Brian Setzer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Brian Setzer | ||
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| Background information | ||
| Born | April 10, 1959 Long Island, New York, United States |
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| Genre(s) | Rockabilly, Big band | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, Songwriter | |
| Instrument(s) | Guitarist, Singer | |
| Years active | 1980–present | |
| Associated acts |
The Brian Setzer Orchestra, Stray Cats | |
| Website | http://briansetzer.com | |
| Notable instrument(s) | ||
| Gretsch Brian Setzer Signature Models | ||
Brian Setzer (born April 10, 1959 in Massapequa, Long Island, New York) is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter.
In the 1980s, Setzer fronted the popular rockabilly band, Stray Cats. Stray Cats caught America's attention with the 1982 album Built for Speed, which included the two Top Ten hits, "Rock This Town" (#9) and "Stray Cat Strut" (#3), as well as with the follow-up 1983 album Rant 'N Rave, which included the two successful singles "(She's) Sexy + 17" (#5), and "I Won't Stand In Your Way" (#35).
In the 1990s, Setzer led a comeback for swing music and big band music, when he formed The Brian Setzer Orchestra. The band has released 6 albums to date and two live DVDs. This group had one hit, "Jump, Jive An' Wail" around the same time songs like the Cherry Poppin' Daddies' "Zoot Suit Riot" had been received favorably in mainstream America.
During the past 7 years, Setzer has earned 3 Grammy Awards (Best Pop Performance Duo/Group for "Jump Jive An' Wail", originally by Louis Prima, and 2 Best Pop Instrumental Performance awards for "Sleepwalk" and "Caravan"). In December 2006 he received his 7th Grammy nomination for his version of "My Favorite Things," again in the Best Pop Instrumental Performance category.
Brian Setzer also recorded some solo albums during Stray Cats' break in the 1980s along with some in the 1990s. In 2001 he released an album titled Ignition with his band '68 Comeback Special. A tribute album titled Rockabilly Riot Vol. 1: A Tribute To Sun Records was released on July 26, 2005, in the United States. His latest Record, 13, was released in October 2006.
Brian recently moved from Southern California to Minneapolis, Minnesota, with his wife Julie (nee Reiten, former singer with the Dustbunnies), whom he originally met when she auditioned (and was hired) as a back-up singer for the Brian Setzer Orchestra in 2000. They were married in Palm Springs, California in the summer of 2005. Brian continues to tour in the United States and overseas with his orchestra.
Setzer spoofed himself in a 2002 episode of popular animated series The Simpsons. He voiced himself as a "tutor" at a fictional "Rock And Roll Fantasy Camp" attended by Homer Simpson, and delivered the amusing line (after his animated version participated in chasing Homer in a motorized devil's head) "I hope you won't judge the entire Brian Setzer orchestra based on my actions."
Contents |
[edit] Discography
Bloodless Pharaohs:
- Marty Thau 2 x 5 (1980)
Stray Cats:
- Stray Cats (1981)
- Gonna Ball (1981)
- Built For Speed (1982) #2 (15 weeks) US
- Rant N' Rave With The Stray Cats (1983) #14 US
- Rock Therapy (1986) #122 US
- Blast Off! (1989) #111 US
- Let's Go Faster! (1990)
- Choo Choo Hot Fish (1992)
- Original Cool (1993)
Brian Setzer Orchestra
- The Brian Setzer Orchestra (1994) #158 US
- Guitar Slinger (1996)
- The Dirty Boogie (1998) #9 US
- Vavoom! (2000) #62 US
- Boogie Woogie Christmas (2002)
- Jump, Jive an' Wail - The Very Best of the Brian Setzer Orchestra (2003)
- The Ultimate Collection Live (2004)
- Dig That Crazy Christmas (2005)
Solo Material:
- The Knife Feels Like Justice (1986) #45 US
- Live Nude Guitars (1988) #140 US
- Rockin' By Myself (1993)
- Nitro Burnin' Funny Daddy (2003)
- Rockabilly Riot Vol. 1: A Tribute To Sun Records (2005)
- 13 (2006)
'68 Comeback Special
- Ignition (2001) #152 US
[edit] Filmography
- La Bamba (1987)
- The Great White Hype (1996)
- The Nanny - The Bobbi Flekman Story' (1997)
- The Country Bears (2002)
- The Simpsons - How I Spent My Strummer Vacation (2005)
[edit] Live DVDs
- Brian Setzer Orchestra live In Japan (2001)
- Rumble In Brixton (2004)
- Brian Setzer Orchestra Live: Christmas Extravaganza (2005)
[edit] Guitar Collection
Brian Setzer has a very large Guitar collection spanning many decades and brands. The collection includes (not a complete list):
- 1955 Gretsch Model 6130 Round Up
- 1957 Gretsch Model 6128 Black Duo Jet
- 1957 Gretsch Model 6136 White Falcon
- 1957 Gretsch Model 6129 Silver Jet - No Pickguard
- 1957 Gretsch Model 6129 Silver Jet - White Pickguard
- 1958 Gretsch Model 6129 Silver Jet - Black Pickguard
- 1959 Gretsch Model 6120 "Stray Cat"
- 1959 Gretsch Model 6119 "Christmas Custom"
- 1960 Gretsch Model 6120
- 1960 Gretsch Model 6119
- 2000 Gretsch Model 6120 Setzer Hod Rod Custom Purple
- 2000 Gretsch Model 6120 Setzer Hot Rod Custom "Pinstripe"
- 2001 Gretsch Model 6120 Setzer Hot Rod Custom "Spotty"
- 2004 Gretsch Model 6120 Setzer Signature Prototype
- 2005 Gretsch Model 6120SSLVO Setzer Signature
- 2006 Gretsch Model 6120 Setzer Hot Rod Custom "Sparkle Red"
- 2006 Gretsch Model 6120 Setzer Hot Rod Custom "Sparkle Blue"
- 1938 D'Angelico Excel
- 1940 D'Angelico New Yorker
- 1956 Martin Model D-28 Acoustic
- 1959 Guild Bluesbird
- 1964 Gibson Firebird V
- 2003 Bigsby Custom
All Guitars are listed on Setzer's website with a history and trivia.
[edit] Trivia
- Composed the theme song for the Disney cartoon show The House Of Mouse.
- Appeared in a Bud Light commercial where his rehearsal session was interrupted by an elderly woman, (recording pioneer Cordell Jackson), who could play rock-and-roll guitar.
- Was a major influence on frontman Chris Cheney of The Living End, a famous rockabilly-punk band from Australia.
[edit] External links
- Official Brian Setzer web site
- Official Stray Cats web site
- StarTribune article about life in Minneapolis http://www.startribune.com/457/story/467710.html
