10 MINUTES WITH
Lee Rocker THE STRAY CATS BASSIST AND SOLO ARTIST CONTINUES TO ROCK THIS TOWN AND BEYOND .
By SHARON STELLO
Lee Rocker , a Laguna Beach resident and rockabilly musician
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A cclaimed bass player and Laguna Beach resident Lee Rocker is still strutting his stuff , slapping and spinning his giant upright bass in concerts from San Juan Capistrano to Canada .
Rocker , who has gone solo with about a dozen albums and nationwide tours , is part of the Grammy-nominated band Stray Cats , the popular rockabilly revival trio formed in the late 1970s and known for hits like “ Stray Cat Strut ” and “ Rock this Town .”
Born Leon Drucker , he eventually became known as Lee Rocker . Originally from New York , his parents were both well-known clarinet players , but Rocker gravitated toward stringed instruments from cello to bass guitar and upright double bass .
“ My father , Stanley Drucker , was a musical prodigy and the first [ chair ] clarinet for the New York Philharmonic for 61 years ,” Rocker shares . “[ My ] mom , Naomi , was a clarinetist and professor at Hofstra University , so I think my decision to play bass and rock and roll was 50 % rebellion and 50 % me just playing the music I love .”
The Stray Cats really took off when Rocker moved with guitarist / vocalist Brian Setzer and drummer Slim Jim Phantom to London . Later , Rocker came to California , eventually settling in Laguna .
“ My wife , Deborah , and I moved to Laguna Beach in 1990 ,” Rocker recalls . “ My wife ’ s father lived in town and we just fell in love with Laguna . We were about to have our first child and he told us , ‘ Get out of LA and move to Laguna — it ’ s a great place to raise a family .’ We did , and he was right .”
When not traveling , Rocker can be found at some of his favorite restaurants in town , from Brussels Bistro to 230 Forest Avenue , La Sirena Grill and O Fine Japanese Cuisine . Rocker also sometimes shares his musical talents locally , at least once guest starring with the Laguna Community Concert Band . And , in 2011 , he received the Visionary Award from the Laguna Beach Alliance for the Arts at its annual Art Stars Awards ceremony .
Among many other accolades , Rocker has recorded or performed with music legends including George Harrison and Ringo Starr of The Beatles , Willie Nelson , Leon Russell , John Fogerty and Carl Perkins .
In 2021 , music from his latest album , the critically acclaimed “ Gather Round ,” was used in a rock ballet commissioned by Laguna Dance Festival and performed by Complexions
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Contemporary Ballet . That same year , Rocker performed at the Library of Congress and the First Lady ’ s Luncheon for Jill Biden .
“ That was epic for me . I ’ ve been fortunate to have an amazing career and performing in Washington , D . C ., for the First Lady … and members of Congress and the Senate at the Library of Congress was one of the high points . I ’ ve spent my life playing rockabilly — a uniquely American music — and was moved to perform in the capital .” No matter where his career takes him , Rocker always returns to Laguna . What keeps him coming back ? “ Well , that ’ s easy — the beauty , the beaches , the people ,” he says . “ Laguna Beach is one of the few places that still maintains its uniqueness . It has character and personality . It ’ s not like anywhere else . Let ’ s all work to keep Laguna weird .”
LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE : What do you love about playing music ? LEE ROCKER : Playing music , for me , is going to another place in my mind where other thoughts vanish . I am immersed in sound . It ’ s another world . I think it ’ s similar to meditation or swimming in the ocean . It ’ s bigger than one ’ s self .
LBM : What inspires you and your music ? LR : Everything from memories and emotions to books , politics and everyday life
LBM : What kind of music do you listen to ? LR : Classic rock , jazz , blues , opera — I ’ m a lover of all genres .
LBM : In addition to touring for performances , are you working on any new albums ? LR : I ’ d like to release a new record in 2024 . My last one , “ Gather Round ,” dropped in 2020 , so I ’ m due .
LBM : Any other hobbies ? LR : My favorite thing to do is spend time with my wife , Deborah . When not on tour or home in Laguna Beach , we love to travel around the country in our Airstream RV . I do have other hobbies and they are all inspired by my family . I ’ m a runner ; Laguna is an amazing place to run . My son , Justin , is truly the runner athlete and he has inspired me to hit the streets . My daughter , Sadie , is an artist and wherever we are in the world , we hit the museums . g
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