King of Swing Brian Setzer Discusses His Career

[@philipatoz]

Brian's explanation of the blending of musical styles and genres, how it all relates to blues, how they all come out in his playing - just shows how his wide-ranging musicology and immense talent keeps wowing audiences around the world. Such a unique and wonderful player!

[@rhondaellis1215]

Never miss the opportunity to see Brian Setzer live. He is an excellent showman!

[@hazor777]

from a guitar player's perspective , this guy absolutely plays the shit outta that thing !!!

[@Vinylrebel72]

Man I remember when the Stray Cats came out on Mtv, blew me away and bought all their records, which I still own. Been a huge Brian Setzer fan ever since and own all of his music and DVDs, the man is a freakin LEGEND and HERO!!!

[@nickknight5543]

Saw him live in 1986 as a solo artist..his back up band was amazing.

[@deborahcrossley525]

Fabulous singer and guitar player . Very sweet man and extremely handsome.

[@FiLe2121]

Deborah Crossley His voice is overshadowed by his guitar playing. He has a God given vocal ability.

[@melgrant7404]

Agree hot💗

[@DondeArandas]

Met Slim Jim, in 2000 then again, 2004. Almost met Lee Rocker. Just humble, awesome, down to earth cats. My all-time fave band. Seen them live.

[@mattscanzano5018]

Was absolutely blown away by Brian's energetic, outgoing and skillful guitar playing when I saw him at the Montreal Jazz Festival. The big band behind him was just a bonus, man he could have played that show alone and still sounded absolutely amazing. Probably my biggest musical inspiration, made me pick up my guitar again and I haven't put it down since for years now!

[@josephtaverna1287]

Brian setzer is a great guitarist no doubt very very good he's in my top 6 for sure, his cover of Santo and Johnny's the walk is true greatness

[@thestrayjay2678]

what a blessing and great song Stray Cat Strut is. Hands down best Rockabilly song i've ever heard. Cannot believe Brian and the band created and made that song.

[@melgrant7404]

Agree a great song ❤❤

[@TheCustomizer64]

I`m from Germany, and I love that sound. In the 80`s I was a fan of the Stray Cats and bought all the records. Now its 30 years ago and I`m happy that Brian makes music until now with his orchestra. Hope to see him in L.A. at end of October or at the beginning of November cause I will fly to L. A. at he 26 of Oct.. Love from Germany to Brian and his crew.

[@Jeremy-yr8yg]

" The guitar leads the orchestra and its gonna rock... because that's what I do!" Cool dude!

[@TheChadPad]

"And it's gonna rock, cause that's what I do." Legendary quote lol

[@rarerockk]

Just wanted to quote it too, hahaha, Brian Setzer sure is a living legend, I love his music and he seems to be a great guy!

[@Blaydrnnnr]

Yep. That's one for the books. Been an inspiration for me through my whole life. we grew up at the same time, in the same place doing the same thing. he did his thing, I did mine, and even way back then, we all knew, we were outclassed by a God given talent. Rock on Brian, rock on.

[@splatboy38]

Yep, you can't argue with that.

[@Riv300]

"It's gonna rock, 'cause that's what I do" THIS IS THE COOLEST CAT EVER!! I love it.

[@freddygonzalez8797]

Practically all Stray Cat songs are solid, his work with the Honeydrippers excellent, with his big band extraordinary- seen them 5 or 6 times, never dull. What Brian does on Sleepwalk is mind blowing especially on the type of guitar he plays. Brian is absolutely within the top 10 greatest guitarist in the world.

[@AnitaVickers-ey2nw]

What can I say about the legendary Brian Setzer he's the king of rockabilly with the stray cats. ❤ U still in 2023 and beyond.

[@tablon8539]

I can't believe he is not in the rolling stone's list of 100 best guitarris of all time, such ignorance!!

[@seanmeisner3190]

That's because he's above all that nonsense.

[@jimbobjimbob8275]

The rolling stones list had curt cobain in the top 10. Says it all really.

[@downtownbobbybrown6237]

Would of loved to of seen Brian ,George Thorogood and Chuck Berry jam . What does the rolling stones opinion really matter anyway , Rock on !

[@drjmankx37]

Should be in the RnR Hall of Fame.

[@davidmacleod9313]

He’s in my top 5!

[@finneguitarplayer9825]

Brian Setzer, such a great guitar player. My favorit Rockabilly Guitarist. 👏👏👏

[@TeenageQueenie]

Love this man. He's fantastic.

