Brian Setzer played an instrumental role in the revival of rockabilly and its evolution into a subculture, all the while being one of the foremost players of rockabilly’s most symbolic six-stringed instrument. He still wields a Gretsch hollow-bodied electric guitar onstage as he did at the Stray Cats’ height of fame, when that band almost single-handedly bridged the gap between the ’50s nostalgia fad of the ’70s to the post-punk retro movement that offered mosh pit survivors a more adult lifestyle.
Setzer was also one of the progenitors of the swing movement that led innumerable rockabilly bands to add horn sections. The Massapequa, N.Y., native started it all when he put together the Brian Setzer Orchestra in 1990 and received critical and popular acclaim for a cover of Louis Prima’s “Jump Jive an’ Wail.” It was a return to roots of sorts, as Setzer played brass instruments before visits to New York’s Village Vanguard introduced him to swing jazz.
By the time Elvis Presley passed away, he was a budding guitarist with a passion for early rock ’n’ roll and an appreciation for the burgeoning punk rock scene. He formed the Stray Cats with upright bassist Lee Rocker and drummer Slim Jim Phantom, but they encountered disinterest in the regional club scene. In a move the Killers would take a cue from 20 years later, they went to the U.K. and became an overnight success.
A return to the U.S., where they fit in well alongside the eclectic artists in rotation on MTV in the early ’80s, led to more success. It wasn’t sustainable though, and Setzer went his own way in 1984. He’s alternated between solo work, leading a big band and reuniting with the Stray Cats ever since. Regardless of the path he takes, his nimble fingers make immaculate, tasteful runs on his Gretsch at every performance, keeping the spirit of rockabilly alive.
Green Valley Ranch, 8 p.m. Aug. 30, starts at $35, tax & fee. 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster
