Nita Strauss
She shattered the glass ceiling of shred guitar, bringing blistering technique and theatrical fury to stadium stages worldwide.
Born 1986 (age 40)·American guitarist·Birthday: December 7·Millennials
Biography
Nita Strauss didn't just enter the male-dominated world of rock guitar; she stormed its gates with a virtuosic command of the instrument and an undeniable stage presence. Cutting her teeth in the LA metal scene and with the all-female tribute band The Iron Maidens, Strauss's big break came when shock rock king Alice Cooper called. As his touring guitarist, she became a central part of his macabre spectacle, her precise, high-velocity solos providing a modern edge to the classic show. Her influence expanded far beyond Cooper's stage, however. She built a formidable solo career, collaborating with pop stars like Demi Lovato and landing major endorsement deals, effectively rewriting the rulebook for what a female guitarist in rock could achieve commercially and critically.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Nita was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Nita Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Nita's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became the first female guitarist to have a signature model with Ibanez, the JIVA series.
- Her solo instrumental track 'Dead Inside' hit number one on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart in 2021.
- Serves as the touring guitarist for rock legend Alice Cooper, a role she has held since 2014.
- Released her debut solo album, 'Controlled Chaos,' to widespread critical praise in 2018.
Did You Know?
She is named after the composer Richard Strauss, not the guitar brand.
Strauss is a certified fitness enthusiast and often incorporates her workout regimen into her touring schedule.
She performed the national anthem at multiple NFL games and WWE events.
Before joining Alice Cooper, she was the lead guitarist for the all-female Iron Maiden tribute band, 'The Iron Maidens.'
“I want to show every little girl that you can play an instrument, you can be on stage, you can be loud, you can be powerful.”
