Linda McDonald
Encyclopedia
Linda McDonald is the drummer of the all-female tribute band The Iron Maidens
(billed as the "World's Only Female Tribute to Iron Maiden
"). In addition, she is a member of the Ozzy Osbourne
tribute band The Little Dolls (billed as "All Female, All Ozzy, All The Time...Covering All Eras Of Ozzy") and the cover band
s Valley Dolls, Crabby Patty (I'm So Unclear!) and Unholy Pink. Prior to those works, McDonald was the drummer/co-founder of the all-female heavy metal band Phantom Blue
from its inception in 1987 to its demise in 2001.
and Japan
ese descent, Linda McDonald was inspired to take up instruments after listening to her brother's copy of Iron Maiden
's Maiden Japan
live EP. While she took up piano, guitar and violin, her self-taught drumming skills stood out the most. Following a short stint with a three-piece female band called Andromeda, McDonald became a founding member of Phantom Blue
. And while the band found some success with their self-titled debut album
in 1989, the rest of their career was marred by instability with management, record labels and numerous personnel changes. By the late 1990s, McDonald was the only original member of Phantom Blue
. Their last recording was the EP Full Blown
(1998) before they went their separate ways in 2001.
Shortly after Phantom Blue's demise, McDonald - along with fellow band mate Josephine Soegijanty
and ex-Bandit member Sara Marsh
- joined vocalist Jenny Warren
and bassist Melanie Sisneros
to form The Iron Maidens
, an all-female tribute band to Iron Maiden
. McDonald has remained the original band member since then. As a member of The Iron Maidens, McDonald's stage name is "Nikki McBurrain," an amalgamation of Iron Maiden's former drummer Clive Burr
and their current drummer Nicko McBrain
. And much like McBrain with his drum kit, McDonald has hers decorated with a Sooty
puppet. Her favorite Iron Maiden songs are "Rime of the Ancient Mariner
", "Children of the Damned
" and "The Prisoner"
In addition to The Iron Maidens, McDonald is a member of the cover bands Crabby Patty (I'm So Unclear!), Unholy Pink and Valley Dolls. She was also the drummer of the now-defunct female Ozzy Osbourne
tribute The Little Dolls.
McDonald, along with Maidens bandmate Courtney Cox
, joined former Phantom Blue members Kim Nielsen-Parsons
, Gigi Hangach
and Tina Wood for a reunion at a benefit concert on May 26, 2009 at the Whisky a Go Go
in Hollywood, California
. The concert was for the benefit of brain research in memory of Phantom Blue co-founder Michelle Meldrum
, who died of a cystic growth in her brain on May 21, 2008.
Aside from Clive Burr and Nicko McBrain, McDonald also cites Simon Phillips
, John Bonham
, Alex Van Halen
and Phil Collins
among her influences. Her musical preferences vary from Barry Manilow
to System of a Down
. An avid pet lover, McDonald has a dog, a cat and a parakeet in her home.
cymbals; Vic Firth
drum sticks; Drum Workshop
drums, pedals and hardware; Coffin Case and Monster Energy
Drink. In the past, she used Tama drums while touring with Phantom Blue.
, Metal Edge
, Modern Drummer
, DRUM! Magazine, Kerrang, Rip, Aardshock, Metal Hammer
, L.A. Weekly, L.A. New Times, OC Weekly, Chicago Local Live Magazine, Portland Tribune, Playboy
, Hustler
, Orange County Register, The National Enquirer
, FHM
, Maxim
, two MTV
videos, ABC
’s Livin’ Large TV Show, 54321 on Fox Sports Net
, two Hard N' Heavy video magazine episodes, Gibson Lifestyle
, KCAL-TV
's 9 on the Town, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
The Iron Maidens
The Iron Maidens are an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 2001 as an all-female tribute act to English heavy metal band Iron Maiden...
