Brian's explanation of the blending of musical styles and genres, how it all relates to blues, how they all come out in his playing - just shows how his wide-ranging musicology and immense talent keeps wowing audiences around the world. Such a unique and wonderful player!
Man I remember when the Stray Cats came out on Mtv, blew me away and bought all their records, which I still own. Been a huge Brian Setzer fan ever since and own all of his music and DVDs, the man is a freakin LEGEND and HERO!!!
Yep. That's one for the books. Been an inspiration for me through my whole life. we grew up at the same time, in the same place doing the same thing. he did his thing, I did mine, and even way back then, we all knew, we were outclassed by a God given talent. Rock on Brian, rock on.
Was absolutely blown away by Brian's energetic, outgoing and skillful guitar playing when I saw him at the Montreal Jazz Festival. The big band behind him was just a bonus, man he could have played that show alone and still sounded absolutely amazing. Probably my biggest musical inspiration, made me pick up my guitar again and I haven't put it down since for years now!
what a blessing and great song Stray Cat Strut is. Hands down best Rockabilly song i've ever heard. Cannot believe Brian and the band created and made that song.
Practically all Stray Cat songs are solid, his work with the Honeydrippers excellent, with his big band extraordinary- seen them 5 or 6 times, never dull. What Brian does on Sleepwalk is mind blowing especially on the type of guitar he plays. Brian is absolutely within the top 10 greatest guitarist in the world.
I`m from Germany, and I love that sound. In the 80`s I was a fan of the Stray Cats and bought all the records. Now its 30 years ago and I`m happy that Brian makes music until now with his orchestra. Hope to see him in L.A. at end of October or at the beginning of November cause I will fly to L. A. at he 26 of Oct.. Love from Germany to Brian and his crew.
6:21 minutes? No need for that. Mr. Setzer is a gentleman and ONE OF THE MOST UNDERRATED GUITARISTS OUT THERE. I wish I had the 1.000.000th amount of talent he has.
Slightly wrong info, they were famous in England first and then America, 1982s built for speed was a mix of the 2 first albums they made in the UK. They were already well known in England and Europe before built for speed, this was the album that made them big in the USA..
One of the greatest guitar players - The moment I heard Runaway Boys in 1980 it sounded so different and frankly amazing, that I wanted to do this. Amazing, either with the Stray Cats or with the big band! He is Eddie Cochran rebuilt!
I'm from Long Island too. My dad's from Massapequa, only a couple years younger than Setzer. My first experience with rockabilly (with any type of music actually) started with The Beatles. I also played brass before I played the guitar, but I had to teach myself because my parents couldn't afford to get me lessons. Now I play Stray Cats songs like everyday on my cheap Fender Squier Strat, along with a lot of punk. I have to say, I sound pretty damn good.
i was in Germany in 1981 in the British Army and i first heard stray cat strut on the forces radio BFBS and i thought who's this, so i went to the NAAFI {PX} and brought their Album which was on Cassette so i could play it in my car.
I NEVER knew he and the other Stray Cats were American! I thought Brian just put on an American accent! When they became famous in the early ‘80s and I saw their videos on MTV, I thought they were so extreme looking in their ‘50s caricatures that they had to be British, overdoing it. And now I finally learn the truth 35+ years later.
Brian certainly did more than most on the transition from jazz to Rockabilly, HOWEVER I believe the True Transition was Alvin Lee... I Love them both Equally for their contributions to the transition to Rock Music!!!!
Cool cool cat!! Would love to sit down in my living room with him and just jam and shoot the breeze!!! And you can just tell that he would do it!! Decent and humble dude!!!
Brian Setzer had influenced a thousand bandS in the world...Great man, learn this man since 1980....I was ten!!!! Polecats, guanabatz, reverend Horton Heat, batmobile, restless, meteors, psychobilly scene, and many others rockabilly and néorockabilly .....Setzer orchestra was great in France at the Elysee Montmarte in Paris! this man' got the swing!
God I love this man. One time I was at my girlfriends house and a commercial for his Christmas concert came on and I just spazzed out and screamed "OH MY GOD BRAIN SETZER!". Her mom just looked at me with an odd expression and went "Who the hell is that?" It's sad that more people don't know or recognize this man for all he's done. Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll get to witness a second coming of a rockabilly revival at least somewhat close to what this legend caused in my life time.
