Stray Cats guitarist and singer Brian Setzer has been battling a debilitating autoimmune disease that required intense treatment just to carry out ordinary daily activities. In an interview with Guitar Player, he gave a health update and said that at one point he couldn’t even button his own pants, but now he is 100% and ready for the upcoming tour with the band.
Stray Cats’ Brian Setzer gives health update
“The best way I can describe it is, your nerves are like wires, and wires have sheathing on them. Well, that’s coating has kind of eroded, so the wires malfunction. Basically, they lock up my hands and feet. I can’t move them. I can’t button my pants, let alone play guitar.”
“It’s frustrating when you sit down and your hands do nothing. You really can’t take it for granted. Playing guitar is certainly on top, but so is holding a toothbrush, y’know?”
“(After almost one year of treatment) I was able to hold a guitar pick. That came first. It was, ‘All right, I’m more than halfway there.’ And then when I was able to fingerpick, when my fingers came back, then I had the whole package,” he said.
Stray Cats’ Tour Dates
After cancelling their touring plans at the end of 2025 due to Brian Setzer’s ongoing health issues, Stray Cats announced their return, with shows scheduled for next July and August.
July
- 24 – Las Vegas, NV – The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan
- 25 – Phoenix, AZ – Celebrity Theatre
- 26 – Del Mar, CA – The Sound
- 28 – Highland, CA – Yaamava’ Theater
- 29 – Highland, CA – Yaamava’ Theater
- 31 – Santa Rosa, CA – Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
August
- 1 – Saratoga, CA – The Mountain Winery
- 2 – Wheatland, CA – Hard Rock Live
- 4 – Sandy, UT – Sandy Amphitheater
- 5 – Colorado Springs, CO – Pikes Peak Center
- 7 – TBA – TBA
- 8 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
- 10 – Huber Heights, OH – Rose Music Center at The Heights
- 11 – TBA – TBA
- 12 – Northfield, OH – MGM Northfield Park
- 14 – Westbury, NY – Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair
- 15 – Atlantic City, NJ – Ocean Casino Resort
- 16 – Morristown, NJ – Mayo Performing Arts Center