(billed as the "World's Only Female Tribute to Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
"). In addition, she is a member of the Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
tribute band The Little Dolls (billed as "All Female, All Ozzy, All The Time...Covering All Eras Of Ozzy") and the cover band
Cover band
A cover band , is a band that plays mostly or exclusively cover songs. New or unknown bands often find the cover band format marketable for smaller gigs, and these bands may be known as a wedding band, party band and function band. A band whose covers consist mainly of songs that were chart hits is...
s Valley Dolls, Crabby Patty (I'm So Unclear!) and Unholy Pink. Prior to those works, McDonald was the drummer/co-founder of the all-female heavy metal band Phantom Blue
Phantom blue
Phantom Blue was an all-female American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1987. Phantom Blue were the first and only female artists to be signed to Mike Varney's Shrapnel Records, only three months after forming....
from its inception in 1987 to its demise in 2001.
Biography
Of IrishIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese descent, Linda McDonald was inspired to take up instruments after listening to her brother's copy of Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
's Maiden Japan
Maiden Japan
Maiden Japan, also known as Heavy Metal Army, is a live EP by the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden. The title is a pun of Deep Purple's live album Made in Japan....
live EP. While she took up piano, guitar and violin, her self-taught drumming skills stood out the most. Following a short stint with a three-piece female band called Andromeda, McDonald became a founding member of Phantom Blue
Phantom blue
Phantom Blue was an all-female American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1987. Phantom Blue were the first and only female artists to be signed to Mike Varney's Shrapnel Records, only three months after forming....
. And while the band found some success with their self-titled debut album
Phantom Blue (album)
Phantom Blue is the debut album by American all-female heavy metal band Phantom Blue. It was released in the U.S. by Shrapnel Records and on the rest of the world by Roadrunner Records. Marty Friedman co-produced the album...
in 1989, the rest of their career was marred by instability with management, record labels and numerous personnel changes. By the late 1990s, McDonald was the only original member of Phantom Blue
Phantom blue
Phantom Blue was an all-female American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1987. Phantom Blue were the first and only female artists to be signed to Mike Varney's Shrapnel Records, only three months after forming....
. Their last recording was the EP Full Blown
Full Blown (Phantom Blue album)
Full Blown is an EP release by American all-female heavy metal band Phantom Blue. Following the release of the live album Caught Live!, lead vocalist Gigi Hangach departed from the band, leaving drummer Linda McDonald as the sole founding member....
(1998) before they went their separate ways in 2001.
Shortly after Phantom Blue's demise, McDonald - along with fellow band mate Josephine Soegijanty
Jojo Draven
Josephine Soegijanty-Draven is an Indonesian musician and film score composer. She is currently a cast member of the Blue Man Group. She was also a guitarist for the American all-female heavy metal band Phantom Blue and the tribute band The Iron Maidens....
and ex-Bandit member Sara Marsh
Sara Marsh
Sara Marsh was one of two guitarists of the all-female tribute band The Iron Maidens . In addition, she is a former founding member of the Ozzy Osbourne tribute band The Little Dolls...
- joined vocalist Jenny Warren
Jenny Warren
Jenny Warren is an American female singer, best known as the co-founder of the all-female tribute band The Iron Maidens.-Biography:Jenny Warren first had an Iron Maiden tribute band called Wrathchild. The idea came when she discovered the website of a Chicago-based tribute band called Revelations...
and bassist Melanie Sisneros
Melanie Sisneros
Melanie Sisneros is an American bassist and is currently a member of four bands: , , and . She was also a former member of the bands Sinergy, The Iron Maidens and .-Biography:Melanie Ann Sisneros was born the second of three daughters and raised in various towns in New Mexico...
to form The Iron Maidens
The Iron Maidens
The Iron Maidens are an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 2001 as an all-female tribute act to English heavy metal band Iron Maiden...
, an all-female tribute band to Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
. McDonald has remained the original band member since then. As a member of The Iron Maidens, McDonald's stage name is "Nikki McBurrain," an amalgamation of Iron Maiden's former drummer Clive Burr
Clive Burr
Clive Burr is a British drummer, best known as a member of Iron Maiden from 1979 to 1982.-Career:Previously a member of Samson, Burr joined Iron Maiden in 1979...
and their current drummer Nicko McBrain
Nicko McBrain
Michael Henry "Nicko" McBrain is an English musician, best known as the drummer for Iron Maiden, which he joined in 1982, prior to which he had played for Streetwalkers, Pat Travers, and the French political band, Trust.-Biography:...
