Stray Cats facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stray Cats
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Stray Cats in Japan, early 1990s
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Massapequa, New York, U.S. |
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| Years active |
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| Labels | Arista, EMI America, Capitol |
| Members | Brian Setzer Lee Rocker Slim Jim Phantom |
The Stray Cats are an American rockabilly band that started in 1979. The band was formed by guitarist and singer Brian Setzer, double bassist Lee Rocker, and drummer Slim Jim Phantom. They all came from Massapequa, New York, on Long Island.
Contents
The Start of the Band
How the Stray Cats Formed
The band loved the sounds of 1950s rock and roll, especially artists like Eddie Cochran, Carl Perkins, Gene Vincent, and Bill Haley & His Comets. They quickly became popular in New York City, playing at famous clubs like CBGB.
The Stray Cats heard that 1950s music was becoming popular again in England. So, they decided to move there. They helped kick off a new wave of rockabilly music by mixing the old 1950s sound with new punk rock energy.
The band used different names at first, like The Tomcats. But they always kept "Cats" in their name so fans would know it was them. Brian Setzer, Slim Jim Phantom, and Lee Rocker realized they lived in the same area and loved both punk and rockabilly music. Since 1983, they have been known only as "Stray Cats."
First Albums and Big Hits
In 1980, many record companies wanted to sign the Stray Cats. Soon, famous musicians from bands like The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin were coming to their shows. After a concert in London, they met musician and producer Dave Edmunds. He was a big fan of old-school rock music.
Dave Edmunds helped the band record their first album, Stray Cats, which came out in Britain in 1981. This album had three big hit songs: "Runaway Boys," "Rock This Town," and "Stray Cat Strut." They even played at the Montreux Jazz Festival!
Their second album in the UK, Gonna Ball, didn't have any hits. But their first two albums sold so well that a US record company, EMI America, decided to release a special album for America. This album, called Built for Speed, came out in 1982. It sold over a million copies and was a huge success in the US and Canada.
In 1983, the Stray Cats recorded their next album, Rant N' Rave with the Stray Cats. This album was recorded in both London and New York. Critics liked Rant N' Rave because it honored 1950s rock and roll legends like Gene Vincent and Bo Diddley.
Band Changes and Reunions
Why the Band Took Breaks
As the band became more famous, the members started wanting to do different things. Brian Setzer began working with other stars like Bob Dylan and Stevie Nicks. In late 1984, after a tour, the band decided to take a break.
Brian Setzer later said he felt restless and wanted to try new music. He felt it was "silly to break up the Stray Cats at the peak of our success" when he looked back years later.
What the Members Did Next
Brian Setzer started a solo career, exploring different kinds of American roots music. He formed a new band called Brian Setzer & the Radiation Ranch.
Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom formed a band called Phantom, Rocker & Slick. They even had famous musicians like Keith Richards from The Rolling Stones play on their album.
Getting Back Together
The Stray Cats reunited in 1986 to record an album called Rock Therapy. After another break, they got back together in 1989 for the album Blast Off! and went on tour with blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan. They released two more albums, Let's Go Faster (1990) and Choo Choo Hot Fish (1992), before taking another break.
In 2004, the Stray Cats toured Europe for a month. They released a live album from these concerts called Rumble in Brixton. In 2007, they toured the US with ZZ Top and the Pretenders. This was their first North American tour in over 15 years. They also toured Australia and New Zealand in 2008.
Recent Reunions and New Music
On January 2, 2018, Brian Setzer announced that the band would reunite for a show in Las Vegas. They also played two shows in California later that year.
In October 2018, the band announced they would record a new album, their first in 25 years, and go on tour to celebrate their 40th anniversary. The album, called 40, was released on May 24, 2019.
After their 40th Anniversary tour, the band released a live album in early 2020 called "Rocked This Town: From LA to London." It included songs recorded at different places during their tour.
Life After the Stray Cats
The Stray Cats have gotten back together many times to play live shows. Brian Setzer also leads his own swing-revival band, The Brian Setzer Orchestra, which became very popular in the 1990s.
Lee Rocker has continued to record and tour. He has played with many famous musicians like Carl Perkins, George Harrison, and Willie Nelson.
Slim Jim Phantom plays drums in several bands, including Slim Jim's Phantom Trio and Kat Men. He also helps the Love Hope Strength Foundation, a charity that raises money for cancer care.
The band was honored by being inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame on October 15, 2006.
Band Members
Current members
- Brian Setzer – lead vocals, guitar (1979–1984, 1986–1993, 2004–2009, 2018–present)
- Lee Rocker – double bass, acoustic guitar, vocals (1979–1984, 1986–1993, 2004–2009, 2018–present)
- Slim Jim Phantom – drums, backing vocals (1979–1984, 1986–1993, 2004–2009, 2018–present)
Discography
- Stray Cats (1981)
- Gonna Ball (1981)
- Rant n' Rave with the Stray Cats (1983)
- Rock Therapy (1986)
- Blast Off! (1989)
- Let's Go Faster! (1990)
- Choo Choo Hot Fish (1992)
- Original Cool (1993)
- 40 (2019)
Tours
- European Tour (1980)
- Stray Cats Tour (1981)
- Gonna Ball Tour (1982)
- Built for Speed Tour (1982–1983)
- Rant n' Rave Tour (1983–1984)
- Blast Off US-Tour (1988)
- Blast Off Tour (1989)
- Let's Go Faster Tour (1990)
- Murphy Tour (1991)
- Choo Choo Hot Fish Tour (1992)
- European Tour (2004)
- North American Tour (2007)
- Farewell Tour (2008–2009)
- 40th Anniversary Tour (2019)
Images for kids
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The band playing in Gijon
See also
In Spanish: Stray Cats para niños
