Stray Cats–Stray Cat Strut, their debut video on MTV 1982. They brought back 50’s Rockabilly into the 80’s. Brian Setzer, Slim Jim Phantom and Lee Rocker.
Stray Cats–Stray Cat Strut, their debut video on MTV 1982. They brought back 50’s Rockabilly into the 80’s. Brian Setzer, Slim Jim Phantom and Lee Rocker.
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When I was in high school (83-87) there were two dudes who wore the rockabilly style all the time. They were constantly harassed, everyone called them Lenny & Squiggy, but they stuck with it. Looking back I have much respect for them. This song always makes me think of them.
I totally forgot about this song and also had no idea it was from the 80’s! Super cool
There were quite a few great rockabilly bands on Long Island (NY) in the early 80’s including The BMT’s, The Roustabouts, and Freddy Frogs. Tommy Byrnes of The BMT’s has been Billy Joels guitarist for about 30 years.
Not gonna lie. I absolutely hated this song back then. But, now that I’m older, it is kinda cool.
I loved this song as a kid.
the stray cats are fuckin awesome, this is such a great song
I saw Brian Setzer one time at an outdoor concert. He fucking killed it. What a great musician!
The first TV concert I ever saw was from them, I was 12 years old and loved it. The following week it was a B52´s concert, it was awesome.
Stray Cats were a great band, and Brian Setzer is so underrated.
I’d like to see Green Day cover this!
Still seems very glam influenced
One of my karaoke go-to. You can make up for terrible singing with a little extra performance.
Those guys could really play. I was hoping to see them live on their farewell tour, but Slim Jim fell on one of the shows and broke his arm, causing the whole thing to be cancelled. What a shame.
I saw them in 1983
Seattle 1996 I am 24. My clubbing wingman is out. I am bored and decide to go to Pioneer Square and put some drinks in my body at The Phoenix Underground (The rock club at the time idk prob holds 1000 people).
Huge line. I am like wtf is going on. Brian Setzer Orchestra is playing for $20.
I remember Stray Cats from mtv and was neutral.
Brian Setzer Orchestra FUCKIN KILLED IT!!!!
The band was packed in a too small stage, 3 horn section, 2 standup bass players etc
Pompadour haircuts not just in the band but 1/4 of the crowd. Penny loafers. 70 yr olds and 20 year olds in the crowd. Packed.
In Top 5 concert of all time. Have since bought several cds including Christmas albums. Have taken 6 years of swing lessons and got pretty good.
The 80’s were a wild eclectic time for music. I had forgotten how much I liked this band. Rockabilly wouldn’t seem to fit in but it got air play and MTV time.
This whole album is amazing. Reel Big Fish do an incredible cover of this song.
My first record ever…loved it
Thank you,
Best memories of my Dad and I dancing to this in our kitchen as a little girl!
I feel old realizing we’re further away from the 80s, then they were from the 50s
And bad hair
I saw Lee Rocker around five years ago. Dude is still climbing atop his bass and playing it.
One of my top 5 most hated bands of the 80s.
For early 80s that is a pretty good video.
So many early videos were just junk. No idea what to do. Look at videos like Separate Ways, wow…
Took a few years for videos to really become an art form.
Cool song, especially if you’re a guitar nerd, but it bothers me that it only has one verse.
Check out Robert Gordon and Link Wray.
Love this song since I was a kid – holds up well too!
The kid was 17 when he made this. Brian setzer is an incredible musician
I never noticed before that he was playing a White Falcon in this. Must be an original rare one from the 50s too since they didn’t reissue them for about a decade after this. I only recall seeing him play his orange 6120 during the early years. Maybe he bought it with their signing bonus. I have some photos from their first big US tour I should try and dig out and post. They played at UB where I went to school, I think spring 83.
“cause I got cat class and I got cat styyyyllllle!!”
Nostalgia seems to always be around 25-30 years apart.
I did a few shows working lights for the Stray Cats back when they were doing casino shows in the early 2000s. Lee Rocker is the nicest guy. Their shows were always super fun and the fans were the least obnoxious people. Nobody wanted to fight anyone just really mellow people.
I never loved rockabilly. But god damn did I love girls who loved rockabilly.
Looks so much like Paul Reubens here.
I saw Stray Cats in 1983, opening for Dave Edmunds, who produced much of their early work. Of course, they played a few songs together. Some of you might remember Dave’s work with Nick Lowe/Rockpile. Much later, in the late 90’s, I saw Setzer with Bob Dylan. I’ve always appreciated Setzer’s guitar work and you could see Bob feeding off that energy.