Brian `Renfeild` Nelson, the personal assistant to Alice Cooper and Alice archivist, has died suddenly.
A statement at Alice’s MySpace reads, “It is with extreme sadness that we need to inform the community of Alice Cooper fans of the passing of Brian "Renfield" Nelson, Alice's long-time archivist and personal assistant. It was a sudden, completely unexpected, and untimely passing. We would appreciate it if you would keep him in your thoughts, appreciate his many contributions to Alice's life and career over the years, and respect Brian's privacy and the privacy of Alice and his extended family (at home and on tour) at this time”.Ren, as he was known, was an Alice Cooper collector from way back which lead to him getting a full-time job with Cooper.
Amoungst his collection is Alice Cooper’s birth certificate, old passports, the Leopard skin boots from the Billion Dollar Babies tour and various jackets and costumes including the leather bondage outfit from the Madhouse Rock tour.
Ren join Alice in the early 80s for the Special Forces tour. He described himself as “a dumb kid in Buffalo who in 1972 became obsessed with Alice Cooper and insanely addicted to collecting Alice memorabilia”.
Ren scored a few cameos around Alice. He is seen for about a second standing behind Alice in Wayne’s World, his hand is visible in the Bed of Nails video and he was the doctor Alice strangled occasionally during ‘Dwight Fry’ on the South American tour of 97.
Despite the news, Alice, who is currently on tour in Europe will keep the show going in the name of Ren.
“Alice is currently on tour in Russia, because the show must go on, which is as Brian would have wanted it,” the statement at the website said.
Dates are:
Tuesday 18th August - WIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, WOLLONGONG (THEATRE MODE) - Bookings: Ticketek 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au
Wednesday 19th August - GOLD COAST CONVENTION CENTRE (THEATRE MODE) - Bookings: Ticketek 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au
Friday 21st August - NEWCASTLE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE (THEATRE MODE) - Bookings: Ticketek 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au
Saturday 22nd August - BRISBANE CONVENTION CENTRE (THEATRE MODE) - Bookings: Ticketek 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au
Monday 24th August - SYDNEY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE (THEATRE MODE) - Bookings: Ticketmaster 136 100 or www.ticketmaster.com.au
Wednesday 26th August - ROYAL THEATRE, CANBERRA - Bookings: Ticketek 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au
NEW SHOW: Thursday 27th August - PALAIS THEATRE, MELBOURNE - Bookings: Ticketmaster 136 100 or www.ticketmaster.com.au
Friday 28th August - PALAIS THEATRE, MELBOURNE - Bookings: Ticketmaster 136 100 or www.ticketmaster.com.au
Saturday 29th August - THEBARTON THEATRE, ADELAIDE - Bookings: Venuetix (08) 8225 8888
Tuesday 1st September - CHALLENGE STADIUM, PERTH (THEATRE MODE) - Bookings: Ticketmaster 136 100 or www.ticketmaster.com.au
