Stray Cats Sad News
Stray Cats frontman Brian Setzer, 65, has revealed that he has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. In a statement shared on his official Instagram account Friday, the guitarist and Stray Cat Strut singer recounted experiencing hand cramps toward the end of the band’s last tour. “I’ve since discovered that I have an autoimmune disease,” he wrote.
Setzer explained that the condition is currently affecting his ability to perform with the Stray Cats, the rockabilly band he co-founded more than 40 years ago.
View this post on Instagram
“I just wanted to check in with you all. Towards the end of the last Stray Cats tour I noticed that my hands were cramping up. I’ve since discovered that I have an auto-immune disease. I cannot play guitar. There is no pain, but it feels like I am wearing a pair of gloves when I try to play.”
“I have seen some progress in that I can hold a pen and tie my shoes. I know this sounds ridiculous, but I was at a point where I couldn’t even do that. Luckily, I have the best hospital in the world down the block from me. It’s called the Mayo Clinic. I know I will beat this, it will just take some time. I love you all, Brian”
Brian Setzer, born on April 10, 1959, in Massapequa, New York, is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is best known as the frontman of the Stray Cats and the leader of the Brian Setzer Orchestra. A pivotal figure in the rockabilly revival of the 1980s, Setzer’s distinctive style blends rock ‘n’ roll, blues, and big band swing.
View this post on Instagram
Setzer formed the Stray Cats in 1979 alongside bassist Lee Rocker and drummer Slim Jim Phantom. The trio relocated to England, where their retro sound found a receptive audience. Their breakthrough came in 1981 with hits like Rock This Town and Stray Cat Strut, which became defining anthems of the neo-rockabilly movement.
After the Stray Cats disbanded in the mid-1980s, Setzer pursued a solo career. In 1992, he formed the Brian Setzer Orchestra, combining rockabilly with a full big band sound. The group’s 1998 album The Dirty Boogie featured a cover of Jump, Jive an’ Wail, which won a Grammy.
Over the years, Setzer has continued to release solo albums, reunite with the Stray Cats for occasional tours, and earn multiple Grammy Awards. His signature guitar sound and electrifying stage presence remain hallmarks of his career.
