Orianthi

Orianthi Penny Panagaris was born in Adelaide, Australia, to a Greek father. She began playing piano at the age of three, and at the encouragement of her father, moved to acoustic guitar at the age of six. When she was eleven, she took up electric guitar and left her school, Mercedes College, enrolling at Cabra Dominican College. She also attended St Peter's Collegiate Girls' School for a short period. At the age of 15, she turned her focus to writing songs and so began her professional career.[http://www.theage.com.au/news/music/lady-plays-the-blues-santana-among-fans/2007/07/06/1183351460529.html The Age] Article: "Lady plays the blues: Santana among fans" Patrick Donovan 7 July 2007" She has been playing in bands since the age of 14 and performed in her first stage show for Steve Vai at the age of 15. Orianthi met and jammed with Carlos Santana when she was 18.{{cite news | url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,25735484-2,00.html?from=public_rss | title=Adelaide musician Orianthi was Michael Jackson's guitarist | first1=Carly | last1=Crawford | first2=Kate | last2=Kyriacou | newspaper=Sunday Mail | location=SA | date=5 July 2009 | access-date=17 October 2009 }} He invited Orianthi to get up and jam with him at soundcheck then later asked if she would join him on stage that night to jam at his Adelaide concert, Memorial Drive on 30 March 2003.{{cite web | url=http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/07/03/michael-jackson-danced-with-her/ | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630064506/http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/07/03/michael-jackson-danced-with-her/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=30 June 2012 | work=Anderson Cooper 360 | title=Blog Archive – Michael Jackson and that blond guitarist | publisher=CNN.com Blogs | access-date=25 December 2010 }}

Orianthi independently released her debut studio album, Violet Journey in 2005, composing all the material, contributing guitar, vocals, and drums on most cuts. She produced and mixed the final product at her home studio. Carlos Santana brought Orianthi to Paul Reed Smith's attention which led to her endorsement. Orianthi relocated to Los Angeles, signed with Geffen Records in late 2006 and struck a management deal with 19 Entertainment.

Orianthi has made a commercial for Panasonic, featured in the song "Now or Never" for Bratz: The Movie, played at the Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival, appeared in The New York Times business section promoting eco-friendly acoustic guitars,[http://www.orianthi.net/bio.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108005145/http://www.orianthi.net/bio.htm|date=8 January 2014}} and opened for Steve Vai in the US.

Orianthi appeared at the 51st annual Grammy Awards in February 2009 as Carrie Underwood's lead guitarist,{{cite web | url=http://newsfeed.carrienews.com/2009/02/10/carrie-underwoods-grammys-guitarist-who-was-that.aspx | title=CarrieNEWS: Carrie Underwood's Grammys guitarist: Who was that? | publisher=Newsfeed.carrienews.com | date=8 February 2009 | access-date=25 December 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512173911/http://newsfeed.carrienews.com/2009/02/10/carrie-underwoods-grammys-guitarist-who-was-that.aspx | archive-date=12 May 2011 | df=dmy-all }}{{cite web | url=http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1604641/rating-the-grammys-alison-krauss-and-robert-plant-rule.jhtml | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212093600/http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1604641/rating-the-grammys-alison-krauss-and-robert-plant-rule.jhtml | url-status=dead | archive-date=12 February 2009 | title=News : Rating the Grammys: Alison Krauss and Robert Plant Rule | publisher=CMT | date=9 February 2009 | access-date=25 December 2010 }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2009/02/19/entertainment/scott_tady/doc4995b5bb6b9c4322815150.prt|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713213140/http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2009/02/19/entertainment/scott_tady/doc4995b5bb6b9c4322815150.prt|url-status=dead|title=Article 404 - The Times - Beaver, PA|archive-date=13 July 2009|website=The Times|access-date=22 January 2025}} with Underwood inviting Orianthi to become a member of her band. Following that performance (in addition to recommendations from industry professionals), Michael Jackson's management reached out to Orianthi for an audition for This Is It concerts. Orianthi was hence Michael Jackson's lead guitarist and was present at all rehearsals for his This Is It concerts before his death.{{cite web | url=http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-etoria0312940847jul02,0,1224372.story?track=rss | title=Jackson rehearsal video guitarist discovered by LI's Vai | work=Newsday | date=10 July 2009 | access-date=25 December 2010 }}{{cite web | url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/whos-michael-jacksons-guitarist-meet-orianthi-211781 | title=Who's Michael Jackson's guitarist? Meet Orianthi Panagaris | work=MusicRadar | date=3 July 2009 | access-date=25 December 2010}} In regard to being handpicked by Jackson, she stated:

{{blockquote|I don't know exactly why he picked me, but he watched my YouTube videos and loved them. He had his choice of guitar players, but I came in and played the 'Beat It' solo for him. Afterward he was so happy he got up and grabbed my arm and started walking up and down the stage area with me. He said, 'Can you play once for me?' and hired me that night. I wish he was still around. He made me believe in myself more, and I learned so much. Going into it, I thought it would be all about playing guitar solos. But the majority of it was playing chords and funky rhythms.[http://news.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/general/view.bg?articleid=1206642&srvc=home&position=also Guitarist Orianthi Panagaris gets screen time in 'This is It'] Boston Herald article by Jed Gottlieb Friday, 23 October 2009}} She played and sang at Jackson's memorial, globally televised live on 7 July 2009. She appears in the film Michael Jackson's This Is It, which chronicles the rehearsals for the tour and shows her and Jackson on stage. She presented an award at the 2009 American Music Awards, which Jackson won posthumously. Orianthi also appears on "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" – with the original co-written and partly performed by Jackson.{{cite news | url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/orianthi-gets-we-are-the-world-call-up/story-e6frf7jx-1225825921748 | title=Orianthi gets We Are The World call-up | newspaper=Herald Sun | date=2 February 2010 | access-date=25 December 2010}} She plays guitar on "Monster", a song credited to Michael Jackson featuring 50 Cent, which was released on the 2010 edition of Michael on 14 December 2010. It was removed along with two other songs from the Michael album on digital editions on 29 June 2022 and on physical editions on 9 September 2022 due to their false authenticity of Jackson's vocals.

Orianthi started working on her major label debut Believe in 2007, which was released in October 2009. The album produced the worldwide hit "According to You", which was the Single of the Week on iTunes on 27 October 2009, reached number 2 on US radio airplay and charted to number eight in Australia, three in Japan, and achieved platinum status in the US and Australia. The charismatic rock instrumental "Highly Strung" featuring Steve Vai became a popular YouTube video with millions of views and climbing, and her song "Suffocated" was featured on Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock as a playable song.

Orianthi appeared on several late-night shows; most notably, she appeared on American Idol results show, which aired on 26 March 2010. In 2010, she toured extensively, with headlining shows in the US, Japan, Australia, and Malaysia. She also opened for other artists including John Mayer, Mika, Kid Rock, Daughtry and over 30 dates for Adam Lambert's Glam Nation Tour with former Idol contestant Allison Iraheta. Orianthi performed at various music festivals and charity functions most notably at the Stand Up to Cancer telethon.

On 12 October 2011, the 5 track EP Fire, produced by Dave Stewart was released as an iTunes download. Five songs from the EP appeared on Orianthi's third studio album, Heaven in This Hell. The album was released on 12 March 2013.{{cite news | url=http://www.guitarworld.com/orianthi-announces-release-date-new-solo-cd-heaven-hell | title=Orianthi Announces Release Date for New Solo CD, 'Heaven in This Hell' | date=28 January 2013 | access-date=2 February 2013 | work=Guitar World }}

In 2020 Orianthi signed an exclusive record deal with rock label Frontiers Records. "The album O was released on 6 November 2020, making it her first studio album in seven years. Marti Frederiksen produced the album and was preceded by the single "Sinners Hymn".{{cite web |last1=Devita |first1=Joe |title=Orianthi Debuts Moody 'Sinners Hymn' + Announces First Album in Seven Years |url=https://loudwire.com/orianthi-snners-hymn-lyrics-o-album/ |website=loudwire.com |date=31 August 2020 |access-date=31 August 2020}} Two other songs from the album, "Impulsive" and "Sorry", were released as singles and had music videos.{{cite news | url=https://metalplanetmusic.com/2020/10/orianthi-releases-new-single-impulsive/| title=ORIANTHI : releases – new single 'Impulsive' | date=3 October 2020 | access-date=19 July 2020 | work=Metal Planet Music }}{{cite news | url=https://nextmosh.com/orianthi-shares-sorry-music-video/ | title=Orianthi shares "Sorry" music video | date=23 November 2020 | access-date=19 July 2022 | work=NextMost }}

In January 2022 Orianthi announced that a live DVD and album would be released later in the year through Frontiers Records. In March she shared the title for her fifth album, Rock Candy.{{cite news | url=https://fullinbloom.com/orianthi-on-the-way-live-dvd-documentary-new-record-and-tour-2022/| title=Orianthi: "On the way – live DVD, documentary, new record and tour" – 2022 – Album, 'Rock Candy' | date=24 January 2022 | access-date=19 July 2022 | work=Full in Bloom }} On 15 July 2022, Live from Hollywood was released on CD/DVD and Blu-ray. The performance was captured on 8 January 2022 at the Bourbon Room in Hollywood. Rock Candy was then released on 14 October.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/freakurdream/status/1547724608341569537 |title=It's all happening!! |via=Twitter|access-date=19 July 2022}}

In 2024 Orianthi releases lead single First Time Blues (ft Joe Bonamassa).{{cite web|url=https://www.therockpit.net/2024/orianthi-releases-first-time-blues-ft-joe-bonamassa/ |title=Orianthi releases first time blues ft Joe Bonamassa |date=26 March 2024 |access-date=26 March 2024}}

Orianthi has been very prolific in collaborating and being featured by many artists. She is featured on Iraheta's third single "Don't Waste the Pretty"{{cite web|url=http://www.aolradioblog.com/2010/06/04/allison-iraheta-dont-waste-the-pretty-orianthi/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100607020429/http://www.aolradioblog.com/2010/06/04/allison-iraheta-dont-waste-the-pretty-orianthi/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=7 June 2010 |title=Allison Iraheta "Don't Waste the Pretty" feat. Orianthi – New Song" |publisher=aolradioblog.com |date=4 June 2010|access-date = 6 June 2010}} and on Fefe Dobson's song "Can't Breathe"{{cite web | url=http://www.bestfan.com/viewnews.php?id=208| title=BestFan.com | access-date=25 December 2010}} which appears on Fefe Dobson's album Joy released in November 2010. She has stated that the people she has collaborated with (i.e. Allison Iraheta and Lacey Mosley) are some of her best friends.

She recorded for the song "Sadda Haq" composed by Academy award-winning composer A. R. Rahman for a Bollywood 2011 film soundtrack Rockstar. The song became very popular and garnered substantial media coverage in India for Orianthi, being cited for her time as Michael Jackson's lead guitarist.{{cite news|title=MJ's lead guitarist plays for Ranbir!|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/music/news-and-interviews/MJs-lead-guitarist-plays-for-Ranbir/articleshow/10183234.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003035806/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-30/news-and-interviews/30229999_1_orianthi-rahman-imtiaz|url-status=live|archive-date=3 October 2011|access-date=14 October 2011|newspaper=The Times of India|date=30 September 2011}}{{cite news|title=MJ's female guitarist strums for Rockstar|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/MJ-s-female-guitarist-strums-for-Rockstar/Article1-751952.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930184124/http://www.hindustantimes.com/MJ-s-female-guitarist-strums-for-Rockstar/Article1-751952.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 September 2011|access-date=14 October 2011|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=30 September 2011}}

Orianthi joined supergroup Hollywood Vampires on the track "Whole Lotta Love" from the band's 2015 self-titled debut album.

In October 2016, Orianthi featured in the 2016 NRL Grand Final pre-game entertainment alongside Richie Sambora. Their performance was met with mixed reviews, and Sambora defended their performance the following day on Twitter.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-grand-final-entertainment-keith-urban-richie-sambora-orianthi/news-story/0a328bc4e400bfda6c54f0c67fcbb640 |title=We're for Sydney |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=8 April 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.9news.com.au/national/2016/10/02/20/13/nrl-fans-left-underwhelmed-by-samboras-grand-final-performance|title=Richie Sambora responds after NRL grand final performance slammed|website=9news.com.au|date=3 October 2016 }}

On 29 September 2017, Orianthi and Richie Sambora released a five-song EP called Rise under the name RSO (an acronym of the two members' initials).{{Cite news |url=https://glidemagazine.com/194330/roots-guitarists-orianthi-richie-sambora-celebrate-new-musical-adventure-rso-interview/ |title=MY ROOTS: Guitarists Orianthi & Richie Sambora Celebrate New Musical Adventure With RSO |first=Leslie Michele |last=Derrough |work=Glide Magazine |date=2 October 2017 |access-date=2 October 2017}} They released another EP Making History on 15 December 2017, and their debut album Radio Free America was released on 11 May 2018. The band performed on the 5th episode of Season 11 of the PBS performance series Soundstage, which premiered on 3 May 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.pbs.org/program/soundstage/|title=Soundstage – PBS Programs – PBS|website=Soundstage – PBS Programs – PBS}}

Orianthi appears on the track "Limelight" from Don Felder's album American Rock 'n' Roll, released in April 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.donfelder.com/news/don-felder-to-release-new-album-american-rock-n-roll-out-april-5 |title=Don Felder to Release New Album | American Rock 'N' Roll Out April 5 |website=Donfelder.com |date=25 January 2019 |access-date=8 April 2020}}

File:Alice Cooper and Orianthi 2012-10-28.jpg during Alice Cooper's Halloween Night of Horror in 2012]]

On 29 August 2011, Orianthi was announced as Alice Cooper's new guitarist. She replaced Damon Johnson, who is now a member of Thin Lizzy.{{cite web |url=http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/News/orianthi-joins-alice-0829-2011/ |title=Orianthi Joins Alice Cooper's Band |publisher=Gibson.com |access-date=14 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928023737/http://www.gibson.com/en%2Dus/Lifestyle/News/orianthi%2Djoins%2Dalice%2D0829%2D2011/ |archive-date=28 September 2011 |url-status=dead }} She was the first female member of the Alice Cooper band. Orianthi did two world tours with Alice Cooper, but resigned in June 2014, and was replaced by Nita Strauss. Her departure caused a rift between her and Strauss' respective fanbases, though the guitarists themselves are friends.{{cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/watch-alice-cooper-play-schools-out-with-orianthi-and-nita-strauss |title=Watch Alice Cooper Play "School's Out" with Orianthi and Nita Strauss |publisher=Guitar World |date=13 August 2018 |access-date=8 April 2020}}

Orianthi has appeared as a guitarist for other stars including shows with Michael Bolton, Dave Stewart and James Durbin. She also appeared on the Top 7-week season 12 of American Idol on 3 April 2013 to play guitar for each of the performances. One month later Orianthi performed Fine China with Chris Brown at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/bbma-2013/1563585/10-awesome-2013-billboard-music-awards-performances-watch |title=10 Awesome 2013 Billboard Music Awards Performances: Watch |magazine=Billboard |date=23 May 2013 |access-date=2 August 2014}} and on 8 December of that same year she paid tribute to Carlos Santana, performing in the Kennedy Center Honors Gala.{{cite web|url=http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/specialevents/honors/ |title=The Kennedy Center Honors

|publisher=Kennedy-center.org |access-date=2 August 2014}}

She spent most of 2013–2015 touring with Dave Stewart, started BeMyBand, and released a song.{{cite web|url=http://www.guitarworld.com/features-news-interviews/interview-orianthi-and-dave-stewart-discuss-bemyband-where-winners-share|title=Interview: Orianthi and Dave Stewart Discuss BeMyBand, Where Winners Share the Stage for the Gig of a Lifetime|date=17 January 2014}} In 2014, she joined Richie Sambora for his solo tour in Australia and Europe. In 2016, the two toured under the name RSO in Australia, South America and the UK.{{cite web|url=https://www.setlist.fm/setlists/rso-feat-richie-sambora-and-orianthi-23c35037.html|title=RSO feat. Richie Sambora & Orianthi Concert Setlists|website=setlist.fm|access-date=2 October 2017}}

