Brian Setzer

Born: 1959-04-10

Brian Robert Setzer (born April 10, 1959) is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He found widespread success in the early 1980s with the 1950s-style rockabilly group Stray Cats, and returned to the music scene in the early 1990s with his swing revival band, the Brian Setzer Orchestra. In 1987, he made a cameo appearance as Eddie Cochran in the film La Bamba. Setzer was born April 1959 in Massapequa, New York. He started on the euphonium and played in jazz bands when he was in school. He found a way to hear jazz at the Village Vanguard, though as he got older he became more interested in rock, punk, and rockabilly. He was a member of the Bloodless Pharaohs and the Tomcats, which he began with his brother, Gary. The Tomcats became the Stray Cats when double bassist Lee Rocker and drummer Slim Jim Phantom joined and Gary left the band. In 1980, thinking they might have more success in England than in America, they sold their instruments to pay for airplane tickets and flew to London. After performing in London for a few months, they met Dave Edmunds, a guitarist and record producer who shared their love of rockabilly and 1950s' rock and roll. Edmunds produced their debut album, Stray Cats (Arista, 1981), which yielded two hit singles, "Stray Cat Strut" and "Rock This Town". The second album, Gonna Ball (Arista, 1982), was less successful. The band returned to America and released Built for Speed (EMI, 1982), produced again by Dave Edmunds, with songs collected from their first two albums. Helped by their music videos on MTV, the Stray Cats became popular in America. Their next album, Rant n' Rave with the Stray Cats (EMI, 1983) produced the hit "(She's) Sexy + 17". The Stray Cats disbanded in 1984, though they occasionally reunited, recorded, and toured. After recording three albums with different producers, they returned to Dave Edmunds for Choo Choo Hot Fish (1992). After the Stray Cats disbanded in 1984, Setzer began a solo career that included working as a sideman for other acts, such as the Honeydrippers led by Robert Plant. On his first solo album, The Knife Feels Like Justice (EMI, 1986), he turned away from rockabilly and moved toward rhythm and blues (R&B) and the heartland rock of John Mellencamp. The album was produced by Don Gehman and featured Kenny Aronoff on drums. Both men had worked on albums by Mellencamp. His second studio album Live Nude Guitars followed in 1988. While this album retained some heartland rock elements, it found Setzer moving in more of a straight-ahead blues rock direction, comparable to George Thorogood's style; Setzer served as co-producer along with Larson Paine, Chris Thomas and David A. Stewart. He went on tour with Thorogood later that year. ... Source: Article "Brian Setzer" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.


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La Bamba

as Eddie Cochran
Released: 1987-07-24

Los Angeles teenager Ritchie Valens becomes an overnight rock 'n' roll success in 1958, thanks...

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The Great White Hype

as Self
Released: 1996-05-03

When the champ's promoter, Rev. Sultan, decides something new is needed to boost the...

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The Country Bears

as Self
Released: 2002-07-26

For Beary Barrington, The Country Bears' young #1 fan, fitting in with his all-too-human family...

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The Everly Brothers: Songs of Innocence and Experience

as Self
Released: 1984-11-02

The Everly Brothers were among the most successful and revered of all the giants of early rock...

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Guitar

as Self
Released: 1991-01-01

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Stray Cats: Rumble in Brixton

as Self - Vocals, Guitar
Released: 2004-11-09

After taking off 12 years, the Stray Cats are back with the outstanding Rumble in Brixton, a...

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The Brian Setzer Orchestra: Christmas Extravaganza

as Self
Released: 2005-01-01

Filmed December 18, 2004 at L.A's sold-out Universal Amphitheatre, its is easily the best video...

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The Brian Setzer Orchestra: One Rockin' Night - Live In Montreal

as Self
Released: 1995-06-30

ONE ROCKIN' NIGHT: LIVE IN MONTREAL captures a live performance by the Brian Setzer Orchestra at...

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Stray Cats: Live at Montreux 1981

as Self
Released: 2012-11-06

When the Stray Cats rolled into Montreux in July of 1981 they were one of the hottest properties...

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The Brian Setzer Orchestra: Live in Japan

as Self - Vocal
Released: 2002-02-19

Rock and Roll's ultimate revivalist, Brian Setzer takes his swinging big band to Japan for this...

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The Brian Setzer Orchestra: Christmas Rocks! Live

as Self - Vocals, Guitar
Released: 2018-11-09

Iconic guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and three-time Grammy award winner Brian Setzer and his...

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VH1 Classic Holiday Classics

as Self
Released: 2004-12-25

Special presentation of holiday classics from the VH1 Classic Studio.

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Brian Setzer's Rockabilly Riot: Osaka Rocka! - Live in Japan

as Self
Released: 2016-11-04

Three-time Grammy-award-winner BRIAN SETZER's new concert Blu-ray/CD, ROCKABILLY RIOT: OSAKA...

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The Brian Setzer Orchestra - It's Gonna Rock... 'Cause That's What I Do

as Self - Vocals, Guitar
Released: 2010-06-23

On June 25, 2010, The Brian Setzer Orchestra headlined the opening of the Montreal Jazz...

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The Simpsons

as Brian Setzer (voice)
First aired: 1989-12-17

Set in Springfield, the average American town, the show focuses on the antics and everyday...

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MTV Video Music Awards

as Self
First aired: 1984-09-14

An annual award ceremony presented by MTV to honor the best in the music video medium.

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The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

as Self
First aired: 1992-05-25

Jay Leno hosts some of the biggest celebrities in the world.

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