Stray Cats are back and finally playing Westbury Music Fair

The Stray Cats appear to have nine lives. The rockabilly trio from Massapequa is returning to Long Island after a six-year absence to take care of some unfinished business. Even though they released several albums and toured the globe multiple times during their 47 years, the band has never played Westbury Music Fair. That ends on Nov. 5 when the Cats headline the venue.

"When we were kids, we associated that theater with artists like Frankie Valli. It wasn’t a place that rock bands played," drummer Slim Jim Phantom said in a phone interview. "The idea that it still exists is just awesome. We can’t wait to do the show."

Bassist Lee Rocker added in a separate interview by phone: "The Westbury Music Fair gig is really a special one for the three of us. The place will be packed with family, friends and all the fans that have been there for us over the years. It’s going to be a blast!"

Brian bounces back

The announcement of a new tour was a welcome surprise in the wake of news earlier this year that guitarist Brian Setzer had been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, which caused him to experience cramping in his hands and drastically impacted his guitar playing.

"Brian is the type of guy who plays the guitar all the time. For him not to have that outlet is like a fish who can’t swim. It was scary," Phantom, 64, said. "But he got it properly diagnosed and received the right treatment. It’s a miracle."

Once Setzer, 66, received the green light from his doctor, the Cats were ready to hit the road playing hits like "Rock This Town," "Stray Cat Strut" and “(She’s) Sexy + 17."

"We’ve been doing a tour every couple years and it felt right to do it again this year," Rocker, 64, said. "The band is kind of like having a hot rod in the garage. You’ve got to take it out for a spin every once in a while."

LI roots

The Stray Cats formed when they were teenagers growing up within blocks of each other and rehearsing in Rocker’s parents’ garage. They would play local gigs at Arthur’s Pub in Massapequa, TK’s in Amityville, Arrows in Bellmore and Heckle and Jeckle’s in Massapequa Park.

"We would perform at a local venue every Wednesday for a month," Rocker recalled. "The first Wednesday 25 people showed, the next Wednesday there would be 100. By the third Wednesday, the line to get in was running down the block. It just worked."

Their throwback sound focused on rockabilly, which blends rock and roll with country music.

"There was such corporate rock going on at the time with massive lighting rigs and 15-piece drum sets. That just wasn’t what we were into," Rocker said. "Rockabilly was a new discovery for us. We started hitting thrift shops looking for vintage clothes because the music is a look, a sound and a haircut. Rockabilly is organic and not synthesized or tampered with."

The trio, which is one of a handful of bands still performing with all of its original members, equates its endurance to a special chemistry.

"The Stray Cats is a three-ring circus," Rocker said. "There is this magic between the three of us when we walk out onstage and play. I haven’t been able to put my finger on exactly what it is, but it’s been that way since Day One."

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.