The 65-year-old rocker said it felt like he was wearing a pair of gloves while playing the guitar.
Brian Setzer, renowned guitarist and frontman of the Stray Cats group, has revealed that he was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, impacting his ability to play guitar.
The 65-year-old musician first noticed symptoms of the condition during the Stray Cats’ 2024 summer tour, which ran from late July to mid-August. “Towards the end of the last Stray Cats tour, I noticed that my hands were cramping up,” he
wrote in a post on social media platform X on Feb. 13.
After undergoing medical evaluations, Setzer confirmed that he had been diagnosed with an autoimmune condition. “I’ve since discovered that I have an auto-immune disease. I cannot play guitar,” he stated. While he did not specify the exact condition, he described the sensation as feeling like “wearing a pair of gloves” when attempting to play, though he clarified that he does not experience pain.
Despite these challenges, Setzer noted some improvements. “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,” he shared, crediting the Mayo Clinic for his treatment. He remained optimistic about his recovery, stating, “I know I will beat this, it will just take some time.”
Fans and fellow musicians have expressed their support. Guitarist Steve Vai was among those sending well wishes. “Brother Brian, you are a soldier! Take your time, you’re on the mend, and we are all eager for your full recovery to optimum health. Much love to you,” Vai
commented on Instagram.
Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system is more active than usual and damages the body’s own tissues. The
Cleveland Clinic defines such as “health conditions that happen when your immune system attacks your body instead of defending it.” There are over 100 different autoimmune diseases, typically classified into seven categories: joints, muscles, skin, blood vessels, digestive system, endocrine system, and nervous system.
Prior to his announcement, Setzer had been promoting a remastered release of his swing band The Brian Setzer Orchestra’s 2000 album “
Vavoom!” In October, months after completing the Stray Cats’ tour, he announced plans for a solo road trip.
“Going to head up north on the back roads traveling through Field and Farm and enjoying God‘s beautiful country,” he wrote on
Instagram. “When it gets too cold, I’ll turn around. Hopefully the songbird will visit me, and I’ll have some new tunes for us soon, God bless you!”
