Brian Setzer Says He ‘Cannot Play Guitar’ Anymore Following Autoimmune Disease Diagnosis (2025)
Setzer said the effects of his illness became apparent during the Stray Cats’ 2024 summer tour, the group’s first road stint in five years
March 21, 2025
Brian Setzer is on the mend. After revealing earlier this year that an autoimmune disease had robbed him of his ability to play guitar, the rockabilly icon now says he’s making “excellent” progress and remains hopeful for a return to performing.
Stray Cats frontman Brian Setzer’s autoimmune disease has left him unable to play guitar
The Grammy award-winner announced he has an autoimmune disease on his social media
By Elizabeth Stanton
Fox News
Published February 17, 2025
Brian Setzer, the guitarist and singer for the Stray Cats and the Brian Setzer Orchestra, has revealed he has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. 
In a recent post to Instagram, Setzer shared close-up pictures of his hands playing guitar, explaining, “Towards the end of the last Stray Cats tour I noticed that my hands were cramping up. I’ve since discovered that I have an auto-immune disease. I cannot play guitar.”
He continued, “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.”
Gen X Playlist 
You must be logged in to post a comment.