THE STRAY CATS

The Stray Cats, formed in 1979 in Massapequa, NY, by guitarist/vocalist Brian Setzer, upright bass player Lee Rocker, and drummer Slim Jim Phantom, played a crucial role in revitalizing Rockabilly music in the early '80s. Their unique blend of genuine musical talent and a striking 1950s-inspired aesthetic, featuring exaggerated pompadours and colorful tattoos, brought the genre back to the forefront of the music scene. After performing in New York, they were inspired by a cover of NME magazine and traveled to London to engage with the burgeoning Rockabilly revival. The band's notable hits, including “Runaway Boys,” "Rock This Town," "Stray Cat Strut,” "(She's) Sexy + 17," and "I Won't Stand in Your Way," achieved widespread acclaim in both the UK and US, solidifying their legacy in music history.