In late 2024 it was announced that Orianthi would be rejoining Alice Cooper for the Too Close for Comfort Tour from 31 January through 16 February 2025 filling in for Nita Strauss who was unavailable due to other commitments,{{cite web | url=https://www.klbjfm.com/rock-daypop/orianthi-to-join-alice-cooper-for-select-2025-concerts/ | title=Orianthi to join Alice Cooper for select 2025 concerts }}{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=Rachel |date=19 December 2024 |title="I'm pretty much going to do it my way": Orianthi on her differences to Nita Strauss as she rejoins Alice Cooper's band |url=https://guitar.com/news/music-news/orianthi-nita-strauss-alice-cooper-tour/ |access-date= |website=Guitar.com |language=en-GB}} but later Orianthi had to cancel this tour because of a leg-injury.{{Cite web |last=Horsley |first=Jonathan |date=27 January 2025 |title=“Unfortunately I have a torn hamstring and damage to my hip”: Gilby Clarke to replace Orianthi (who was replacing Nita Strauss) on upcoming Alice Cooper dates |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/gilby-clarke-to-replace-orianthi-for-alice-cooper-tour |access-date=25 February 2025 |website=Guitar World}} Due to this injury, she performed at PRS's 40th anniversary show sitting on stage.{{Cite web |last=Borg |first=Janelle |date=19 February 2025 |title=“I called Alice and said, ‘I'm in a lot of pain. I’m not too sure what's going on’”: Orianthi reveals her agony over the injury that forced her to pull out of her Alice Cooper tour return – and play Back in Black sitting down at PRS’ epic anniversary show |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/orianthi-shares-update-on-the-injury-that-forced-her-to-cancel-the-alice-cooper-tour-and-play-back-in-black-sitting-down |access-date=25 February 2025 |website=Guitar World}}

Orianthi met with Little Kids Rock students at the annual trade show for music merchants (the NAMM Show) in 2010 after they opened for her. The kids gave her an acoustic guitar they autographed and she joined LKR's Honorary Board.{{cite web|url=https://www.littlekidsrock.org/friends/our-big-fans-old/orianthi/ |title=Orianthi |work=Little Kids Rock |access-date=13 August 2019}}

In 2025, on PRS's 40th anniversary show Orianthi was on stage and played together with Dany Villarreal (lead singer and guitarist of The Warning). After their song, Orianthi gifted her PRS private stock signature guitar to Villarreal.{{Cite web |last=Vero Gazcon |date=1 February 2025 |title=THE WARNING X PRS: Dany Villarreal hace cantar a sus guitarras |url=https://paruno.com/blogs/paruno-blog/the-warning-x-prs-dany-villarreal-hace-cantar-a-sus-guitarras |access-date=24 February 2025 |language=es}}

{{main|Orianthi discography}}

Solo career

• Believe (2009)
• Heaven in This Hell (2013)
• O (2020)
• Rock Candy (2022)

RSO

• Radio Free America (2018)

• PRS Custom 22
• PRS Custom 24
• PRS SE Custom 24
• PRS SE Singlecut
• Jackson KV2& KV5 (discontinued)
• Jackson DX10 (Discontinued)
• Ibanez RG Series (discontinued)
• Gibson Les Paul (early)
• Gibson SG (early)
• Garrison & Taylor Acoustics
• Duesenberg Starplayer TV, gift from Dave Stewart
• PRS SE Orianthi (her own signature SE model)

She also has a special private stock PRS Custom 24 guitar, nicknamed "MJ", made for the This Is It concerts. This one of a kind guitar is decorated with Swarovski crystals.[http://www.prsguitars.com/artists/story/2009/orianthialbum.html www.prsguitars.com] Quote: "Orianthi posed for the cover of 'Believe' holding a whale blue Custom 24 completely covered in Swarovski crystals. The guitar was custom made for the Michael Jackson tour and was nicknamed 'MJ' by Orianthi."

• Orange Amplification
• ENGL (This Is It)
• EVH 5150III
• Marshall
• Mesa Boogie

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{Official website|https://www.orianthi.me/}}
• {{IMDb name|3100811}}
• [https://archive.today/20120717010513/http://www.19.co.uk/projects/music/orianthi/ Orianthi's page at 19 Entertainment]
• [https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/orianthi Orianthi Interview] at NAMM Oral History Collection (2019)
• [https://australianrockshow.libsyn.com/episode-129-orianthi-interview 2020 Interview – Australian Rock Show Podcast]

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Orianthi}}

{{Alice Cooper}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Orianthi}}

Category:19 Recordings artists

Category:1985 births

Category:21st-century Australian women guitarists

Category:Alice Cooper (band) members

Category:Australian expatriates in the United States

Category:Australian heavy metal guitarists

Category:Australian heavy metal singers

Category:Australian lead guitarists

Category:Australian people of Greek descent

Category:Australian rock guitarists

Category:Australian rock singers

Category:Australian women guitarists

Orianthi

Category:Australian women rock singers

Category:Geffen Records artists

Category:Living people

Category:Musicians from Adelaide

Category:Women heavy metal singers