Stray Cats Return To Late Night After 36 Years With ‘Rock This Town’ On ‘Fallon’

The Stray Cats are back at full strength, and the legendary rockabilly trio proved it with a rousing return to late night television. Original members guitarist Brian Setzer, upright bassist Lee Rocker and drummer Slim Jim Phantom appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday, performing one of the group’s signature songs, “Rock This Town.”

The appearance marked the Stray Cats’ first live late night television performance in more than 35 years. The trio’s last late night TV performance came in 1990, when they appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman.

Stray Cats’ visit to Fallon came at the end of the group’s summer tour. The summer run and a recently announced fall trek spanning November 9 through December 6, represents a particularly welcome return to the road for Setzer. The guitarist and vocalist was forced to cancel the Stray Cats’ 2025 tour after an autoimmune disorder made playing guitar a significant challenge.

Setzer is since in better health and has been excited to once again perform with Rocker and Phantom.

“It’s good to be healthy and strong again,” Setzer said in a statement. “There’s something about the unique sound of The Stray Cats that keeps drawing me in. The Gretsch guitar, the acoustic bass, and the stand-up drums still sound pure and fresh today. Come on out and have some fun with us this summer.”

Watch the Stray Cats perform “Rock This Town” on The Tonight Show: