NITA STRAUSS Returns For Seventh Season Performing With LOS ANGELES RAMS; To Be Joined By Husband JOSH VILLALTA On Drums

Guitarist Nita Strauss is returning to the stage this weekend to kick off her seventh season performing at Los Angeles Rams NFL games, continuing one of the most recognizable partnerships between rock music and professional sports.

This season also brings some extra energy as Josh Villalta — Strauss's husband, manager, and drummer — will be performing at the games by her side.

A drummer and performer in his own right, Villalta has spent years sharing stages with Strauss while also playing an integral role as manager behind the scenes in her career. His new role as drummer brings another live music element to the Rams' game day experience and puts the longtime musical duo side by side on one of the biggest stages in professional sports.

Josh comments: "To be brought in this year is an incredible honor. The Rams organization has been amazing to Nita and I over the years, so having the opportunity to officially join her makes this even more special. I'm excited to bring a new element to the game day experience, I have some cool ideas in mind and I can't wait for the fans to see and hear what we bring to the stadium this season."

Strauss has become a defining musical presence at Rams home games over the past seven seasons, bringing her high-octane performances to one of the NFL's biggest stages. Her tenure with the organization has included the Rams' Super Bowl LVI championship and her own Super Bowl ring.

Nita says: "There's only one thing better than playing your hometown stadium, and that's doing it with your partner by your side. Josh takes every live performance to another level and I'm so excited for the fans at Sofi to get to experience it! Can't wait to rock the Rams House together!"

Widely regarded as one of the premier guitarists of her generation, Strauss's career includes a No. 1 song at rock radio, more than 11 million streams across her solo catalog, worldwide magazine covers, signature instruments and products with Ibanez, D'Addario, Levy's and DiMarzio, and a résumé that includes Alice Cooper, Demi Lovato and WWE.

The 2026 season comes during an already unforgettable year for Strauss and Villalta, who welcomed their son, Maxwell, in June. Now, the longtime musical partners and new parents will add another first as they take the Rams field together.

Catch Nita Strauss and Josh Villalta live this Saturday, August 22 as the Los Angeles Rams take on the New Orleans Saints in the home opener at SoFi Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. PT.

Nita and Josh got married in May 2024 at The Hollywood Roosevelt hotel in Los Angeles, California. Among the guests at the wedding were Nita's Cooper bandmates Alice Cooper and Chuck Garric, DISTURBED singer David Draiman and his now-wife Sarah Uli, DISTURBED bassist John Moyer and his wife Brandi, pop-rock singer Demi Lovato and her now-husband Jordan "Jutes" Lutes, and celebrity chef Chris Santos and his wife, actress Natalie Makenna.

Josh proposed to Nita during the record-release party for her latest solo album, "The Call Of The Void", on July 6, 2023 in West Hollywood, California.

Villalta and Strauss met in 2011 in the driveway of the Rainbow Bar & Grill in West Hollywood after being introduced by current Yamaha marketing manager Mike Taft.

This past April, Cooper introduced British guitarist Anna Cara in place of Strauss. 23-year-old Anna, from Newcastle, England, has previously worked with Marc Storace (from the Swiss band KROKUS) and Tommy Henriksen (guitarist with both Alice and the HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES). She has built an Instagram following with her videos.

In March 2023, it was announced that Nita would return to Alice's band for his 2023 tour.

Nita spent eight years playing with Alice before joining Lovato's band in the summer of 2022.

Nita made her live debut with Demi in July 2022 with a performance of "Substance" on ABC's Emmy Award-winning late-night show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!".

Strauss had been playing with Cooper since 2014 when she replaced Australian musician and former Michael Jackson player Orianthi. She joined Alice in time for a mammoth MÖTLEY CRÜE tour. She was recommended to Cooper by the legendary rocker's former bass player and WINGER frontman Kip Winger.