Brian Setzer is an American singer, guitarist and songwriter born on April 10, 1959, Massapequa, New York.

Brian Setzer has formed his own band “Brian Setzer Orchestra” and currently working with this band.
 

Brian Setzer - Stray Cats

The “Gonna Ball” of Stray Cats was not well received and had negative reviews in UK.

In the year 1982 Stray Cats caught America’s attention with the album “Built for Speed” which included the two Top Ten Hits, “Rock This Town”, “Stray Cat Strut”, as well as with the follow-up of 1983 album “Rant ‘N Rave with the Stray Cats” which included the two successful singles “(She’s) Sexy + 17 and “I Won’t Stand in Your Way”.

Brian Setzer broke up with Stray Cats in 1984, however they would reunite for a short term to mount tours and record albums till the early 1990s. Brian Setzer released his first solo album “The Knife Feels Like Justice” in the year 1986 which moved from rockabilly to mainstream rock sound. In the mid of 1990s Brian came back to swing and jump blues and formed “Brian Setzer Orchestra” band. The biggest success of the group came in 1998 with the release of “The Dirty Boogie” which split the US album charts and featured a hit single, “Jump, Jive an’ Wail” a cover of Louis Prima.

Brian Setzer solo albums included “Rockin’ By Myself” in 1998, “Ignition” in 2001, “Nitro Burnin’ Funny Daddy” in 2003, “Rockabilly Riot Vol 1: A Tribute To Sun Records” in July 26, 2005 and his latest record “13” released in October 2006.
The Brian Setzer Orchestra’s “Wolfgang’s Big Night Out” on September 25, 2007 take on classical pieces and earned Brian Setzer his 8th Grammy nomination for Best Classical Crossover album of the year.

BRIAN SETZER GUITAR COLLECTION

• 1938 D'Angelico Excel
• 1940 D'Angelico New Yorker
• 1956 Martin Model D-28 Acoustic
• 1957 Gretsch Model 6129 Silver Jet - White Pickguard
• 1957 Gretsch Model 6129 Silver Jet - No Pickguard
• 1957 Gretsch Model 6128 Black Duo Jet
• 1955 Gretsch Model 6130 Round Up
• 1957 Gretsch Model 6136 White Falcon
• 1958 Gretsch Model 6129 Silver Jet - Black Pickguard
• 1959 Gretsch Model 6119 "Christmas Custom"
• 1959 Gretsch Model 6120 "Stray Cat"
• 1959 Guild Bluesbird
• 1960 Gretsch Model 6119
• 1960 Gretsch Model 6120
• 1964 Gibson Firebird V
• 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"
• 2003 Bigsby Custom 
• 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"

Brian Robertson is a guitarist and songwriter born on 12 February, 1956 in Clarkston, East Renfrewshire.

Brian Robertson learnt classical piano and cello for eight years before switching to drums and guitar. He played in concerts with bands like ‘Dream Police’ around his local area which later developed into the ‘Average White Band’.

An Irish hard rock band ‘Thin Lizzy’ was auditioning for a new guitarist, Robertson tried out and got selected in the audition. The twin-guitar harmony was formulated by Thin Lizzy band with Robertson and Scott Gorham which made the band one of the most powerful guitar bands in the music industry. The distinctive sound of the band influenced subsequent bands, such as ‘Metallica’, ‘The Darkness’ and ‘Iron Maiden’. During his time with the band Thin Lizzy band released many successful albums such as ‘Jailbreak’, ‘Bad Reputation’, ‘Johnny the Fox’ and ‘Live and Dangerous’. In 1978, Brian Robertson came out of the band.

Brian Robertson

The Total Accuracy video ‘Still in Love with the Blues’ describes his unusual use of the wah-pedal as an extension of the instrument during soloing rather than purely rhythmic effect which is an unique use of the effect. Brian Robertson explains about his approach to guitar playing, blues licks, sublime blues improvisations and classic Thin Lizzy lead solos in the video.

Brian Robertson formed the band 'Wild Horses' along with Jimmy Bain. Jimmy was the ex-bassist for the band Rainbow. However, the band did not perform well in UK and eventually split after releasing two albums. The 'First Album' in 1980 and 'Stand Your Ground' which was the last album released in 1981. In the final tour of Thin Lizzy Robertson performed on stage with most of their former guitarists in 1982.

After his appearance with Thin Lizzy, Brian Robertson was telephoned to see if he was interested in replacing the guitarist ‘Fast’ Eddie Clarke from the British heavy metal band ‘Motorhead’. He rehearsed for five days with the band and recorded the album ‘Another Perfect Day’ on a radio show ‘King Biscuit Flower Hour’ on May 21, 1982 at Harpo’s in Detroit. Robertson’s last performance with the band was at the Metropol, Berlin on 11 November, 1983.

Brian Robertson joined the band ‘Statetrooper’ and was there with the band until their breakup. He made a special guest appearance with the band ‘Ash’ and played guitar for the song ‘The Boys Are Back in Town’ at the Oxygen music festival in Ireland, 2004.

Brian Robertson reunited with his old Thin Lizzy band mates for a tribute show in memory of frontman ‘Phil Lynott’ under the leadership of Gary Moore. Gary Moore and Robertson played a number of Gary and Thin Lizzy classic cuts with the band mates Scott Gorham, Brian Downey, Jonathan Noyce bassist of British Rock group Jethro Tull and Eric Bell.

Brian Robertson and the Thin Lizzy Band

BRIAN ROBERTSON GUITAR COLLECTION:

• Gibson Les Paul
• Les Paul Custom
• Sunburst Les Paul Deluxe
• Fender Stratocaster
• Travis Bean aluminium neck guitar
• SG Junior
• Black Les Paul custom

Brian Robertson's wah-pedal is a UK made Colorsound. However, he has used Cry Baby wah and Vox wah-pedals in 1980s.

BRIAN ROBERTSON DISCOGRAPHY:

• Night Life - (1974)
• Fighting - (1975)
• Jailbreak - (1976)
• Johnny the Fox - (1976)
• Bad Reputation - (1977)
• Live and Dangerous - (1978)
• First Album - (1980)
• Stand Your Ground - (1981)
• Another Perfect Day - (1983)
• Motorhead - Live 1983 - (1991)