. And much like McBrain with his drum kit, McDonald has hers decorated with a Sooty
Sooty
Sooty is a British glove puppet bear and TV character popular in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and other countries. The children's television show which bears his name has continued in various forms since the 1950s and, according to the Guinness Book of Records, is the...
puppet. Her favorite Iron Maiden songs are "Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Powerslave
Powerslave is the fifth studio album by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released on 3 September 1984 on EMI in Europe and its sister label Capitol Records in the US ....
", "Children of the Damned
The Number of the Beast (album)
The Number of the Beast is the third studio album by the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released on 29 March 1982 through EMI and on its sister label Capitol the US. The 1998 re-issue was released by EMI and Sanctuary/Columbia in the US...
" and "The Prisoner"
In addition to The Iron Maidens, McDonald is a member of the cover bands Crabby Patty (I'm So Unclear!), Unholy Pink and Valley Dolls. She was also the drummer of the now-defunct female Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
tribute The Little Dolls.
McDonald, along with Maidens bandmate Courtney Cox
Courtney Cox (musician)
Courtney Cox is a female American guitarist and member of the all-female tribute band The Iron Maidens.- Career :A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Courtney Cox first started playing guitar around the age of 13. When she turned 15, she enrolled at The Paul Green School of Rock Music...
, joined former Phantom Blue members Kim Nielsen-Parsons
Kim Nielsen-Parsons
Kim Nielsen-Parsons is an American hard rock bassist known for being a member of the all-female band Phantom Blue.-Biography:Kim Nielsen first picked up the bass guitar at the age of 12. In the years to come, she played with local bands in Los Angeles, California, while taking lessons from Racer X...
, Gigi Hangach
Gigi Hangach
Gigi Hangach is an American female singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the all-female heavy metal band Phantom Blue. From 1989 to 1997, Hangach recorded three studio albums and a live album with Phantom Blue....
and Tina Wood for a reunion at a benefit concert on May 26, 2009 at the Whisky a Go Go
Whisky a Go Go
The Whisky a Go Go is a nightclub in West Hollywood, California, United States. It is located at 8901 Sunset Boulevard, on the Sunset Strip.-History:...
in Hollywood, California
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
Hollywood is a famous district in Los Angeles, California, United States situated west-northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Due to its fame and cultural identity as the historical center of movie studios and movie stars, the word Hollywood is often used as a metonym of American cinema...
. The concert was for the benefit of brain research in memory of Phantom Blue co-founder Michelle Meldrum
Michelle Meldrum
Michelle Meldrum-Norum was an American hard rock guitarist known for being a member of the bands Phantom Blue and Meldrum.-Biography:...
, who died of a cystic growth in her brain on May 21, 2008.
Aside from Clive Burr and Nicko McBrain, McDonald also cites Simon Phillips
Simon Phillips
Simon Phillips is an English jazz, pop and rock drummer.-Career:Phillips began to play professionally at the age of twelve in his father's Dixieland band for four years. He was then offered the chance to play in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar...
, John Bonham
John Bonham
John Henry Bonham was an English musician and songwriter, best known as the drummer of Led Zeppelin. Bonham was esteemed for his speed, power, fast right foot, distinctive sound, and "feel" for the groove...
, Alex Van Halen
Alex Van Halen
Alexander Arthur "Alex" Van Halen is a Dutch-born American musician, best known as the drummer and co-founder of the hard rock band Van Halen. Originally, his brother Eddie had taken lessons for drums, while Alex practiced guitar...
and Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
among her influences. Her musical preferences vary from Barry Manilow
Barry Manilow
Barry Manilow is an American singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, conductor, and performer, best known for such recordings as "Could It Be Magic", "Mandy", "Can't Smile Without You", and "Copacabana ."...
to System of a Down
System of a Down
System of a Down, also known by the acronym SOAD and often shortened to System, is a rock band from Southern California. The band was formed in 1994. It consists of Serj Tankian , Daron Malakian , Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan...
