Concert Review: The Stray Cats at Northfield Park Racino: 45 Years Later, Still Cool

I've avoided legacy acts for years. I wanted to keep those bands frozen in time the way I first knew them. But The Stray Cats broke that rule.

Northfield Park Racino's Center Stage on August 12th was the right room for rockabilly, close enough that you feel it. Most of the 1400 people there probably became fans in 1981 when "Stray Cat Strut" and "Rock This Town" landed on MTV.

It was a real treat to see all of the original members: Brian Setzer on guitar, Lee Rocker on upright bass, and Slim Jim Phantom on drums.

They opened with "Please Don't Touch," a Johnny Kidd and the Pirates cover. What followed was a 22-song set that drew from their nine studio albums, playing all the hits and deep cuts alongside rockabilly standards: Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Elvis, including "Jailhouse Rock." By the time they hit their stride, these guys weren't coasting.

What struck me most was the youthful energy. I really noticed when they dug into Stray Cat Strut. Whether it was Lee Rocker twirling and slapping his bass or Slim Jim Phantom standing and slamming his drums or Setzer working that beautiful Gretsch guitar with the twang and bite of Eddie Cochran, the entire crowd sang along. It was a big rockabilly party from that point forward.

Ninety tight minutes. The original trio. Forty-five years later, they still had it.

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