Veteran hard rock vocalist GRAHAM BONNET has issued one of his most forceful public statements to date, taking direct aim at the current incarnation of ALCATRAZZ. In remarks shared via Stairway To Rock, the former frontman did not hold back, declaring the band “dead” and expressing deep frustration over what he described as misrepresentation, poor musicianship, and misuse of his image and legacy.
For longtime fans, the comments mark a dramatic escalation in tensions that have surrounded the ALCATRAZZ name in recent years. According to GRAHAM BONNET, the band operating under that banner today bears little resemblance to the group he helped establish.
Questioning the legitimacy of the current lineup
In his statement, GRAHAM BONNET directly challenged the credibility of the musicians currently performing as ALCATRAZZ. He emphasized his role in shaping the band’s music and dismissed the involvement of present members.
Transcribed by Stairway To Rock:
“It’s ridiculous. I wrote the songs — me and the guitar players. Joe Stump has nothing to do with Alcatrazz. And neither do the other people in the band — the band, whatever it’s supposed to be,” Bonnet said.
“It’s not even a good cover band. It’s terrible.”
Rather than framing his criticism as a personal dispute, GRAHAM BONNET focused on authorship and authenticity. In his view, participation without creative contribution undermines the very identity of the band.
Anger over image and song usage
Beyond musicianship, GRAHAM BONNET expressed particular outrage over what he described as the unauthorized use of his image and material. According to him, the current lineup is benefiting from work they did not create.
Transcribed by Stairway To Rock:
“I saw videos of it, and it’s laughable. They’re trying to do something that is not working for them. And I’m very happy it isn’t, because they’re stealing my image on t-shirts and stuff, selling t-shirts, blah, blah, blah, blah, Alcatrazz, yada, yada, yada, and all the songs I’ve written with [former Alcatrazz guitarists] YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, with STEVE VAI, they’re doing those things,” he continued.
“It’s not their music. They are not a musical band. None of those guys in that band. It’s not even a band.”
Here, GRAHAM BONNET reinforced a central theme of his criticism. For him, ALCATRAZZ was defined by specific creative partnerships, particularly with guitarists like YNGWIE MALMSTEEN and STEVE VAI, whose contributions helped shape the band’s identity.
Harsh assessment of performances
The vocalist went further by offering a detailed critique of what he described as the current lineup’s lack of musical competence. His frustration appeared rooted not only in principle, but also in what he claimed to have witnessed firsthand.
Transcribed by Stairway To Rock:
“There’s the keyboard player and our manager, our ex-manager, my ex-manager, their ex-manager singing. I mean, how stupid is that? It’s, like, what the hell’s going on here? And if you’ve ever seen a video of them, it’s laughable. It’s so bad,” Bonnet said.
While the language was blunt, the message was clear. GRAHAM BONNET believes the current performances fall far below the standards he associates with the ALCATRAZZ name.
Reflecting on the band’s past highs and lows
Despite his anger, GRAHAM BONNET also reflected on the band’s earlier years, acknowledging periods when ALCATRAZZ was, in his words, a “good band.” He described a rise-and-fall pattern tied closely to key personnel changes.
Transcribed by Stairway To Rock:
“I’m embarrassed to even think that I put that band together years ago with YNGWIE. And it was a good band for a while. And when YNGWIE was gone, that’s when the band started to go downhill. And then STEVE VAI came along, and we were up again. It was okay. I mean, we had some great players, but not what they are doing right now.”
This reflection offered context rather than contradiction. According to GRAHAM BONNET, ALCATRAZZ thrived when strong creative chemistry existed, but gradually lost direction when that chemistry disappeared.
Accusations of pre-recorded performances
One of the most serious claims involved alleged pre-recorded elements during live shows. GRAHAM BONNET accused the current lineup of misleading audiences about what was actually being played live.
Transcribed by Stairway To Rock:
“A keyboard player who can’t play. He presses the button… He doesn’t play all [the notes]. He pretends to play it. It’s all pre-recorded. And I’m saying this because it’s true.”
He also responded to claims allegedly made about his own abilities.
Transcribed by Stairway To Rock:
“And they’re telling the public that I don’t sing. Come on. If they’re saying that, I can say this, that the keyboard player can’t play and that the manager of the band can’t sing. It sounds ridiculous,” he said.
Declaring the end of Alcatrazz
In closing, GRAHAM BONNET delivered his most definitive statement yet, declaring that ALCATRAZZ, as a meaningful entity, no longer exists.
Transcribed by Stairway To Rock:
“Anyway, that’s my bit. And Alcatrazz is dead, it’s dead — long dead — and the name now embarrasses me.”
The finality of the comment left little room for interpretation. For GRAHAM BONNET, the band’s name now represents something disconnected from the music and spirit he helped create.
A legacy in dispute
While fans and observers may debate the validity of his claims, the statement highlights an ongoing struggle common in long-running rock bands. Ownership, legacy, and authenticity often collide when lineups change and names persist.
For GRAHAM BONNET, however, the issue appears deeply personal. His remarks suggest not just disagreement, but disappointment that a once-respected name continues in a form he no longer recognizes.
As discussions continue within the rock community, one thing is certain. GRAHAM BONNET has made his position unmistakably clear, and the debate surrounding ALCATRAZZ is far from over.
