The Iron Maidens

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. 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. 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. 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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

In August 2023, Courtney Cox announced that she was leaving The Iron Maidens to take up a full time role in Burning Witches.

Band members

;Current

• 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)
• Nikki Stringfield ("Davina Murray") – guitars, backing vocals (2012–present)
• Shani Kimelman ("Adriana Smith") – guitars (2023–present)

Former / fill-in

• Melanie Sisneros ("Steve Heiress") – 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") – 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)
• Courtney Cox ("Adriana Smith") – guitars, backing vocals (2008–2023)
• Nili Brosh ("Mega Murray") – guitars (2010–2013)
• Nita Strauss ("Mega Murray") – guitars (2011–2015)

Timeline

ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:25 PlotArea = left:90 bottom:80 top:10 right:20 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/2001 till: TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:3 ScaleMajor = increment:4 start:2001 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:2001

Colors = id:vocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals id:bvocals value:pink legend:Backing_vocals id:guitar value:green legend:Guitars id:bass value:blue legend:Bass id:drums value:orange legend:Drums

BarData = bar:Warren text:"Jenny Warren" bar:Kim text:"Aja Kim" bar:Rosenberg text:"Kirsten Rosenberg" bar:Marsh text:"Sara Marsh" bar:Draven text:"Jojo Draven" bar:Schall text:"Elizabeth Schall" bar:Baker text:"Heather Baker" bar:Cox text:"Courtney Cox" bar:Brosh text:"Nili Brosh" bar:Strauss text:"Nita Strauss" bar:Stringfield text:"Nikki Stringfield" bar:Kimelman text:"Shani Kimelman" bar:Sisneros text:"Melanie Sisneros" bar:Ortiz text:"Wanda Ortiz" bar:McDonald text:"Linda McDonald"

PlotData= width:11 bar:Warren from:01/01/2001 till:01/01/2003 color:vocals bar:Kim from:01/01/2003 till:01/01/2008 color:vocals bar:Rosenberg from:01/01/2008 till:end color:vocals bar:Marsh from:01/01/2001 till:01/01/2010 color:guitar bar:Draven from:01/01/2001 till:01/01/2005 color:guitar bar:Schall from:01/01/2005 till:01/01/2006 color:guitar bar:Baker from:01/01/2007 till:01/01/2008 color:guitar bar:Baker from:01/01/2010 till:06/01/2010 color:guitar bar:Cox from:01/01/2008 till:08/01/2023 color:guitar bar:Cox from:01/01/2008 till:08/01/2023 color:bvocals width:3 bar:Kimelman from:08/01/2023 till:end color:guitar bar:Brosh from:01/01/2010 till:06/01/2013 color:guitar bar:Strauss from:01/01/2011 till:06/01/2015 color:guitar bar:Stringfield from:01/01/2012 till:end color:guitar bar:Stringfield from:01/01/2012 till:end color:bvocals width:3 bar:Sisneros from:01/01/2001 till:01/01/2002 color:bass bar:Ortiz from:01/01/2002 till:end color:bass bar:Ortiz from:01/01/2002 till:end color:bvocals width:3 bar:McDonald from:01/01/2001 till:end color:drums bar:McDonald from:01/01/2001 till:end color:bvocals width:3

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

References

1. Paone, Caroline. (July 15, 2013). "The Iron Maidens: Brave New Women". Guitar Girl Magazine.
2. Outhier, Craig. (February 4, 2010). "The 10 Best Tribute Bands of All Time". [[Phoenix New Times]].
3. Nelson, Courtney. "Iron Maidens prepare to rock Juneau". [[Juneau Empire]].
4. Harward, Randy. (May 1, 2003). "Lady Killers". [[Salt Lake City Weekly]].
5. Epstein, Dan. (February 2003). "The Iron Maidens – All Girls Tribute Band Takes Flight". Guitar World.
6. Duchene, Paul. (December 13, 2002). "Metal maids ride high". [[The Portland Tribune]].
7. (March 7, 2004). "The Iron Maidens Part Ways With Bruce Chickinson, Vow To Carry On". [[Blabbermouth.net]].
8. "The Iron Maidens – The Iron Maidens". [[allmusic.com]].
9. "Route 666 – The Iron Maidens". [[allmusic.com]].
10. "Former THE IRON MAIDENS Singer Collaborating With MOTÖRHEAD's PHIL CAMPBELL – July 3, 2008". Roadrunnerrecords.com.
11. "The Iron Maidens". Full Metal Rock.
12. Bansal, Aniruddh "Andrew". (February 20, 2010). "In-person interview with Linda McDonald, Kirsten Rosenberg, Wanda Ortiz and Courtney Cox of The Iron Maidens". MetalAssault.com.
13. (October 4, 2010). "The Iron Maidens: New Interview". [[Blabbermouth.net]].
14. "The Iron Maidens: new interview, performance footage posted online". Metalrage.com.
15. (February 21, 2014). "Guitarist Nita Strauss Talks Touring with Alice Cooper, Gear and Three-Guitar Attacks".
16. "Timeline Photos – The Iron Maidens – Facebook". facebook.com.
17. (August 3, 2017). "''Beat Shazam'' Recap: August 3, 2017". Fikkle Fame.
18. (August 3, 2017). "''Beat Shazam'' Recap: August 3, 2017". Brave Words.
19. Larson, John. (September 29, 2010). "Scream for me, Washington". [[Tacoma Weekly]].
20. (March 10, 2009). "Crescent Shield: New Song Available For Streaming". [[Blabbermouth.net]].
21. (October 5, 2006). "The Iron Maidens". All Access Magazine.