<\/p>\n
\n\tRockabilly 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\u2019s diagnosis of an autoimmune disease.<\/p>\n
\n\tSetzer first revealed news of his condition<\/a> in February, explaining that upon the completion of the Stray Cats\u2019 2024 summer tour, he began to experience cramping hands and a diminished ability to play guitar.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI\u2019ve since discovered that I have an auto-immune disease. I cannot play guitar,\u201d Setzer revealed on social media. \u201cThere 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\u2019t even do that.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cLuckily, I have the best hospital in the world down the block from me. It\u2019s called the Mayo Clinic. I know I will beat this, it will just take some time.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe following month, Setzer provided a positive update<\/a> as he explained he is \u201cgetting better day by day\u201d and making \u201cexcellent\u201d progress. \u201cMy 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.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tNow, Setzer\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \n\tSetzer first rose to fame at the start of the \u201880s 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 \u201cRock This Town\u201d and \u201cStray Cat Strut\u201d from their 1981 self-titled debut), the group split in 1984 before reforming two years later.<\/p>\n