. An avid pet lover, McDonald has a dog, a cat and a parakeet in her home.
Phantom Blue
- Phantom BluePhantom Blue (album)Phantom Blue is the debut album by American all-female heavy metal band Phantom Blue. It was released in the U.S. by Shrapnel Records and on the rest of the world by Roadrunner Records. Marty Friedman co-produced the album...
(1989) - My Misery (single, 1993)
- Built to PerformBuilt to PerformBuilt to Perform is the second full-length album by American heavy metal band Phantom Blue. In contrast to the first album's glam metal sound, Built to Perform displays a more raw, heavy metal sound. It also features songwriting credits by all five of the band members plus former member Nicole...
(1993) - Prime Cuts & Glazed DonutsPrime Cuts & Glazed DonutsPrime Cuts & Glazed Donuts is a collection of previously recorded demos released by manager Mark Dawson and Linda McDonald of the American all-female heavy metal band Phantom Blue. Song writers Michelle Meldrum and Nicole Couch and bassist Kim Nielsen-Parsons were no longer in the band...
(1995) - Caught LiveCaught Live (Phantom Blue album)Caught Live! is a live album by American all-female heavy metal band Phantom Blue.The set list consists mainly of songs from Built to Perform and Prime Cuts & Glazed Donuts. "Going Mad" is the only song from the band's self-titled debut album on the list...
(1997) - Full BlownFull Blown (Phantom Blue album)Full Blown is an EP release by American all-female heavy metal band Phantom Blue. Following the release of the live album Caught Live!, lead vocalist Gigi Hangach departed from the band, leaving drummer Linda McDonald as the sole founding member....
(1998)
The Iron Maidens
- World's Only Female Tribute to Iron Maiden (2005/2006)
- Route 666 (2007)
- The Root of All EvilThe Root of All Evil (EP)The Root of All Evil is a Japan-only EP release by the all-female tribute band The Iron Maidens. It includes three new cover recordings of Iron Maiden songs and a dance remix of "The Trooper." This was the band's last recording to feature lead vocalist Aja Kim and guitarist Heather Baker, who left...
(2008) - Metal Gathering Tour Live in Japan 2010Metal Gathering Tour Live in Japan 2010Metal Gathering Tour Live in Japan 2010 is a Japan-only live video by the all-female tribute band The Iron Maidens. Recorded live during their tour in Japan on January 2010, it was the band's first release with new lead vocalist Kirsten Rosenberg and new guitarist Courtney Cox, and also the last to...
(video, 2010)
The Little Dolls
- Girls Got Rhythm!Girls Got Rhythm!Girls Got Rhythm! is a compilation album featuring various all-female tribute bands. The album is named after the song of the same title by AC/DC.-Track listing:# "Thunderstruck" –...
(Various artists) (2006)- "I Don't KnowBlizzard of OzzBlizzard of Ozz is the first solo studio album by British singer/songwriter Ozzy Osbourne, recorded in Surrey, UK and released on September 20, 1980 in the UK and on March 27, 1981 in the U.S.. It is the comeback album of Osbourne following his firing from Black Sabbath the previous year...
"
- "I Don't Know
Collaborations
- Warmth in The Wilderness (Tribute to Jason BeckerJason BeckerJason Eli Becker is an American virtuoso neo-classical metal guitarist and composer. At the age of 16, he became part of the Mike Varney-produced duo Cacophony with his friend Marty Friedman. They released Speed Metal Symphony in 1987 and Go Off! in 1988...
) - Transmission (Carina Alfie)
- Electric Fuzz (Carina Alfie)
- Blowin' Up the MachineBlowin' Up the MachineBlowin' Up the Machine is the second album by the heavy metal band Meldrum, featuring a modified lineup compared to that of their 2001 debut Loaded Mental Cannon...
(MeldrumMeldrumMeldrum is a multi-national Heavy Metal band formed by ex-Phantom Blue guitarist Michelle Meldrum.-History:American guitarist Michelle Meldrum started her first band Wargod with Strapping Young Lad drummer Gene Hoglan, later going on to form Phantom Blue, with whom she released two albums and an EP...