[@graceland9223]

Fantastic artist and a compliment to Eddie Cochran

[@claytonpehi5556]

Fuk yeeeah I'd go to one of his shows anyday of the week anytime

[@stevemurray2737]

America's Greatest Guitar Talent.

[@lee-qz7bd]

It is indeed what you do Mister Setzer! Rock on stray cat! Rock on!

[@LRS905]

6:21 minutes? No need for that. Mr. Setzer is a gentleman and ONE OF THE MOST UNDERRATED GUITARISTS OUT THERE. I wish I had the 1.000.000th amount of talent he has.

[@sunking2001]

Long live the music of Brian Setzer. He is such a great talent and his orchestra plays ass-shakin' music...nothing wrong with that!

[@melgrant7404]

Agree❤❤

[@harveydents]

ONE of the NICCCEST and humblest men i have evermet....sooo sooo cool

[@AbirTarafdar]

You met him? What a treat!

[@melgrant7404]

Yeah agree he's so cool and down to earth❤❤

[@johopeweisz]

... plus he's a decent guitar player ;)

[@JohnsOnStrings]

He's just an absolute monster of a musician. Equally gifted as a performer too - delivering the goods for decades.

[@wagonmaster1974]

Stray Cat Strut came out in 1981. Everything else followed. Strut is what got his foothold in US. Great group, great guitarist.

[@stevenford727]

The Stray cats was my favourite Rockabilly trio's of the neo 80s revival.I was a young Rockabilly teen back then but i still play their albums today.

[@EdVanMeyer]

One of the greatest guitar players - The moment I heard Runaway Boys in 1980 it sounded so different and frankly amazing, that I wanted to do this. Amazing, either with the Stray Cats or with the big band! He is Eddie Cochran rebuilt!

[@jarirusi]

Love from Finland!

[@JoshMaxPower]

Please turn the background music up even louder - we can still hear what Brian has to say, thanks.

[@WahlbergBabey]

Brian like "I love jazz, I love country, I love blues," I'm like "yes, yes, yes, omg I think I just love him."😂💕

[@BrianHAlexander]

Love from Detroit

[@tiltlegs]

Happy birthday, Brian!!!! Keep`n rockin! Please come back to Germany, pretty soon.

[@HubMeunier]

Love from Burkina !!

[@autocrow]

He has a gift for singing as well as guitar. He's a real gone guy. : )

[@FinkChrist]

I'm from Long Island too. My dad's from Massapequa, only a couple years younger than Setzer. My first experience with rockabilly (with any type of music actually) started with The Beatles. I also played brass before I played the guitar, but I had to teach myself because my parents couldn't afford to get me lessons. Now I play Stray Cats songs like everyday on my cheap Fender Squier Strat, along with a lot of punk. I have to say, I sound pretty damn good.

[@hippolytelafabrie6915]

Brian Setzer had influenced a thousand bandS in the world...Great man, learn this man since 1980....I was ten!!!! Polecats, guanabatz, reverend Horton Heat, batmobile, restless, meteors, psychobilly scene, and many others rockabilly and néorockabilly .....Setzer orchestra was great in France at the Elysee Montmarte in Paris! this man' got the swing!

[@KJensenStudio]

'..it's gonna Rock, because that's what I do.' Tell it!! Oooh, I just love this crazy little Cat Daddy.

[@paulsimmons5726]

Brian is one cool cat, period!

[@stevescontriano860]

Lol. Oh !! I Get It

[@flitzflitty1402]

Great up 20 mins away from me.... Awesome..... waiting for a new album

[@timothyenver]

BIG love from INDONESIA.

[@bengunns9500]

i was in Germany in 1981 in the British Army and i first heard stray cat strut on the forces radio BFBS and i thought who's this, so i went to the NAAFI {PX} and brought their Album which was on Cassette so i could play it in my car.

[@SolitaryWomenRecords]

LOVE FROM GERMANY

[@greycuffy]

love from sherwood england

[@alberttatlock5237]

Slightly wrong info, they were famous in England first and then America, 1982s built for speed was a mix of the 2 first albums they made in the UK. They were already well known in England and Europe before built for speed, this was the album that made them big in the USA..

[@hebneh]

I NEVER knew he and the other Stray Cats were American! I thought Brian just put on an American accent! When they became famous in the early ‘80s and I saw their videos on MTV, I thought they were so extreme looking in their ‘50s caricatures that they had to be British, overdoing it. And now I finally learn the truth 35+ years later.

