Brian Setzer

Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Brian Setzer was born on April 10, 1959 in New York City. He was raised in Massapequa, Long Island and studied the tuba-like instrument the euphonium as a kid. Brian played the baritone horn in grade school and often traveled to New York City to visit local jazz clubs in his teen years. In 1979 Setzer, drummer Jimmy McDonnell (a.k.a. Slim Jim Phantom), and upright double bass player Lee Rocker formed the rockabilly trio the Stray Cats. The Stray Cats headed to London in 1980 after hearing of the Rockabilly scene in the UK. After several months of gigging in London, word spread about the band and they were signed by Arista. Their first single "Runaway Boys" hit the UK charts in November 1980 and was followed by "Rock This Town" in 1981. In 1982 the band released their first US Album "Built for Speed" that reached the number 2 spot on the US album charts. A further album was released in 1983 before the band broke up in 1984. Brian was the lead guitarist