Lee Rocker and his bass
Lee Rocker’s name is synonymous with rockabilly cool. Best known as the stand-up bass slappin’ sensation from the Stray Cats, he’s carved out an incredible career marked by chart-topping hits and a dedication to the roots of rock and roll. From the explosive debut of the Stray Cats in the early ’80s to his dynamic solo work and collaborations, Rocker has consistently delivered high-energy performances and unforgettable songs. With the Stray Cats, he achieved phenomenal success, selling over 10 million albums and racking up 23 gold and platinum records, solidifying their place in music history and defining the sound of a generation with iconic Stray Cats Songs.
Beyond the Stray Cats phenomenon, Lee Rocker has continued to explore his musical passions with projects like Phantom, Rocker & Slick, and a critically acclaimed solo career. His mastery of the stand-up acoustic bass is undeniable, but he also commands the electric bass with equal prowess. Bass Player Magazine recognized his immense contribution by featuring him on their cover and bestowing him with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014, declaring him “one of the most influential bass players in the history of Rock and Roll.”
Recently, The Boise Beat had the opportunity to delve into Lee Rocker’s journey, exploring his musical roots, the incredible story behind the Stray Cats, and the stray cats songs that continue to resonate with fans worldwide.
Q: Lee, who were the musicians who first ignited your passion for music?
A: My musical heroes are a mix of rockabilly pioneers and blues legends. Carl Perkins stands out as a monumental influence – not just musically, but personally. He became a dear friend, and his artistry truly shaped my own. As a bass player, Willie Dixon was a game-changer. And Bill Black, Elvis Presley’s bassist on those groundbreaking early records, was another key inspiration in developing my style and approach to the instrument, especially when thinking about the rhythmic backbone of stray cats songs.
Q: The Stray Cats burst onto the scene in 1979. Looking back, did you ever imagine the music you were creating then would still be celebrated today?
A: Seventeen-year-old me in 1979 wasn’t thinking too far ahead! (Laughs) But I’m incredibly grateful for how it all unfolded; it’s been an amazing ride. Things happened so fast for the Stray Cats. We went from New York to London in the summer of ’79, spent about four months living the true starving artist life – parks, bus stops, all-night cinemas – playing every gig we could get. Then, almost overnight, it exploded. The record deal came within months, and suddenly, we were launched. It was like being shot out of a cannon. Those early days were fueled by raw energy and a belief in our music, and we poured that into every performance and every one of our stray cats songs.
Q: “Rockabilly Boogie” from Night Train to Memphis is a fantastic track. What drew you to that song?
A: That song has always been a favorite of mine, originally by the Johnny Burnette Trio. They recorded it back in the ’50s. To me, it’s a definitive rockabilly anthem. If you wanted to introduce someone to the essence of rockabilly, “Rockabilly Boogie” is the perfect starting point. I wanted to really immerse myself in it, have some fun, and bring my own interpretation to it. Night Train to Memphis was a project where I wanted to revisit classic rockabilly and put my own stamp on songs that deeply influenced me, songs that in many ways paved the way for stray cats songs.
Q: Cover Sessions features a diverse selection of songs. “Honky Cat” and “City of New Orleans” are particularly interesting choices. What was the concept behind that album?
A: Cover Sessions was a really enjoyable project, and it’s one of my more recent albums, along with Night Train. I envisioned it as more of an Americana record, in a sense, always anchored by the sound of the upright bass. I wanted to take songs that were part of my musical upbringing – those AM radio hits I listened to as a teenager in my bedroom – and reimagine them, give them a different twist while still retaining the core of what made them great, much like we aimed to put a fresh spin on rockabilly with stray cats songs.
Lee Rocker portrait
Q: You have a collection of stand-up basses. Do you have a go-to instrument?
A: I’ve amassed quite a few basses over the years! I really believe in using the ‘right tool for the job,’ especially in the studio. The choice depends on the sound I’m aiming for. Some of my basses are set up in a very traditional bluegrass style with gut strings, meant to be miked acoustically. Others have steel strings with electric bass pickups. It really varies depending on the sonic texture I want to achieve. For live performances, I look for a bass that’s versatile enough to handle everything I need it to do.
Q: “Slap This Bass,” from Night Train to Memphis, is a fantastic showcase for your bass playing.
A: There aren’t many songs that are explicitly about the bass itself. For Night Train to Memphis, I wanted to create something that was my personal tribute to classic rock and roll and rockabilly. “Slap This Bass” evolved from different riffs and bass solos I’d been playing, and I wanted to combine them into a single track that was all about the instrument. I’m really proud of how that track came together, as it really highlights the role of the bass – the instrument so crucial to the sound of stray cats songs and rockabilly music.
Q: You’ve shared the stage with music legends like Carl Perkins, Scotty Moore, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, and Willie Nelson. Is there a particular story that stands out from those collaborations?
A: There are countless stories… I’ve actually developed a theater concert where I share music and these kinds of stories, with video and anecdotes from my career. Let me give you one that comes to mind. Around ’85, I formed a band with Slim Jim Phantom, my Stray Cats drummer, and Earl Slick, David Bowie’s longtime guitarist. We invited Keith Richards to play on a track, and he agreed. A couple of days later, there’s a knock on the studio door, and Keith walks in with his guitar and a bin full of… stuff! He played on the track, and we had an absolute blast hanging out. The song was called “My Mistake,” and it’s still a favorite of mine. As he was leaving the studio that night, Keith turned back, picked up a leopard print jacket of mine from a chair, put it on, and walked out with it! Apparently, that’s the price of getting a Rolling Stone to play on your record! It’s those kinds of unexpected moments, much like the unpredictable success of stray cats songs, that make a musical life so rich.
Q: Music runs in your family. It must have been an incredible moment when you and your father were both Grammy-nominated in the same year.
A: That was truly a magical and unique moment. My dad, Stanley Drucker, was the principal clarinetist for the New York Philharmonic for over 60 years. He was nominated for Best Classical Soloist With An Orchestra the same year I was nominated for Best New Artist. I believe it’s only happened once or maybe twice in Grammy history. It was an incredibly special thing to share with my father.
Q: Growing up in such a musical family must have been fascinating.
A: The main rule in our house was that everyone had to play an instrument and take lessons. That was one rule I definitely didn’t rebel against! It instilled a deep appreciation for music from a young age, which was fundamental in shaping my path and ultimately leading to the creation of stray cats songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyLzlr5cGXY
Q: “Rock This Town” is an all-time classic. What’s the story behind that iconic song?
A: “Rock This Town” really captured the energy of what was happening with the Stray Cats. From the start, we connected with audiences – every show felt like a party. We’d play a venue for the first time to 30 people, then 100 the next time, and 300 the week after. It just clicked. Our music made people happy, and that made us happy. I think that’s the core of what I want music to be – creating that joyful connection. “Rock This Town” is about that feeling of going out on a Saturday night with your girlfriend, having an amazing time, and just rocking the town. It became, in many ways, the quintessential stray cats songs experience in a nutshell.
Q: Thank you, Lee. We look forward to seeing you in Boise!
For more information about Lee Rocker, his solo projects, and upcoming tour dates, including his show at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach on August 28, please visit www.leerocker.com. You can also find information about Lee Rocker and the Stray Cats at www.straycats.com, where you can explore the timeless catalog of stray cats songs.