[@metalone2055]

Brian certainly did more than most on the transition from jazz to Rockabilly, HOWEVER I believe the True Transition was Alvin Lee... I Love them both Equally for their contributions to the transition to Rock Music!!!!

[@enigmath]

he's amazing. the king of the whole damn world!

[@drjmankx37]

I just love that guy.

[@melgrant7404]

Me too❤❤

[@comicozy8786]

My music hero. Best of the best

[@al6347]

Saw the Cats several times... Dam they ROCK.

[@Blueslicks321]

By far.... Head and shoulder the greatest American guitarist to date! and ... An American ICON

[@jesusrosas5344]

I loved Stray Cats.

[@CusterFlux]

Shhhhhhh don't tell anybody, 'cause it doesn't quite suit the image, but ... Brian's a genius.

[@JEFFERY64]

A TRUE LEGEND The KING BRIAN SETZER

[@gp-sv]

Great Man

[@Jeremy-yr8yg]

Cool cool cat!! Would love to sit down in my living room with him and just jam and shoot the breeze!!! And you can just tell that he would do it!! Decent and humble dude!!!

[@user-vs1ee2jr3n]

Original BJs lounge fan seen him play 500+ times, always phenomenal

[@NBM3]

No mention of his earlier band with his brothers in Queens NY...The Bloodless Pharoahs . Or THE CRAMPS Criminal exemptions ! They did a fantastic Perry Mason Theme ! Among many kool originals.

[@vintagefreak6726]

God I love this man. One time I was at my girlfriends house and a commercial for his Christmas concert came on and I just spazzed out and screamed "OH MY GOD BRAIN SETZER!". Her mom just looked at me with an odd expression and went "Who the hell is that?" It's sad that more people don't know or recognize this man for all he's done. Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll get to witness a second coming of a rockabilly revival at least somewhat close to what this legend caused in my life time.

[@TheChadPad]

I hope to spur that revival! I'm still learning rockabilly, but when my chops are solid and I get to putting my music out and touring, I'm gonna rock this town! I can play that song with my eyes closed now ;) put a video on facebook of me doing just that!

[@WahlbergBabey]

you sound like my kind of person, literally every day in my life is "OH MY GOD BRIAN SETZER" and my friends like... Who?😂💕

[@alecgallagher3893]

Too be fair there is a huge rockabilly and psychobilly scene all over the world. It hasnt really broken into the mainstream but it most definitely does not need a revival, because it's still thriving in the underground!

[@melgrant7404]

Love brian❤❤❤

[@steveaustin6467]

great guy and very talented, following his dream

[@V8Deuce]

WatchMojo, I'm glad you stated "Helped bring swing back" . He definitely brought Rockabilly back to the mainstream, but NOT Swing. Royal Crown Revue brought that back

[@markfreemantle7608]

So answer this question: is it true - no other swing band (aka 17-18 players) had the guitar out front, leading the band?

[@curbmassa]

@@markfreemantle7608 Alvino Rey fronted a Big Band on steel guitar way back. Check him out.

[@dion5100]

love from japan!

[@melgrant7404]

Love bri❤❤

[@BLUESGUITAROCKER]

I'd love Brian to do some straight blues . He was also heavily influenced by Jimmy Page .

[@tgnomercy]

XMAS tour....you gotta see it!!!!!!!!

[@raymondlugo9960]

It's going to rock because that's what I do

[@HopliteWarlord]

Cool dude!

[@darkenddeath3871]

Stray cats🎸

[@tonybussey8763]

Got the Stray Cats tattoo in 1981!

[@rocka-billythekid5221]

5:52 that's an elephants trunk not a pompadour.

[@ataquerockabilly3817]

Sos un capo brian tanto k a mi hijo le puse brian damian aguante Brian setzer desde Argentina

[@greenfly1264]

The best.

[@PpunktP]

Klasse

[@andy6576]

2:36 "Built For Speed" was a US release that combined the band's first two - successful - European albums, "The Stray Cats" and "Gonna Ball"', both of which were released in 1981. Research, who needs it? Right Watchmojo?

[@rickmckay65]

Whoever wrote this script has no clue about Stray Cats. Most of the info given here is wrong! "Built For Speed" was a compilation album made up from their first three albums, and NOT their breakout release.

[@stevescontriano860]

Ok ???? Well ! My Dad Can Beat Your Dad

[@whiteeye2121movalik]

love from my mom's basement !

