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| Brian Setzer | |
|---|---|
| Name | Brian Setzer |
| Birth name | Brian Robert Setzer |
| Birth date | 1959-04-10 |
| Birth place | Massapequa, New York, United States |
| Genres | Rockabilly; Rock; Punk rock; Swing |
| Occupations | Musician; songwriter; record producer |
| Instruments | Guitar; vocals |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Labels | Capitol Records; Hollywood Records; Surfdog Records |
| Associated acts | The Stray Cats; The Brian Setzer Orchestra; Naughty Jim; The Tomcats |
Brian Setzer is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter known for reviving rockabilly and introducing big‑band swing arrangements to mainstream audiences. He achieved prominence in the 1980s with a trio that fused rockabilly with punk rock, later leading a large ensemble that reimagined standards and original compositions for contemporary audiences. Setzer's career spans decades of recording, touring, production, and influence across genres including rock music, country music, and jazz.
Setzer was born in Massapequa, New York and raised on Long Island during the 1960s and 1970s amid influences from Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, and Chet Atkins. He attended local schools on Long Island and developed early proficiency on the electric guitar inspired by recordings from Sun Records, Chess Records, and sessions featuring Scotty Moore. As a teenager he played in regional bands and absorbed contemporary sounds from acts such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Clash, while frequenting venues in New York City and nearby scenes that included CBGB and Max's Kansas City.
Setzer's professional career began in the late 1970s with roots in punk rock and rockabilly scenes. He formed and performed with groups such as The Tomcats and Naughty Jim, moving to London for a period before returning to the United States to form a trio that would become widely successful. Over the years he has recorded solo albums, produced records for other artists, and led ensembles that bridged rockabilly authenticity with contemporary production—working with labels including Capitol Records, Hollywood Records, and Surfdog Records. Setzer has also composed for film and television, contributed to soundtracks alongside composers such as Hans Zimmer and performers like Brian May, and appeared at major festivals including Glastonbury Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, and Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
In 1979 Setzer co-founded The Stray Cats with bassist Lee Rocker and drummer Slim Jim Phantom; the trio relocated to London where the British rock and new wave scene embraced their retro sound. The Stray Cats released hit singles such as "Rock This Town" and "Stray Cat Strut" that charted on the UK Singles Chart and the Billboard Hot 100, aided by appearances on programs like Top of the Pops and American Bandstand. The band's success brought renewed attention to rockabilly performers like Wanda Jackson, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, and Jerry Lee Lewis, and led to international tours, television appearances, and festival headlining slots. Lineup changes and hiatuses occurred as members pursued solo projects and collaborations with artists including Brian Setzer Orchestra members and session musicians from Nashville and Los Angeles.
In the mid‑1990s Setzer formed The Brian Setzer Orchestra, a big band that adapted classic swing, jump blues, and original songs into arrangements for a contemporary audience. The orchestra's recordings and holiday albums produced charting singles and television specials; notably, a rendition of "Jump, Jive an' Wail" won a Grammy Award and contributed to the 1990s swing revival alongside acts like Cherry Poppin' Daddies, Squirrel Nut Zippers, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. The ensemble toured extensively across North America, Europe, and Japan, performing at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and arenas shared with artists like Tommy Emmanuel and Seth MacFarlane (who also performs swing). Setzer's orchestra blended arrangements reminiscent of Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Louis Prima, and Glen Miller with the guitarist's rockabilly phrasing.
Setzer's guitar work and songwriting synthesize influences from pioneers like Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Gene Vincent, Bo Diddley, and Scotty Moore with later rock innovators such as Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones. His signature Gretsch hollow‑body sound channels luthiers like C.F. Martin and instrument makers such as Gretsch Guitars and pickups used by Les Paul and Chet Atkins. Stylistically he merges rockabilly staccato rhythms, swing horn charts, and punk rock energy, drawing compositional inspiration from songwriters like Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Dale Hawkins, and arrangers in the big band era such as Oliver Nelson. Critics compare his stagecraft to performers including Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and contemporary revivalists like Elvis Costello.
Throughout his career Setzer has collaborated with a wide range of musicians and institutions: studio sessions and live appearances with Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Brian May, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Aimee Mann, Ringo Starr, and members of The Who. He recorded tribute and benefit projects alongside orchestras and ensembles such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic and guest‑featured on albums by Rosanne Cash and Joan Jett. Side projects include reunions with The Stray Cats, instrumental albums, and soundtrack contributions for films associated with directors like Tim Burton and producers linked to Warner Bros. Pictures. Setzer has produced records for artists in Nashville and collaborated with vintage instrument makers and media properties including Gretsch, Gibson, and holiday specials for PBS and network television.
Setzer has resided in Los Angeles and maintained ties to Nashville and New York City, engaging with music education programs and preservation efforts for early rock and American roots music. Honors include multiple Grammy Awards, awards from industry bodies such as the Americana Music Association and recognition from publications including Rolling Stone and Guitar Player. He has been featured in exhibits and tributes at institutions like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and arts festivals celebrating rockabilly and swing traditions. Categories: Category:American guitarists; Category:Rockabilly musicians; Category:Grammy Award winners.