The First Time Brian Setzer Plugged Into A Marshall Stack — And Blew The Power

April 1, 2025

Brian Setzer was nervous as he stood backstage, his fingers tracing the curves of his beloved Gretsch guitar. It was the late 1980s, and he was about to perform with the Stray Cats, the band that had shot him to fame with their rockabilly sound. He had dreamed of this moment for years, but tonight was special. They were set to play at a massive venue in front of thousands of fans, and Brian had decided to plug into a brand new Marshall stack he had never used before. The excitement bubbled inside him, but so did a hint of anxiety. This was a big moment, and he wanted to impress everyone.

As he stepped onto the stage, the pulsating lights were blinding, and the roar of the crowd sent a thrill through him. He took a deep breath and made his way to the front, the Marshall stack looming behind him, a beast ready to unleash vast sounds. A quick glance over to his bandmates reassured him; they were just as pumped. But as he struck the first chord, something unexpected happened. A loud crackle filled the air, and before he knew it, the entire sound system went dead. The bright lights flickered and then vanished, leaving the audience in stunned silence.

In that moment, disappointment washed over Brian. Had he really just blown the power on the very first note? He could almost hear the murmurs of the crowd, the excitement fading as they wondered what had gone wrong. But as he looked out at the sea of faces, he felt something shift inside him. Instead of retreating in embarrassment, he took a deep breath, letting his passion for music surge through him. He grabbed his mic and started to speak to the audience, his voice cutting through the awkward silence. “Hey everyone, let’s turn this into a party!” he said with a grin, his charisma bringing smiles back to their faces.

Emboldened by their cheers, Brian decided to go unplugged. He started strumming his guitar, singing a classic rockabilly tune with all his heart. The crowd responded, clapping along and singing back to him. It was an incredible moment of connection, and even though he had faced a setback, he transformed it into something magical. That night, he learned that music wasn’t just in the wires and amps; it lived in the hearts of people. It was about the energy shared between him and the audience, and that was stronger than any amplifier.

As the show went on, the sound crew managed to fix the issues, and Brian was back in action, playing with even more intensity. The Marshall stack roared to life, but the night was forever marked by that initial power blow. After the show, he was bombarded with applause, people telling him how much they appreciated his ability to turn a disaster into a celebration. It wasn’t just another gig for Brian; it was a lesson in resilience and spontaneity.

From that day on, Brian Setzer carried that spirit with him. His career exploded after that night, and he became known not only as a talented musician but also as a performer who could handle anything life threw at him. He often reflected on that experience, understanding that the true magic of music lay in its unpredictability and its power to unite people. He inspired countless others to embrace their passions, reminding them that even when things go wrong, it’s how you respond that matters most.