[@paulgrimm6850]

Bad Ass

[@surfercrow]

5:16 "I knew it was something musically that had not been done before - there had not been a guitar leading a Big Band." -Brian Setzer. Apparently Brian is temporarily forgetting "Solo Flight" an historic, landmark recording featuring solo electric guitar (virtuoso, Charlie Christian) leading a Big Band (Benny Goodman Orchestra), recorded on March 4, 1941, about 57 years before Setzer recorded with a Big Band. Another notable example is "Okie Dokie Stomp" by Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown, released June, 1954 on Peacock Records, around 44 years before BSO. I like your music, Brian Setzer, but man, know your craft, know the history and be honest about it.

[@mikelawct]

T Bone walker and on and on this guy made a bold statement there.

[@fred120364]

This genius brought me so many emotions and inspired me to play the guitar... but so far from his standards to my great disappointment !

[@hoellenkatzlehensmarr6036]

fred120364 In order to be a musician one has to work hard and if you really love it,you simply can't give up! The character, who never ever gives up is irrenouncable!

[@fred120364]

No way I'd ever give up caressing my beautiful babies! Even being far from Brian's level I still have so much fun with my little music!

[@jeffwise8194]

Wow! A snare and bass drummer. Thats all.

[@cilliman5630]

What watch mojo does vids on my idol?

[@naughtmoses]

Mel Torme & Alan Ladd meet Cliffie Stone and decide to Go For It.

[@MrGougi]

Read and write music. Read and write music. Guitarists friends : repeat after Brian Setzer : "read and write music". Not tabs. Real music with a staff and shit.

[@maximilien_4382]

he looks like a mix between Paul McCartney and Tommy Emmanuel :D

[@kimgrant3879]

No he can't be compared! Love bri❤❤❤

[@seanc9366]

He can do no wrong

[@Zeppelin2496]

Really love Brian's music but "King of Swing"? Really? Benny Goodman completely deserves that title.

[@CroixdeLorraine]

Unfortunately, I have to agree with you on that one!! Let's call Setzer the King of Modern Swing!!✝️⚜️

[@nicocacci4070]

they cancelled because jim fell off the stage in London and broke his arm ! everyone knows that.

[@Flippie123]

Funny. He says he wanted to look like Eddy Cochran. But Eddy wanted to look like Elvis.

[@bagiee1]

Everyone gets his/her inspiration by someone else when they are kids.

[@V8Deuce]

Royal Crown Revue are the Kings Of Swing ! Settler jumped on their band wagon in the mid 1990s

[@PreacherAtArrakeen]

DIdn't like the Stray Cats when they came out. I figured 'what next, big band?' And then there was Harry Connick Jr., and my nightmare was almost complete. My poor psyche never knew what was gonna hit it when rap came out. So much for pop music 'progressing.' At this point in time, though, I can say that I respect Brian's musical capabilities. I may revisit some Stray Cats, but the big band stuff....not my cuppa.

[@melgrant7404]

Even you can't deny his abilities.

[@PreacherAtArrakeen]

I thought I said that?

[@kimgrant3879]

@@PreacherAtArrakeen difference between us is that I like all Brians music

[@PreacherAtArrakeen]

@@kimgrant3879 viva la difference!

[@V8Deuce]

"King of Swing" ???!!!???!!!???!! Royal Crown Review are the originators of the Swing Revival, let's get that straight !

[@dannyherrera1598]

frank livingston lets be honest.... Brian setzer can make any song better than the original... that's why he's the king of rock n roll, swing and ROCKABILLY!

[@econorock]

Can the background music be any fucking louder? Yes, i get it, it’s them, but I’m here for the interview. Annoying.

[@davidmacleod9313]

I’m sorry but when did Benny Goodman cease to be the King of Swing?

[@reynal4350]

The Beatles!

[@empire0]

Thank god he didn't continue with the Honeydrippers, his talent was wasted there.

[@CroixdeLorraine]

Amen!! Robert Plant's voice was pretty much dead by then from years of abuse, and Brian Setzer is much more of a musician and especially singer than those in HD!!✝️⚜️

[@darrylwalsh6879]

The best guitarists of the 100 of all time is a big joke that is just based on money and some other crazy reason that they're even on that list does better guitar players that are not even on that list and that list is not even in the correct order what order is the correct order that's open to discussion verbatim all the time anyway c'est la vie