The Iron Maidens

This article is about the tribute band. For other uses, see Iron Maiden (disambiguation).

The Iron Maidens are an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, formed in 2001^[2] as an all-female tribute act to English heavy metal band Iron Maiden.^[3] The band currently consists of drummer Linda McDonald, bassist Wanda Ortiz, lead vocalist Kirsten Rosenberg and guitarists Courtney Cox and Nikki Stringfield.

The Iron Maidens
The Iron Maidens at Wacken Open Air 2022
Background information
Origin	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	Heavy metal
Years active	2001–present
Labels	Powerslave
Members	Linda McDonald Wanda Ortiz Kirsten Rosenberg Courtney Cox Nikki Stringfield^[1]
Past members	Melanie Sisneros Jenny Warren Jojo Draven Aja Kim Elizabeth Schall Sara Marsh Heather Baker Nili Brosh Nita Strauss
Website	theironmaidens.com

History

The Iron Maidens were originally formed in June 2001 by lead vocalist Jenny Warren and bassist Melanie Sisneros, formerly of the Iron Maiden tribute band Wrathchild.^[4] drummer Linda McDonald and guitarist Josephine Draven, both formerly of Phantom Blue, and guitarist Sara Marsh, joined Warren and Sisneros shortly afterward to form the band's first lineup.^[5][6] Sisneros left the band in 2002 to pursue other interests and was replaced by Wanda Ortiz.

In 2003, the band started work on their debut album. The project was delayed when Warren gave notice of her departure from the band to focus more on her personal and child's needs.^[7] After Warren's departure, new vocalist Aja Kim made her debut in the band and helped complete the album (World's Only Female Tribute to Iron Maiden), which was released in June 2005.^[8]

After the album's release, Draven left the band. In February 2007, Heather Baker joined to replace Draven. In May, the band released its second album Route 666, which features a guest appearance by Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell.^[9]

In summer 2008, Heather Baker and Aja Kim left the band to pursue solo careers.^[10] The two were replaced by guitarist Courtney Cox and vocalist Kirsten Rosenberg (formerly of the Maryland-based cover band HighWire).^[11] In January 2010, Marsh, who was ill, was taken off some of the Japanese tour shows and did not rejoin the band.^[12] Baker rejoined the band to temporarily fill in Marsh's spot for a handful of shows.^[12]

 

L-R: Nikki Stringfield, Wanda Ortiz, and guest guitarist Nili Brosh

In August 2010, The Iron Maidens released a DVD of their Japan tour titled Metal Gathering Tour Live in Japan 2010.^[13][14]

Upon Marsh's departure from the band, former members Elizabeth Schall and Heather Baker would return briefly to fill in the vacant Murray position (2009–2010). For tours 2010–2014, the role of Dave Murray would be shared between artists Nili Brosh, Nita Strauss, and Nikki Stringfield. In 2014,the band approached Nikki Stringfield to become a permanent member in the Murray position.

Nita Strauss (Ibanez), Courtney Cox (Caparison) and Nikki Stringfield (Schecter) are the first female artists to have their own signature guitar with their associated guitar companies.

In June 2014, Nita Strauss was hired to replace Orianthi as Alice Cooper's touring guitarist for the remaining 2014 tour dates. She has toured with Alice Cooper since that time.^[15]

On September 8, 2015, the group announced that long-time guest guitarist Nikki Stringfield had been officially added as a permanent member of the band.^[16]

Rosenberg and Stringfield appeared as contestants on the August 3, 2017, episode of the music game show Beat Shazam.^[17]

Members

 

The Iron Maidens 2007–2008 Lineup

Current members^[18]

• Linda McDonald ("Nikki McBurrain") – drums, backing vocals (2001-present)
• Wanda Ortiz ("Steph Harris") – bass, backing vocals (2002-present)
• Kirsten Rosenberg ("Bruce Chickinson") – lead vocals (2008-present)
• Courtney Cox ("Adriana Smith") – guitars, backing vocals (2008-present)
• Nikki Stringfield ("Davina Murray") – guitars, backing vocals^[1] (2012-present)

Former members / fill-in members

• Melanie Sisneros ("Steve Heiress")^[19] – bass (2001–2002)
• Jenny Warren ("Bruce Chickinson") – lead vocals (2001–2003)
• Jojo Draven ("Adrienne Smith") – guitars (2001–2005)
• Sara Marsh ("Mini Murray") – guitars (2001–2010)
• Aja Kim ("Bruce Lee Chickinson")^[20] – lead vocals (2003–2008)
• Elizabeth Schall ("Adrianne Smith" and "Deena Murray") – guitars (2005–2006)
• Heather Baker ("Dee Murray" and "Adrienne Smith") – guitars (2007–2008, 2010)
• Nili Brosh ("Mega Murray") – guitars (2010–2013)
• Nita Strauss ("Mega Murray") – guitars (2011–2015)

Timeline

Discography

Albums

• World's Only Female Tribute to Iron Maiden (2005)
• Route 666 (2007)
• The Root of All Evil (2008)

Videos

• Metal Gathering Tour Live in Japan 2010 (2010)

References

1. Paone, Caroline (July 15, 2013). "The Iron Maidens: Brave New Women". Guitar Girl Magazine. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
2. Outhier, Craig (February 4, 2010). "The 10 Best Tribute Bands of All Time". Phoenix New Times. Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
3. Nelson, Courtney. . Juneau, AK, USA: Juneau Empire. Archived from the original on March 7, 2011. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
4. Harward, Randy (May 1, 2003). . Salt Lake City Weekly. Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Archived from the original on October 25, 2003. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
5. Epstein, Dan (February 2003). "The Iron Maidens – All Girls Tribute Band Takes Flight". Guitar World. South San Francisco, Calif. p. 30.
6. Duchene, Paul (December 13, 2002). "Metal maids ride high". The Portland Tribune. Portland, Oregon, USA. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
7. . Blabbermouth.net. March 7, 2004. Archived from the original on July 3, 2004. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
8. "The Iron Maidens – The Iron Maidens". allmusic.com. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
9. "Route 666 – The Iron Maidens". allmusic.com. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
10. . Roadrunnerrecords.com. Archived from the original on February 27, 2011. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
11. "The Iron Maidens". Full Metal Rock. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
12. Bansal, Aniruddh "Andrew" (February 20, 2010). "In-person interview with Linda McDonald, Kirsten Rosenberg, Wanda Ortiz and Courtney Cox of The Iron Maidens". Los Angeles CA, USA: MetalAssault.com. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
13. . Blabbermouth.net. October 4, 2010. Archived from the original on September 10, 2010. Retrieved September 8, 2010.
14. "The Iron Maidens: new interview, performance footage posted online". Hertogenbosch, Netherlands: Metalrage.com. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
15. Woods, James (February 21, 2014). "Guitarist Nita Strauss Talks Touring with Alice Cooper, Gear and Three-Guitar Attacks". guitarworld.com. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
16. "Timeline Photos – The Iron Maidens – Facebook". facebook.com. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
17. "Beat Shazam Recap: August 3, 2017". Fikkle Fame. August 3, 2017. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
18. Larson, John (September 29, 2010). "Scream for me, Washington". Tacoma Weekly. Tacoma, Washington, USA. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
19. "Crescent Shield: New Song Available For Streaming". Blabbermouth.net. March 10, 2009. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
20. "The Iron Maidens". All Access Magazine. October 5, 2006. Retrieved November 6, 2010.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Iron Maidens.

• Official website
• The Iron Maidens on Facebook