Stray Cats Plot First Tour Since Brian Setzer’s Autoimmune Diagnosis

Rockabilly icons the Stray Cats are set to play their first shows in over a year this fall, announcing their first tour since guitarist and vocalist Brian Setzer‘s diagnosis of an autoimmune disease.

Setzer first revealed news of his condition in February, explaining that upon the completion of the Stray Cats’ 2024 summer tour, he began to experience cramping hands and a diminished ability to play guitar.

“I’ve since discovered that I have an auto-immune disease. I cannot play guitar,” Setzer revealed on social media. “There is no pain, but it feels like I am wearing a pair of gloves when I try to play. I have seen some progress in that I can hold a pen and tie my shoes. I know this sounds ridiculous, but I was at a point where I couldn’t even do that. 

“Luckily, I have the best hospital in the world down the block from me. It’s called the Mayo Clinic. I know I will beat this, it will just take some time.”

The following month, Setzer provided a positive update as he explained he is “getting better day by day” and making “excellent” progress. “My dream is to visit Japan, the States, and Europe with Stray Cats, and of course, one of my biggest thrills would be bringing back the BSO Christmas show tradition.”

Now, Setzer’s continued progress appears to have reached a point where a return to the stage is possible, with the Stray Cats announcing a 31-date North American tour for October and November.

Setzer first rose to fame at the start of the ‘80s as the guitarist and vocalist of New York rockabilly outfit Stray Cats. Following a string of successful albums and singles (including Hot 100 top ten hits “Rock This Town” and “Stray Cat Strut” from their 1981 self-titled debut), the group split in 1984 before reforming two years later.

Alongside further splits and reunions, Setzer has also been the leader of the eponymous Brian Setzer Orchestra since 1990. His most recent solo album, The Devil Always Collects, arrived in 2023, while Stray Cats returned in 2019 with 40, their first studio album in 26 years.

Stray Cats – Fall Tour 2025

Oct. 25 – Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, MI
Oct. 26 – Hard Rock Casino Rockford, Rockford, IL
Oct. 28 – The Louisville Palace, Louisville, KY
Oct. 29 – Murat Theatre, Indianapolis, IN
Oct. 31 – Mershon Auditorium, Columbus, OH
Nov. 1 – Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, Gary, IN
Nov. 2 – MGM Northfield Park Center Stage, Northfield, OH
Nov. 4 – Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown, NJ
Nov. 5 – Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, Westbury, NY
Nov. 7 – Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, CT
Nov. 8 – The Event Center at Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, NY
Nov. 9 – The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY
Nov. 11 – Taft Theatre, Cincinnati, OH
Nov. 13 – Uptown Theater, Kansas City, MO
Nov. 15 – Route 66 Casino Hotel, Albuquerque, NM
Nov. 16 – Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, AZ
Nov. 18 – Yaamava’ Theater, Highland, CA
Nov. 19 – The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas, NV
Nov. 20 – TBA
Nov. 22 – Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, Santa Rosa, CA
Nov. 23 – Hard Rock Live, Wheatland, CA