Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom—the original founding members of the acclaimed American rockabilly trio, The Stray Cats—will reunite for their first North American performance in 10 years on April 21 in Las Vegas at the Orleans when they headline Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend. The group, known for hits such hits such as “Stray Cat Strut,” “(She’s) Sexy + 17” and “Rock This Town,” will share the stage with such musical legends as Jerry Lee Lewis and Duane Eddy.
“There’s something magic about a Stray Cats show, and Viva Las Vegas is the perfect event to experience that,” said Setzer in a press release.
Beginning April 19, Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend will showcase over 100 live bands across four days, eight burlesque shows, a massive car show (all cars built before 1964), vintage fashion show, pin-up contest, jiving lessons and a jiving contest. On hand will be over 120 vendors, pool parties, bands, music all night, DJs and record hops plus much more.
Formed by guitarist/vocalist Setzer, upright bass player Rocker and drummer Phantom in the Long Island town of Massapequa, N.Y., in 1979, the trio shared a love for rockabilly music and after banging around New York and Philadelphia for a few months, in the summer of 1980, they were persuaded by a mutual friend to hop a plane to London where a rockabilly revival movement was just beginning to emerge. The group remained active until 1984, then again from 1986-93 and 2004-09. They’ve released 10 albums in all to date.
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The Stray Cats
In their time apart, Setzer has appeared with Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks and Robert Plant, and has also led the Brian Setzer Orchestra. Phantom and Rocker played with David Bowie guitarist Earl Slick and, either separately or together, worked with artists like Carl Perkins, Ringo Starr and Willie Nelson.
The Stray Cats were inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2006.
For tickets and more information regarding the Las Vegas performance, go here.
Watch the video for “Stray Cat Strut”
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