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Brian Robert Setzer (born April 10, 1959) is an Amer- version of 's ensemble band, The Honeydrip- ican guitarist, singer and . He first found pers. widespread success in the early 1980s with the 1950s- style revival group , and revitalized his career in the late 1990s with his band, The Brian Setzer Orchestra.

1 Biography

1.1 Career

Setzer was born in Massapequa, New York. Beginning in January 1979, he fronted the rockabilly band The Tom- cats before transforming them into the later successful Stray Cats. Setzer performing in 2004 After performing locally from New York to Philadelphia under various band names with no real success, singer and In the summer of 1986, Setzer released his first solo al- lead guitarist Setzer, drummer (born bum, The Knife Feels Like Justice, which marked a huge James McDonnell) and (born Leon move away from his trademark sound and towards a more Drucker) decided in June 1980 to go to London, England mainstream 'rock-roots’ sound, which was popularized at where they believed people would better appreciate their the time by such other artists such as John Cougar Mellen- sound and style.[1] camp and . The was given little To obtain the money for their plane tickets, Setzer, promotion by his label and as a result it only found mi- Rocker and Phantom went to Sam Ash Music on 48th nor success, peaking at only number 45 on the Billboard Street to sell their instruments and gear to the store, for US album charts. The album has become a cult favorite enough money for three one-way plane tickets. Upon among those who understood the message Setzer was their arrival, they decided to call themselves “Stray Cats”, trying to attempt, such as the world’s nuclear prolifera- a name suggested by Rocker because of their status as tion, the immigration issue, the understanding of religion 'strays’. After performing for only a few months they and the 'working man’s ’, such as unemployment, drew the attention of the British Dave loneliness, etc. In 1988 His second solo album “Live Edmunds, and released a series of successful singles in the Nude ” was a cross between his first solo ven- UK, which countered the already-entrenched punk scene ture and Stray Cats Recordings and once again became in London. a cult favourite included on many critics top ten lists for the year. After releasing several singles and two in England, the Stray Cats finally caught America’s attention with the In 1987, Setzer played the part of in the 1982 album Built for Speed, which included the two Top biographical film on the life of Ritchie Valens, La Bamba. Ten hits, "" (#9) and "" In the mid-1990s Setzer once again resurrected an older (#3). This album was basically a re-release of many of the form of youth-oriented music, swing and jump blues mu- songs from the two previous albums, the self-titled Stray sic, when he formed The Brian Setzer Orchestra, an am- Cats and , which have never been released in bitious 17-piece ensemble project, which released four America. Their follow-up 1983 album Rant 'N Rave with studio albums, a Christmas disc and several live releases the Stray Cats included the two successful singles: "(She’s) between 1994 and 2002. His group’s biggest success (and Sexy + 17” (#5), and “I Won't Stand In Your Way” (#35). Setzer’s outside the Stray Cats) came in 1998 with the re- After only four years, the Stray Cats separated in 1984, lease of the album which cracked the but reunited briefly to record albums and mount tours sev- top ten on the US album charts and featured a hit single, eral times all the way through the early 1990s. From 1985 a cover of 's "Jump, Jive an' Wail". to early 1986, Setzer was the lead guitarist for the touring Setzer continued to release solo-billed albums sporadi-

1 2 1 BIOGRAPHY

Brian Setzer playing with his orchestra on June 29, 2006 in the East Room of the George W Bush White House during the en- Johan Frandsen, frontman from Swedish band tertainment following the official dinner in honor of Japanese and Brian Setzer on stage at the Ice Hall, Finland, July Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s visit to the . 2011 as part of the European leg of the Brian Setzer Rockabilly Riot 2011 cally, including a solo live disc Rockin' By Myself in 1998. In 2001 he released an album titled Ignition with his new tour was in , Denmark, , Sweden trio billed as the '68 Comeback Special. In 2003 he re- and Helsinki, Finland ending at the Helsinki Ice Hall. leased Nitro Burnin' Funny Daddy.A tribute album titled Rockabilly Riot Vol. 1: A Tribute To was re- Further gigs were held at the Brixton Academy, London leased on July 26, 2005, in the United States. An album and in Dublin, Ireland. The tour is planned to continue simply titled 13 was released in October 2006. into Japan in September 2011. On September 25, 2007, the Brian Setzer Orchestra re- The Brian Setzer Rockabilly Riot Tour! featured a spe- leased Wolfgang’s Big Night Out which features Setzer’s cial set with Slim Jim Phantom, and was supported on take on classical pieces, such as Beethoven’s "Symphony the major shows by the cult Swedish punk The No. 5" and "Für Elise". Wolfgang earned Setzer his Knockouts in Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Finland. eighth Grammy nomination, this time for Best Classical Setzer also produced 's 2014 album, the Crossover album of the year. rockabilly-inspired Ready Steady Go! under Surfdog [4][5] On October 13, 2009, the Brian Setzer Orchestra released Records, which was released on April 22. He also a new album titled Songs From Lonely Avenue. For the played on two of the songs, “I Won't Stand In Your [5] first time in Setzer’s career, he was the sole writer on every Way” and “Bitchcraft”. song. Frank Comstock, the 87-year-old big band arranger whom Setzer collaborated with on Wolfgang’s Big Night Out, orchestrated most of the horn parts for the album. 1.3 Honors

On December 14, 2009, Setzer was unable to complete Setzer was awarded the Orville H. Lifetime a performance in Albuquerque, New , and was Achievement Award at the 1999 Gibson Awards. As of briefly hospitalized because of “dehydration, high altitude 1999, the previous recipients of this award were B. B. [2] sickness and vertigo,” After Colorado Springs, Albu- King, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill and . querque has the second highest elevation of any Ameri- can city of more than 100,000 people and many visitors Since 2000, Setzer has earned three Grammy Awards: experience oxygen debt and require ER treatment. Best Pop Performance Duo/Group for “Jump Jive An' Wail”, and two Best Pop Performance awards for ""[6] and "Caravan".[7] In Decem- 1.2 Recent activity ber 2006 he received his seventh Grammy nomination for his version of "My Favorite Things", again in the Best Pop In 2011, Setzer toured extensively throughout Europe. Instrumental Performance category. The premiere night of The Brian Setzer Rockabilly Riot! On November 29, 2015 Setzer was inducted into the Europe Tour 2011 was at the 10 year celebration of the Long Island Music Hall of Fame. Azkena Rock Festival[3] on the June 25, Vitoria Gasteiz, Spain to crowds of over 50,000 people. The tour then went onto dates in Zurich, Switzerland; 1.4 Personal life Luxembourg City, Luxembourg; Weert and Amsterdam in the Netherlands; Berlin, and Cologne in Ger- Setzer has been married three times, most recently in many; and Peer in Belgium. The Scandinavia leg of the 2005 to Julie Reiten, a former singer with the Dustbun- 2.4 The Brian Setzer Orchestra 3 nies. Setzer and Reiten reside in Minneapolis.[8] • The Best of the Stray Cats: Rock This Town (1990) • Choo Choo Hot Fish (1992) 2 Discography • Original Cool (1993) • Rumble in Brixton (2004) 2.1 Bloodless Pharaohs

• Marty Thau Presents 2 × 5 (1980) 2.4 The Brian Setzer Orchestra • Brian Setzer and the Bloodless Pharaohs (1996, Col- Main article: The Brian Setzer Orchestra lectables 687)[9]

• 2.2 Brian Setzer & The Tomcats The Brian Setzer Orchestra (1994) No. 158 US • Guitar Slinger (1996) Main article: The Tomcats • The Dirty Boogie (1998) No. 9 US A series of live recordings were issued in 1997 by • Vavoom! (2000) No. 62 US Collectables Records, and removed from sale within a year under threat of legal action.[10] • Jumpin' East of Java (2001) • (2002) • Rock This Town (Recorded Live on March 29, 1980) (Collectables 701) • (2002) • • High School Confidential (Recorded Live on May The Ultimate Collection (2004) 24, 1980) (Collectables 702) • (2005) • Stray Cat Strut (Recorded Live on May 24, 1980) • Wolfgang’s Big Night Out (September 2007) (Collectables 703) • The Best Of Collection - Christmas Rocks! (October • Rip It Up! (Recorded Live on May 30, 1980) (Col- 2008) lectables 704) • Ultimate Christmas Collection (October 2008) • All Shook Up (Recorded Live on May 30, 1980) (Collectables 705) • Songs from Lonely Avenue (October 2009)

• Shake Rattle & Roll (Recorded Live on May 31, • Don't Mess With A Big Band (Live!) (July 2010) 1980) (Collectables 706) • Christmas Comes Alive (October 2010) • Rockabilly Boogie (Recorded Live on October 10, • Rockin’ Rudolph (October 2015) 1980) (Collectables 707)

2.5 Solo material 2.3 Stray Cats • The Knife Feels Like Justice (1986) No. 45 US Main article: Stray Cats • Live Nude Guitars (1988) No. 140 US • Rockin' By Myself (October 27, 1993) • Stray Cats (1981) • Nitro Burnin' Funny Daddy (2003) • Gonna Ball (1981) • Rockabilly Riot Vol. 1: A Tribute To Sun Records • Built For Speed (1982) No. 2 (15 weeks) US (2005) • Rant N' Rave with the Stray Cats (1983) No. 14 US • 13 (2006) No. 2 JAP • Rock Therapy (1986) No. 122 US • Red Hot & Live (2007) • Blast Off! (1989) No. 111 US • Setzer Goes Instru-Mental! (2011) • Let’s Go Faster! (1990) • Rockabilly Riot! All Original (2014) 4 7 REFERENCES

2.6 '68 Comeback Special • Appeared with the Brian Setzer Orchestra on an episode of The Nanny The Bobbi Flekman Story • Ignition (2001) No. 152 US (1997) • Setzer spoofed himself in a 2002 episode of popular animated series The Simpsons. He voiced himself 3 Filmography as a “tutor” at a fictional Rock 'n Roll Fantasy Camp attended by Homer Simpson, and said (after his an- • La Bamba (1987) imated version participated in chasing Homer in a • Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme (1990) motorized devil’s head): “I hope you won't judge the entire Brian Setzer Orchestra based on my actions.” • The Great White Hype, as himself, performing a • Appeared in The Country Bears Movie doing a mu- rousing rendition of Danny Boy (1996) sic duel with one of the bears. • The Nanny -"The Bobbi Flekman Story'" (1997), as • Executively produced Drake Bell's Ready Steady himself Go! album and played on “I Won't • The Country Bears (2002), along with the '68 Come- Stand In Your Way” and “Bitchcraft”. back Special • The Simpsons -"How I Spent My Strummer Vaca- 6 Musical equipment tion" (2002) Brian Setzer has a very large guitar collection span- ning many decades and brands. Setzer favours vintage 4 Live DVDs equipment[11] and hollow body guitars,[12] and currently endorses guitars.[13] • Brian Setzer Orchestra live In Japan (2001) • Rumble In Brixton (2004) 7 References • Brian Setzer Orchestra Live: Christmas Extravaganza (2005) [1] “The Stray Cats”. eNotes.com. Retrieved 2012-04-24. • One Rockin' Night ('95) (2007) [2] “Albuquerque Journal”. ABQjournal.com. Retrieved 2010-03-16. • Live In Montreal Festival ( 2010) [3] Óscar Cubillo, El Correo ,"Los cabezas de cartel roquero Brian Setzer”, June 28, 2011 5 Other works and appearances [4] Lipshultz, Jason (28 February 2014). “Drake Bell Talks 'Ready Steady Go!' Album: Exclusive Behind-The- Scenes Video”. Billboard.com. Billboard. Archived from • Performed the guitar solo on the song the original on 1 September 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2015. Be Chrool to Your Scuel in 1986. [5] Wood, James. “Actor/Musician Drake Bell Discusses • Played guitar on the song I Can't Be Satisfied in the 'Ready Steady Go!,' His New Album with Brian Setzer”. album Muddy Water Blues: A Tribute GuitarWorld.com. Archived from the original on 6 Octo- to Muddy Waters(1993). ber 2014. • Played guitar on Gary Hoey’s “Bug Alley” (1996) [6] Brian Setzer earns Grammy, The Gretsch Blog • Played guitar on the song Crime Don't Pay in the [7] The Grammy Awards Past Winners album Cheating at Solitaire (1999). [8] StarTribune article about life in Minneapolis • Composed and performed the theme song for the [9] “Brian Setzer”. Rocky-52.net. 2009-10-13. Retrieved Disney cartoon show House Of Mouse. 2010-06-09. [10] Stray Cats Collectors • Appeared in a Bud Light commercial where his re- hearsal session was interrupted by an elderly woman [11] Archived February 7, 2009 at the Wayback Machine (recording pioneer Cordell Jackson) who could play [12] “Brian Setzer: Effects Pedals at Musicroom.com - Video rock-and-roll guitar. Lessons”. Musicroom.com. Retrieved 2010-03-16. • Setzer also performed on 's album [13] “Gretsch Guitars and Basses”. Gretschguitars.com. Soul Sessions, on the tracks Back Streets of Tokyo and Archived from the original on January 2, 2010. Retrieved Take a Chance on Love. 2010-03-16. 5

8 External links

• Official Brian Setzer web site

• Official Stray Cats web site • Brian Setzer at the Internet Movie Database 6 9 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

