Stray Cats cancels tour due to Brian Setzer’s ‘serious illness’
Brian Setzer was on tour with the band Stray Cats last year when he noticed the first signs of what was eventually diagnosed as an autoimmune disorder.
Now, it looks like the turmoil might keep Setzer out of the way.
The Stray Cats said Tuesday they would cancel their fall U.S. tour, as Setzer, 66, suffers from a “serious illness.” The announcement comes months after Setzer’s diagnosis, although it is not yet clear whether this is a separate health issue.
“I know this affects a lot of people and I am devastated that I had to deliver this news,” Setzer wrote Tuesday. X. “I’ve tried my best to keep doing these shows, but it’s just not possible.
“I’ve been so looking forward to being on stage with my bandmates again, and playing in front of all our amazing fans, and I’m beyond disappointed,” he said.
Stray cats Initially cancelled The first two stops in the fall, in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and Rockford, Illinois, before the entire tour was canceled on Tuesday. The band said refunds will be available at the point of purchase and has not announced any future tour dates.
Setzer first shared details about his non-specific autoimmune disease in February, and has continued to write Social media Although the disease was not painful, it left him unable to play the guitar.
“I feel like I’m wearing a pair of gloves when I try to play,” he wrote, adding that for a while the disease hampered his ability to accomplish everyday tasks like tying his shoes.
The artist said his condition was improving as he received care at the “best hospital in the world near me”, Mayo Clinic.
“I know I’m going to get through this, it’s just going to take some time,” he said. “I love you all.”
Stray Cats, formed by Setzer, Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom in 1979, disbanded and re-formed several times over the decades. In 2019, the founding trio reunited to release a 40th anniversary album, dubbed “40,” their first album in a quarter century.
On Friday, the band released their first release since then. The two singles, consisting of the original song “Stampede” and a cover of Eddie Cochran’s “Teenage Heaven”, were described on the band’s album. Website As “loud, upbeat and unmistakably Stray Cats.”
“Jim and I cut both songs in Minneapolis at Terrarium Studios,” Setzer said in a statement posted on the site. “‘Stampede’ was an instrument I wrote lyrics to. I basically transcribed the guitar part, which was way ahead of its time to begin with, and ‘Teenage Heaven’ is one of the few Eddie Cochran songs that hasn’t been covered to death.”
“‘Stampede’ has the drive and intensity that took me back to our first album,” Rucker said, “and ‘Teenage Heaven’ is a classic Eddie Cochran song that we put on [Stray] Cat magic.”
“The Cats are back and better than ever,” the guitarist said.
Times staff writer Alexandra del Rosario contributed to this report.