Stray Cats And The Handwritten Setlist From Their First London Gig, Now Framed In A Fan’S Garage

April 2, 2025

In a quiet corner of a cluttered garage, a framed piece of yellowed paper hung on the wall, encased in a dusty glass frame. It was a handwritten setlist from the Stray Cats’ first gig in London back in 1981, a night that would mark the beginning of their remarkable journey. The fan who owned it, a lively woman named Sheila, always said that the moment she laid eyes on that setlist, she could feel the heartbeat of rock ‘n’ roll pulsing through the ink. Sheila had been there that night, a wide-eyed teenager, hardly able to believe she was watching a band destined for greatness right before her eyes.

The night of the Stray Cats’ performance was electric. The iconic venue, The Marquee Club, was packed to the brim with fans hungry for something fresh and exciting. Sheila, squeezing her way to the front, felt the energy in the air as Brian Setzer strummed his guitar like a wild man, his pompadour bouncing with every note. She could hardly contain her excitement as they launched into “Rock This Town,” the song that would soon become a timeless anthem for countless music lovers. With the audience swaying and dancing, Sheila felt as though she was part of something bigger, a community, a celebration of life through music.

After the show, as the crowds dispersed, Sheila spotted a piece of paper fluttering near the stage. It was the setlist, crumpled but still readable. In a moment of spontaneity, she scooped it up, knowing it was more than just a list of songs—it was a piece of history. The Stray Cats went on to become a defining band of the rockabilly revival, their sound blending punk energy with the classic vibes of 1950s rock, but for Sheila, that night in London was the moment everything changed. She often thought about how dreamers like Brian, Lee, and Slim had taken their passion and transformed it into something that resonated with so many, proving that resilience and grit could take you further than anyone could imagine.

As the years rolled by, the Stray Cats enjoyed phenomenal success, their music echoing through radio waves and jukeboxes worldwide. They inspired countless other musicians and revived a genre thought to be fading away. Each time Sheila looked at that framed setlist, it was a reminder of the power of dreams. It whispered stories of the struggles they faced in the beginning, the countless gigs in small venues, and the faithful journey of believing in themselves even when the world seemed indifferent. She felt a deep connection to their story, fueled by her own battles as she navigated the ups and downs of life.

Even today, whenever Sheila shares the tale of that night, she feels a spark within her. The story of the Stray Cats is more than just about a band; it symbolizes passion, perseverance, and the belief that music can change lives. The framed setlist, with its smudged ink and imperfect edges, represents the beauty in the struggle. It serves as a constant reminder that no dream is too big and that every moment, every note played on stage, can lead to something extraordinary. In the echoes of rock ‘n’ roll, Sheila found not just memories of her youth, but a lesson in hope—one that she carries with her always.