9 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

9.1 Text

• Brian Setzer Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Setzer?oldid=702581716 Contributors: JeLuF, Deb, Jazz77, Infrogmation, JohnOwens, Sannse, Jgm, Bearcat, Chowbok, Semprini, Jokestress, Neutrality, Klemen Kocjancic, Chrisbolt, D6, Rich Farmbrough, Ben- der235, Violetriga, Jfraser, Andrew Gray, ASK~enwiki, BDD, Japanese Searobin, Maxaroth, Chochopk, Tabletop, Graham87, BD2412, Kbdank71, Dave Cohoe, Dartman, Irregulargalaxies, YurikBot, Kolcun, RussBot, Thane, Welsh, Sobreiro, Zwobot, Nethgirb, Mysid, Blow- dart, Groink, Jkelly, Extreme Unction, Crystallina, SmackBot, Bjelleklang, KittenKlub, Kintetsubuffalo, Bluebot, Scarletsmith, Fuhghet- taboutit, Derek R Bullamore, Salamurai, TenPoundHammer, Bydand, Happygrouch, Underdog000, STL Dilettante, E-Kartoffel, Mr- Dolomite, Jimmyeightysix, Eeyore tim, Davemackey, Courcelles, Anger22, Cydebot, Fair Deal, Gogo Dodo, Lugnuts, UnhandledEx- ception, Parsa, Mr. Brain, The Big L, AntiVandalBot, 17Drew, Jhsounds, Postcard Cathy, Waacstats, JohnnyChicago, Gerry D, Mar- tinBot, LurkingInChicago, CommonsDelinker, Dewelar, Oleimbach, Ginsengbomb, Mind meal, Bluesquareapple, Nick Graves, Jlr497, Elsquared, Ed55, GrahamHardy, Nizzi~enwiki, TXiKiBoT, Cosmic Latte, Walor, Nrswanson, Hawkinsbiz, Froggy33, Norwalkctguy, SieBot, StAnselm, TrashyToyMusic, Ttonyb1, Mojobonbon, Karaboom, Tomwhite56, Mr.Z-bot, Monegasque, Android Mouse Bot 3, Ipsherman, Zengakuren, Sdanita, Michael.Urban, Armymp0165, Surfdogrecords, Marcoscm, Natt the Hatt, Steelforce, Really Green, Camerajohn, MDHARRIS980, Jax 0677, SlayerXT, WikHead, Marchije, Addbot, Darena mipt, Jaydec, Roadrunner77, SigKauffman, Lightbot, Maip23, Luckas-bot, Yobot, Gobbleswoggler, Roger Workman, AnomieBOT, Ikespirit, Madmonkey59, Daan75, Materialscien- tist, Nparrish, J04n, GorgeCustersSabre, Vlastimil Svoboda, FrescoBot, Hyju, LucienBOT, Lady Lotus, Peter Dzubay, LittleWink, Tinton5, Pekaxmon, Danucalov, Discographer, MrX, Tbhotch, RjwilmsiBot, StephenTitusG, Bill S in AZ, John of Reading, WikitanvirBot, Tro- fobi, GoingBatty, Y.papathanasiou, Stiegj54, H3llBot, Clauzatarra, ClueBot NG, Kayfrimanders, Widr, BG19bot, Roberticus, Kendall-K1, Rockerdude101, Sendu1984, Cyberbot II, AK456, Kanrig, VIAFbot, Hillbillyholiday, Hollywoodslim, AKS.9955, Joseph Prasad, Rider ranger47, Scotthinds1, KasparBot, Lynnpolizzi and Anonymous: 167

9.2 Images

• File:Ambox_current_red.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/98/Ambox_current_red.svg License: CC0 Contributors: self-made, inspired by Gnome globe current event.svg, using Information icon3.svg and Earth clip art.svg Original artist: Vipersnake151, penubag, Tkgd2007 (clock) • File:Ambox_important.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/Ambox_important.svg License: Public do- main Contributors: Own work, based off of Image:Ambox scales.svg Original artist: Dsmurat (talk · contribs) • File:Brian_Salzburg_2006.JPG Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7d/Brian_Salzburg_2006.JPG License: CC BY 3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: Marcos C. • File:Brian_Setzer_-_live_in_gijon.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Brian_Setzer_-_live_in_gijon. jpg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ? • File:Brian_Setzer_performs_with_his_orchestra_in_the_East_Room_of_the_White_House.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia. org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Brian_Setzer_performs_with_his_orchestra_in_the_East_Room_of_the_White_House.jpg License: Pub- lic domain Contributors: whitehouse.gov, Guitarist-singer Brian Setzer plays with his orchestra Original artist: White House photo by Eric Draper • File:Folder_Hexagonal_Icon.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/48/Folder_Hexagonal_Icon.svg License: Cc-by- sa-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ? • File:Johan_Frandsen_&_Brian_Seter_2011.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/Johan_Frandsen_ %26_Brian_Seter_2011.jpg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Jbengage • File:Symbol_book_class2.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/Symbol_book_class2.svg License: CC BY-SA 2.5 Contributors: Mad by Lokal_Profil by combining: Original artist: Lokal_Profil • File:Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Text_document_ with_red_question_mark.svg License: Public domain Contributors: Created by bdesham with Inkscape; based upon Text-x-generic.svg from the Tango project. Original artist: Benjamin D. Esham (bdesham)

9.3 Content license

• Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0