Guitarist Nita Strauss and her husband and manager Josh Villalta have welcomed their first child together.
The couple announced the arrival of their son, Maxwell James, who was born on Thursday, May 28, at 8:00 p.m. local time. According to People, Maxwell weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces and measured 20 inches long at birth.
Sharing the news with fans on Wednesday (June 3), Strauss posted a series of family photos featuring the proud parents and their newborn son. Alongside the images, she wrote: “Welcome to the world, Maxwell James. He came into this world surrounded by so much love and he’ll be loved even more with every passing day. Max is already so special and we truly believe he’s destined for greatness. With a little bit of both of us in him, whatever path he chooses, he’ll make his mark on the world and be a force to be reckoned with. We can’t wait to watch him grow into the man he’s meant to become, but for now we will cherish every moment along the way.
“We’re excited for every phase of this new chapter, from right now as we’re learning to care for a newborn to bringing our son along for the ride on tour when the time comes! It’s going to be amazing, chaotic, and exciting and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
“May you always live your life to the MAX, little man”.
The birth marks another major milestone for Strauss and Villalta, who married in May 2024 at The Hollywood Roosevelt hotel in Los Angeles, California. The ceremony drew a number of notable guests from the rock and entertainment worlds, including Alice Cooper, Chuck Garric, David Draiman, Sarah Uli, John Moyer, Brandi Moyer, Demi Lovato, Jordan “Jutes” Lutes, celebrity chef Chris Santos and actress Natalie Makenna.
The couple’s engagement took place on July 6, 2023, when Villalta proposed during the record-release party celebrating Strauss‘s latest solo album, The Call Of The Void, in West Hollywood, California.
Their relationship dates back much further, however. Strauss and Villalta first met in 2011 in the driveway of the Rainbow Bar & Grill in West Hollywood after being introduced by Yamaha marketing manager Mike Taft. More than a decade later, the pair have now begun a new chapter together as parents with the arrival of baby Maxwell.
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