persona as he ditched his heavy makeup and costume for a leisurely browse around the market stalls. Cooper was in Scarborough to perform to a sold-out crowd of over 8,000 fans at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre with his rock supergroup, The Hollywood Vampires.
During his walk around the market hall, Cooper stepped inside a shop owned by local trader Julie Henderson. Henderson told the Scarborough News that she spotted the singer right outside before he walked through her door.
Henderson said: "I noticed him outside my door and then he just wandered in, I instantly thought 'Wow! Alice Cooper is in my shop'."
She described the musician as "really nice, lovely to talk to, very down to earth" and revealed that he purchased one of her Art Tote bags. Cooper also allowed her to take a photograph of him modelling the bag he had just bought.
Social media users reacted with delight after photos of the rocker visiting local businesses were posted online. One fan wrote on Facebook: "Walking past my artwork. What a buzz." Another user posted: "Love this and a nice bit of normality for him." A third fan added: "What a legend and great to see him supporting the local businesses."
Supergroup origins and classic rock covers
Cooper, who is famous for hit tracks including "School's Out" and is widely known as the "Godfather of Shock Rock", formed The Hollywood Vampires in 2015. He created the supergroup alongside Hollywood actor and guitarist Johnny Depp, Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, and guitarist Tommy Henriksen.
The band name was originally inspired by and derives from an exclusive celebrity drinking club named The Hollywood Vampires, which Cooper formed in the 1970s. The rock supergroup performs covers of legendary hits by iconic artists such as The Who, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, and The Doors, alongside original songs penned by Depp and his bandmates.
Since the inception of The Hollywood Vampires, the lineup has also at one point included and performed with artists Brad Whitford, Buck Johnson, Bruce Witkin, Duff McKagan, Robert DeLeo, Chris Wyse, Glen Sobel, and Matt Sorum.
Johnny Depp and high school rock roots
Although Depp is primarily known as a major star of the silver screen, the actor is an accomplished guitarist who has been playing the instrument for decades. Back in the day, Depp dropped out of high school to pursue his dream of becoming a rock star, coincidentally becoming a Hollywood film star along the way.
The concert took place at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre, an outdoor performance venue situated in the North Yorkshire coastal resort town. The venue regularly hosts major touring acts during the summer season.