)
Equipment endorsers
Linda McDonald is currently endorsed by PaistePaiste
Paiste, a Swiss manufacturer and designer, is the world's third largest manufacturer of cymbals, gongs, and metal percussion. Paiste is an Estonian/Finnish word which means "shine"...
cymbals; Vic Firth
Vic Firth
Vic Firth is an American musician and is the founder of Vic Firth Company , a percussion stick and mallet manufacturing company that he started in 1963. The company bills itself as the world's largest manufacturer of drum sticks and mallets...
drum sticks; Drum Workshop
Drum Workshop
Drum Workshop is a drum and hardware manufacturing company based in Oxnard, California. Their slogan is "The Drummer's Choice".-History:...
drums, pedals and hardware; Coffin Case and Monster Energy
Monster Energy
-Distribution :Though it is not widely advertised in the media, Monster receives a large amount of recognition from its sponsorship of various sporting events, including motocross and car racing. Hansen Natural Corporation announced a distribution agreement with Anheuser-Busch in the U.S. and Grupo...
Drink. In the past, she used Tama drums while touring with Phantom Blue.
Media
Linda has been featured in The Los Angeles Times, Guitar WorldGuitar World
Guitar World is a monthly music magazine devoted to guitarists. It contains original interviews, album and gear reviews and guitar and bass tablature of approximately five songs each month. The magazine is published 13 times per year...
, Metal Edge
Metal Edge
Metal Edge was a magazine covering heavy metal music published by Zenbu Media. It was founded in the summer of 1985, during the height of Glam metal's success.Both Metal Edge and its sister publication, Metal Maniacs, ceased operations in 2009....
, Modern Drummer
Modern Drummer
Modern Drummer is a monthly publication targeting the interests of on drummers and percussionists. The magazine features interviews, equipment reviews, and columns offering advice on technique, as well as information for the general public...
, DRUM! Magazine, Kerrang, Rip, Aardshock, Metal Hammer
Metal Hammer
Metal Hammer is a monthly heavy metal music magazine published in the United Kingdom by Future Publishing, and in several other countries by different publishers. Metal Hammer articles feature both mainstream bands and more unusual acts from the whole spectrum of heavy metal music...
, L.A. Weekly, L.A. New Times, OC Weekly, Chicago Local Live Magazine, Portland Tribune, Playboy
Playboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
, Hustler
Hustler
Hustler is a monthly pornographic magazine aimed at men and published in the United States. It was first published in 1974 by Larry Flynt. It was a step forward from the Hustler Newsletter which was cheap advertising for his strip club businesses at the time. The magazine grew from a shaky start to...
, Orange County Register, The National Enquirer
The National Enquirer
The National Enquirer is an American supermarket tabloid now published by American Media Inc . Founded in 1926, the tabloid has gone through a variety of changes over the years....
, FHM
FHM
FHM, originally published as For Him Magazine, is an international monthly men's lifestyle magazine.- History :The magazine began publication in 1985 in the United Kingdom under the name For Him and changed its title to FHM in 1994 when Emap Consumer Media bought the magazine, although the full For...
, Maxim
Maxim (magazine)
Maxim is an international men's magazine based in the United Kingdom and known for its pictorials featuring popular actresses, singers, and female models, sometimes pictured dressed, often pictured scantily dressed but not fully nude....
, two MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
videos, ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
’s Livin’ Large TV Show, 54321 on Fox Sports Net
Fox Sports Net
The Fox Sports Regional Networks, or simply Fox Sports Net , are a collection of cable TV regional sports networks in the United States owned and operated by News Corporation.- Beginnings :...
, two Hard N' Heavy video magazine episodes, Gibson Lifestyle
Gibson Guitar Corporation
The Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
, KCAL-TV
KCAL-TV
KCAL-TV, channel 9, is an independent television station in Los Angeles, California, USA, owned by the CBS Corporation. KCAL-TV shares its studio facilities with KCBS-TV inside CBS Studio Center in the Studio City section of Los Angeles, and its transmitter is located atop Mount Wilson.-Digital...
's 9 on the Town, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.