10 Best Classic Rock Intros Of The 1980s
8. Stray Cat Strut - Stray Cats
The success of Stray Cats spawned a huge rockabilly revival in the early '80s. They first tasted success in the UK before this, their third single, caught the imagination of fans back in the US and started their run of Stateside chart successes.
The common theme amongst the acts on this list is that they all had a striking image and were perfectly poised to capitalise on their visual appeal - the cartoon sized quiffs Stray Cats sported took fifties cool into a new dimension.
'Stray Cat Strut' is the song everybody knows by the band. Virtuoso guitarist Brian Setzer's opening guitar run sets up a a cool, swinging groove that sounded unlike anything at all on the radio in the '80s. Setzer has continued to have hits under the banner of the Brian Setzer Orchestra since the Stray Cats disbanded, although Stray Cats celebrated their 40th anniversary last year.
Reforming for a celebratory tour and a new album, '40', it's as strong as anything they've released.