I hope to spur that revival! I'm still learning rockabilly, but when my chops are solid and I get to putting my music out and touring, I'm gonna rock this town! I can play that song with my eyes closed now ;) put a video on facebook of me doing just that!
Too be fair there is a huge rockabilly and psychobilly scene all over the world. It hasnt really broken into the mainstream but it most definitely does not need a revival, because it's still thriving in the underground!
No mention of his earlier band with his brothers in Queens NY...The Bloodless Pharoahs . Or THE CRAMPS Criminal exemptions ! They did a fantastic Perry Mason Theme ! Among many kool originals.
WatchMojo, I'm glad you stated "Helped bring swing back" . He definitely brought Rockabilly back to the mainstream, but NOT Swing. Royal Crown Revue brought that back
Whoever wrote this script has no clue about Stray Cats. Most of the info given here is wrong! "Built For Speed" was a compilation album made up from their first three albums, and NOT their breakout release.
2:36 "Built For Speed" was a US release that combined the band's first two - successful - European albums, "The Stray Cats" and "Gonna Ball"', both of which were released in 1981. Research, who needs it? Right Watchmojo?
fred120364 In order to be a musician one has to work hard and if you really love it,you simply can't give up! The character, who never ever gives up is irrenouncable!
5:16 "I knew it was something musically that had not been done before - there had not been a guitar leading a Big Band." -Brian Setzer. Apparently Brian is temporarily forgetting "Solo Flight" an historic, landmark recording featuring solo electric guitar (virtuoso, Charlie Christian) leading a Big Band (Benny Goodman Orchestra), recorded on March 4, 1941, about 57 years before Setzer recorded with a Big Band. Another notable example is "Okie Dokie Stomp" by Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown, released June, 1954 on Peacock Records, around 44 years before BSO. I like your music, Brian Setzer, but man, know your craft, know the history and be honest about it.
Read and write music. Read and write music. Guitarists friends : repeat after Brian Setzer : "read and write music". Not tabs. Real music with a staff and shit.
DIdn't like the Stray Cats when they came out. I figured 'what next, big band?' And then there was Harry Connick Jr., and my nightmare was almost complete. My poor psyche never knew what was gonna hit it when rap came out. So much for pop music 'progressing.' At this point in time, though, I can say that I respect Brian's musical capabilities. I may revisit some Stray Cats, but the big band stuff....not my cuppa.
Amen!! Robert Plant's voice was pretty much dead by then from years of abuse, and Brian Setzer is much more of a musician and especially singer than those in HD!!✝️⚜️
frank livingston lets be honest.... Brian setzer can make any song better than the original... that's why he's the king of rock n roll, swing and ROCKABILLY!
The best guitarists of the 100 of all time is a big joke that is just based on money and some other crazy reason that they're even on that list does better guitar players that are not even on that list and that list is not even in the correct order what order is the correct order that's open to discussion verbatim all the time anyway c'est la vie
Brian's explanation of the blending of musical styles and genres, how it all relates to blues, how they all come out in his playing - just shows how his wide-ranging musicology and immense talent keeps wowing audiences around the world. Such a unique and wonderful player!
from a guitar player's perspective , this guy absolutely plays the shit outta that thing !!!
Man I remember when the Stray Cats came out on Mtv, blew me away and bought all their records, which I still own. Been a huge Brian Setzer fan ever since and own all of his music and DVDs, the man is a freakin LEGEND and HERO!!!
" The guitar leads the orchestra and its gonna rock... because that's what I do!" Cool dude!
"And it's gonna rock, cause that's what I do." Legendary quote lol
Just wanted to quote it too, hahaha, Brian Setzer sure is a living legend, I love his music and he seems to be a great guy!
Yep. That's one for the books. Been an inspiration for me through my whole life. we grew up at the same time, in the same place doing the same thing. he did his thing, I did mine, and even way back then, we all knew, we were outclassed by a God given talent. Rock on Brian, rock on.
Yep, you can't argue with that.
Saw him live in 1986 as a solo artist..his back up band was amazing.
Fabulous singer and guitar player . Very sweet man and extremely handsome.
