Frontman Brian Setzer of the Stray Cats has disclosed that he has an autoimmune illness that prevents him from playing the guitar.
Using Instagram on Thursday, February 13, he posted to his admirers, “I know I will beat this, it will just take some time.”
The 65-year-old Setzer told fans that he had discovered he was having trouble with the guitar on his most recent Stray Cats tour in 2024, but that once he was off the road, the issue only became worse.
He remembered, “I noticed that my hands were cramping up towards the end of the last Stray Cats tour.” Since then, I’ve learned that I suffer from an autoimmune condition. I’m not a guitar player. When I try to play, it seems like I’m wearing gloves even though there isn’t any pain.
The performer revealed that he had received therapy at the renowned Mayo Clinic and was now feeling optimistic about his chances of returning to the stage.
He wrote, “I can tie my shoes and hold a pen, so I have made some progress.” “I realize this seems absurd, but there came a time when I was unable to even accomplish that. Fortunately, the world’s greatest hospital is located right next door.
Among the many friends and admirers who sent well wishes to Setzer was legendary guitarist Steve Vai, who said on Instagram: “Brother Brian, you are a soldier! We all want you to fully recover to your best health, so take your time. You are on the mend. I adore you very much.
Beginning in the 1980s, when his band the Stray Cats achieved two Billboard Top Ten successes with “Rock This Town” and “Stray Cat Strut” in 1981, Setzer played a significant role in a number of swing music revivals.
Later, he joined up with Robert Plant, a former frontman for Led Zeppelin, to establish the rockabilly group The Honeydrippers. They made a memorable appearance on Saturday Night Live’s 1984 Christmas special and achieved a platinum-selling album, The Honeydrippers: Volume One, which peaked at number five on the Billboard charts.
With his Brian Setzer Orchestra, the guitarist spearheaded another swing renaissance almost twenty years later. The big band-style orchestra’s rendition of the 1956 jazz song “Jump Jive An’ Wail” earned them a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
Setzer played guitar on two of the 2014 album’s tracks and executive produced Drake Bell’s rockabilly album Ready Steady Go! in more recent years. Billy Joel’s “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me,” The Kinks’ “Sunny Afternoon,” and Setzer’s 1980 breakthrough song “Runaway Boys” were all covered in a rockabilly fashion on Ready Steady Go!
Since Bell had always admired the Stray Cats singer, he approached Setzer about recording Ready Steady Go!, he told Guitar World in 2014.
Bell remarked, “I’ve been a fan of Brian’s for a very long time and have had the chance to go backstage and meet him occasionally.” “I started to become a known face backstage at that point. I can still clearly recall the moment I gave him the concept for this record.
“Wait a minute—you mean you want to make a rockabilly record?” he asked, initially perplexed. [laughs]. “Yes, this is what I’ve always wanted to do,” I replied.
The Devil Always Collects, Setzer’s most recent solo album, came out in 2023.
The perseverance of Brian Setzer is incredibly admirable! Fans are anxiously awaiting his comeback to the stage as he fights his autoimmune disease. Follow his progress and listen to his timeless songs. Visit our website to stay up to speed on the most recent information on your favorite performers!
