The Stray Cats Reunite for Summer U.S. Tour

The Stray Cats members, from left, Lee Rocker, Brian Setzer, Slim Jim Phantom in Hollywood in 1983 (Publicity photo).

LOS ANGELES – The original lineup of The Stray Cats, is reuniting for shows at Ribfest in Naperville, IL on July 4and the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa on Aug. 17.

The band, which came to fame in the 1980s with a string of 50s-style rockabilly hits is planning the shows as part of a tour that is the band’s first in more than a decade. The band’s original members, Lee Rocker, Brian Setzer, Slim Jim Phantomreunited on stage last on April 21, for their first North American performance in 10 years.

The band was formed in 1979 by guitarist and vocalist Brian Setzer, double bassist Lee Rocker, and drummer Slim Jim Phantom in Massapequa, New York in Long Island. The band had several hit singles in the UK, Australia, Canada and the U.S. including "Stray Cat Strut", "(She's) Sexy + 17", "Look at That Cadillac," "I Won't Stand in Your Way", "Bring it Back Again", and "Rock This Town", which the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has listed as one of the songs that shaped rock and roll.