Stray Cats And The Photo Of A 17-Year-Old Brian Setzer Playing With A Broken String At Cbgb

April 2, 2025

The lights were dim and the atmosphere at CBGB was electric, filled with the raw energy of New York City in the late 1970s. It was a rainy October night in 1977, and the tiny, iconic club was packed with punk rock fans eager to see what would happen when a young band called the Stray Cats took the stage. Among them was a 17-year-old Brian Setzer, dressed in a tight leather jacket and slicked-back hair, clutching his guitar like a lifeline. This was a moment he had dreamed of, but just as he was about to start strumming, disaster struck: one of his guitar strings snapped.

The crowd gasped, and for a brief moment, Brian felt a wave of panic wash over him. Here he was, ready to captivate the audience, and now this! His fingers hovered over the fretboard, the sharp sound of the broken string ringing in his ears like a cruel joke. But instead of succumbing to embarrassment, Brian took a deep breath. He remembered why he loved music in the first place: the freedom it brought him and the joy of sharing it with others. With a spark of determination, he raised his chin, looked out at the crowd, and announced, “Well, I guess it’s time for some rock ‘n’ roll magic!”

Brian quickly adapted his playing style, focusing on the remaining strings and pouring his heart into the performance. With every chord, the audience felt his passion and resilience. They cheered louder, feeding off his energy, and by the end of the set, the crowd was on their feet, shouting and clapping as if the broken string had been part of the show all along. In that moment, something changed within Brian. He realized that music was about more than technical perfection; it was about connection, emotion, and the ability to turn obstacles into opportunities.

After that night, the Stray Cats gained momentum, slowly but surely becoming a staple in the rockabilly and punk scenes. Brian’s ability to improvise during that show became a defining moment in his career. It taught him that every setback could be transformed into something beautiful, a lesson he carried with him for years to come. The Stray Cats eventually released hit albums and toured internationally, but Brian never forgot that night at CBGB. The broken string became a symbol of resilience, a reminder that true rock stars don’t just play music—they live it.

Years later, as he looked back at that photo of himself at CBGB, guitar in hand and a spark in his eye, Brian felt a wave of nostalgia. That young boy with the broken string had grown up to become an influential musician, but the essence of that moment remained with him. He understood that music was a journey, filled with ups and downs, and it was his job to bring light to both. So whenever he found himself facing challenges, he remembered the power of passion and resilience. Brian Setzer had not only strummed through difficulties; he had turned them into an anthem of his own.