Deborah Crossley His voice is overshadowed by his guitar playing. He has a God given vocal ability.
Agree hot💗
Never miss the opportunity to see Brian Setzer live. He is an excellent showman!
Brian setzer is a great guitarist no doubt very very good he's in my top 6 for sure, his cover of Santo and Johnny's the walk is true greatness
"It's gonna rock, 'cause that's what I do" THIS IS THE COOLEST CAT EVER!! I love it.
I can't believe he is not in the rolling stone's list of 100 best guitarris of all time, such ignorance!!
That's because he's above all that nonsense.
The rolling stones list had curt cobain in the top 10. Says it all really.
Would of loved to of seen Brian ,George Thorogood and Chuck Berry jam . What does the rolling stones opinion really matter anyway , Rock on !
Should be in the RnR Hall of Fame.
He’s in my top 5!
Was absolutely blown away by Brian's energetic, outgoing and skillful guitar playing when I saw him at the Montreal Jazz Festival. The big band behind him was just a bonus, man he could have played that show alone and still sounded absolutely amazing. Probably my biggest musical inspiration, made me pick up my guitar again and I haven't put it down since for years now!
what a blessing and great song Stray Cat Strut is. Hands down best Rockabilly song i've ever heard. Cannot believe Brian and the band created and made that song.
Agree a great song ❤❤
Met Slim Jim, in 2000 then again, 2004.
Almost met Lee Rocker.
Just humble, awesome, down to earth cats.
My all-time fave band. Seen them live.
Fantastic artist and a compliment to Eddie Cochran
Practically all Stray Cat songs are solid, his work with the Honeydrippers excellent, with his big band extraordinary- seen them 5 or 6 times, never dull.
What Brian does on Sleepwalk is mind blowing especially on the type of guitar he plays.
Brian is absolutely within the top 10 greatest guitarist in the world.
I`m from Germany, and I love that sound. In the 80`s I was a fan of the Stray Cats and bought all the records. Now its 30 years ago and I`m happy that Brian makes music until now with his orchestra. Hope to see him in L.A. at end of October or at the beginning of November cause I will fly to L. A. at he 26 of Oct.. Love from Germany to Brian and his crew.
Long live the music of Brian Setzer. He is such a great talent and his orchestra plays ass-shakin' music...nothing wrong with that!
Agree❤❤
Fuk yeeeah I'd go to one of his shows anyday of the week anytime
ONE of the NICCCEST and humblest men i have evermet....sooo sooo cool
You met him? What a treat!
Yeah agree he's so cool and down to earth❤❤
... plus he's a decent guitar player ;)
It is indeed what you do Mister Setzer! Rock on stray cat! Rock on!
Brian is one cool cat, period!
Lol. Oh !! I Get It
Brian like "I love jazz, I love country, I love blues," I'm like "yes, yes, yes, omg I think I just love him."😂💕
America's Greatest Guitar Talent.
Please turn the background music up even louder - we can still hear what Brian has to say, thanks.
6:21 minutes? No need for that. Mr. Setzer is a gentleman and ONE OF THE MOST UNDERRATED GUITARISTS OUT THERE. I wish I had the 1.000.000th amount of talent he has.
Love this man. He's fantastic.
He has a gift for singing as well as guitar. He's a real gone guy. : )
Slightly wrong info, they were famous in England first and then America, 1982s built for speed was a mix of the 2 first albums they made in the UK.
They were already well known in England and Europe before built for speed, this was the album that made them big in the USA..
Brian Setzer, such a great guitar player. My favorit Rockabilly Guitarist. 👏👏👏
He's just an absolute monster of a musician. Equally gifted as a performer too - delivering the goods for decades.
One of the greatest guitar players - The moment I heard Runaway Boys in 1980 it sounded so different and frankly amazing, that I wanted to do this. Amazing, either with the Stray Cats or with the big band! He is Eddie Cochran rebuilt!
'..it's gonna Rock, because that's what I do.' Tell it!! Oooh, I just love this crazy little Cat Daddy.
What can I say about the legendary Brian Setzer he's the king of rockabilly with the stray cats. ❤ U still in 2023 and beyond.
The Stray cats was my favourite Rockabilly trio's of the neo 80s revival.I was a young Rockabilly teen back then but i still play their albums today.
I'm from Long Island too. My dad's from Massapequa, only a couple years younger than Setzer. My first experience with rockabilly (with any type of music actually) started with The Beatles. I also played brass before I played the guitar, but I had to teach myself because my parents couldn't afford to get me lessons. Now I play Stray Cats songs like everyday on my cheap Fender Squier Strat, along with a lot of punk. I have to say, I sound pretty damn good.
Happy birthday, Brian!!!! Keep`n rockin! Please come back to Germany, pretty soon.
Love from Finland!
Great up 20 mins away from me.... Awesome..... waiting for a new album
Love from Detroit
i was in Germany in 1981 in the British Army and i first heard stray cat strut on the forces radio BFBS and i thought who's this, so i went to the NAAFI {PX} and brought their Album which was on Cassette so i could play it in my car.
BIG love from INDONESIA.
Love from Burkina !!
I just love that guy.
Me too❤❤
I NEVER knew he and the other Stray Cats were American! I thought Brian just put on an American accent! When they became famous in the early ‘80s and I saw their videos on MTV, I thought they were so extreme looking in their ‘50s caricatures that they had to be British, overdoing it. And now I finally learn the truth 35+ years later.
he's amazing. the king of the whole damn world!
Stray Cat Strut came out in 1981. Everything else followed. Strut is what got his foothold in US. Great group, great guitarist.
LOVE FROM GERMANY
Brian certainly did more than most on the transition from jazz to Rockabilly, HOWEVER I believe the True Transition was Alvin Lee... I Love them both Equally for their contributions to the transition to Rock Music!!!!
Cool cool cat!! Would love to sit down in my living room with him and just jam and shoot the breeze!!! And you can just tell that he would do it!! Decent and humble dude!!!
love from sherwood england
My music hero. Best of the best
Shhhhhhh don't tell anybody, 'cause it doesn't quite suit the image, but ... Brian's a genius.
I loved Stray Cats.
great guy and very talented, following his dream
Brian Setzer had influenced a thousand bandS in the world...Great man, learn this man since 1980....I was ten!!!! Polecats, guanabatz, reverend Horton Heat, batmobile, restless, meteors, psychobilly scene, and many others rockabilly and néorockabilly .....Setzer orchestra was great in France at the Elysee Montmarte in Paris! this man' got the swing!
By far.... Head and shoulder the greatest American guitarist to date! and ... An American ICON
Great Man
God I love this man. One time I was at my girlfriends house and a commercial for his Christmas concert came on and I just spazzed out and screamed "OH MY GOD BRAIN SETZER!". Her mom just looked at me with an odd expression and went "Who the hell is that?" It's sad that more people don't know or recognize this man for all he's done. Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll get to witness a second coming of a rockabilly revival at least somewhat close to what this legend caused in my life time.
I hope to spur that revival! I'm still learning rockabilly, but when my chops are solid and I get to putting my music out and touring, I'm gonna rock this town! I can play that song with my eyes closed now ;) put a video on facebook of me doing just that!
you sound like my kind of person, literally every day in my life is "OH MY GOD BRIAN SETZER" and my friends like... Who?😂💕
Too be fair there is a huge rockabilly and psychobilly scene all over the world. It hasnt really broken into the mainstream but it most definitely does not need a revival, because it's still thriving in the underground!
A TRUE LEGEND The KING BRIAN SETZER
Saw the Cats several times...
Dam they ROCK.
5:52 that's an elephants trunk not a pompadour.
Original BJs lounge fan seen him play 500+ times, always phenomenal
No mention of his earlier band with his brothers in Queens NY...The Bloodless Pharoahs . Or THE CRAMPS
Criminal exemptions !
They did a fantastic Perry Mason Theme ! Among many kool originals.
Love brian❤❤❤
Stray cats🎸
It's going to rock because that's what I do
WatchMojo, I'm glad you stated "Helped bring swing back" . He definitely brought Rockabilly back to the mainstream, but NOT Swing. Royal Crown Revue brought that back
So answer this question: is it true - no other swing band (aka 17-18 players) had the guitar out front, leading the band?
@@markfreemantle7608 Alvino Rey fronted a Big Band on steel guitar way back. Check him out.
XMAS tour....you gotta see it!!!!!!!!
