Legendary guitarist, songwriter and record producer Dick Wagner, best known for his many years as song-writer, lead guitar and music director for rock icon ALICE COOPER, is recovering in a Scottsdale Arizona hospital, after suffering a life threatening heart attack in early July.

According to Suzy Michelson, one of Wagner’s partners in the Phoenix based label Desert Dreams Records, LLC, the 64-year-old musician was taken July 3 to the hospital’s ICU, where he was given angioplasty to remove blockage and later had a pacemaker implanted. Doctors expect him to make a full recovery.

“I just saw Dick at the hospital and he is now entirely alert,” she says. “His great mind is intact, his wit and humor are intact. His heart and body are recovering, and he will soon be back to 100%. He is entirely off life support systems, and his prognosis is excellent.

“Dick is one of my dearest friends in the entire world,” Michelson adds, “and I am so relieved to share this great news with everyone. He is not only a brilliant songwriter and phenomenal guitar player, but also a very special soul with a big heart.”

In addition to his work with Cooper, Wagner, a native of the Detroit area, helped define an era in rock history by performing or writing for AEROSMITH, LOU REED, BURTON CUMMINGS, KISS, MEAT LOAF, STEVE PERRY, RINGO STARR, ETTA JAMES, PETER GABRIEL, ROD STEWART and AIR SUPPLY.

Wagner recently produced and co-wrote, Torch Rock, the popular debut album by powerhouse pop/rock singer Wensday. Wagner has told friends and associates he feels that Torch Rock is one of the finest works of his career. Wensday’s official website is www.wensdaymusic.com.

Torch Rock includes Wensday’s memorable cover of 'Only Women Bleed', one of Wagner’s groundbreaking collaborations with Alice Cooper. Other hits co-penned by Cooper and Wagner are 'You and Me', 'Welcome To My Nightmare', and 'I Never Cry'. Wagner was Cooper’s right hand man on such groundbreaking albums as Welcome To My Nightmare, Goes To Hell, Lace and Whiskey, From The Inside and DaDa.

Desert Dreams Records, whose other principal is Alex Cyrell, is a full service independent label that takes a revolutionary, hands-on approach in developing extraordinary artists to become the cutting-edge stars of tomorrow.

“When Dick is fit again, he will be recording new music with Steve Hunter and Fred Mandel of the ‘Welcome To My Nightmare’ band for the upcoming Wagner/Hunter documentary, which also features Alice Cooper,” says Michelson.

Fans who would like to express their thoughts and best wishes to Wagner can post comments on his MySpace page.