I'd love Brian to do some straight blues . He was also heavily influenced by Jimmy Page .
love from japan!
Love bri❤❤
Whoever wrote this script has no clue about Stray Cats. Most of the info given here is wrong! "Built For Speed" was a compilation album made up from their first three albums, and NOT their breakout release.
Ok ???? Well ! My Dad Can Beat Your Dad
Cool dude!
Sos un capo brian tanto k a mi hijo le puse brian damian aguante Brian setzer desde Argentina
love from my mom's basement !
The best.
Got the Stray Cats tattoo in 1981!
Klasse
2:36 "Built For Speed" was a US release that combined the band's first two - successful - European albums, "The Stray Cats" and "Gonna Ball"', both of which were released in 1981. Research, who needs it? Right Watchmojo?
This genius brought me so many emotions and inspired me to play the guitar... but so far from his standards to my great disappointment !
fred120364 In order to be a musician one has to work hard and if you really love it,you simply can't give up! The character, who never ever gives up is irrenouncable!
No way I'd ever give up caressing my beautiful babies! Even being far from Brian's level I still have so much fun with my little music!
What watch mojo does vids on my idol?
5:16 "I knew it was something musically that had not been done before - there had not been a guitar leading a Big Band." -Brian Setzer. Apparently Brian is temporarily forgetting "Solo Flight" an historic, landmark recording featuring solo electric guitar (virtuoso, Charlie Christian) leading a Big Band (Benny Goodman Orchestra), recorded on March 4, 1941, about 57 years before Setzer recorded with a Big Band. Another notable example is "Okie Dokie Stomp" by Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown, released June, 1954 on Peacock Records, around 44 years before BSO. I like your music, Brian Setzer, but man, know your craft, know the history and be honest about it.
T Bone walker and on and on this guy made a bold statement there.
Read and write music. Read and write music. Guitarists friends : repeat after Brian Setzer : "read and write music". Not tabs. Real music with a staff and shit.
Bad Ass
Wow! A snare and bass drummer. Thats all.
Mel Torme & Alan Ladd meet Cliffie Stone and decide to Go For It.
Really love Brian's music but "King of Swing"? Really? Benny Goodman completely deserves that title.
Unfortunately, I have to agree with you on that one!!
Let's call Setzer the King of Modern Swing!!✝️⚜️
they cancelled because jim fell off the stage in London and broke his arm !
everyone knows that.
he looks like a mix between Paul McCartney and Tommy Emmanuel :D
No he can't be compared! Love bri❤❤❤
He can do no wrong
Funny. He says he wanted to look like Eddy Cochran. But Eddy wanted to look like Elvis.
Everyone gets his/her inspiration by someone else when they are kids.
DIdn't like the Stray Cats when they came out. I figured 'what next, big band?' And then there was Harry Connick Jr., and my nightmare was almost complete. My poor psyche never knew what was gonna hit it when rap came out. So much for pop music 'progressing.' At this point in time, though, I can say that I respect Brian's musical capabilities. I may revisit some Stray Cats, but the big band stuff....not my cuppa.
Even you can't deny his abilities.
I thought I said that?
@@PreacherAtArrakeen difference between us is that I like all Brians music
@@kimgrant3879 viva la difference!
Royal Crown Revue are the Kings Of Swing ! Settler jumped on their band wagon in the mid 1990s
I’m sorry but when did Benny Goodman cease to be the King of Swing?
Can the background music be any fucking louder? Yes, i get it, it’s them, but I’m here for the interview. Annoying.
Thank god he didn't continue with the Honeydrippers, his talent was wasted there.
Amen!! Robert Plant's voice was pretty much dead by then from years of abuse, and Brian Setzer is much more of a musician and especially singer than those in HD!!✝️⚜️
"King of Swing" ???!!!???!!!???!! Royal Crown Review are the originators of the Swing Revival, let's get that straight !
frank livingston
lets be honest.... Brian setzer can make any song better than the original... that's why he's the king of rock n roll, swing and ROCKABILLY!
The Beatles!
The best guitarists of the 100 of all time is a big joke that is just based on money and some other crazy reason that they're even on that list does better guitar players that are not even on that list and that list is not even in the correct order what order is the correct order that's open to discussion verbatim all the time anyway c'est la vie