Stray Cat Lee Rocker took inspiration from bull bass pioneers like Bill Haley & His Comets’ bassist Marshall Lytle and Elvis Presley sideman Bill Black and developed a nitro-fuelled style that inspired countless others to follow in his brothel creeper-clad footsteps.

Here’s a short lesson with the man himself. For more inspiration listen to classic Cat cuts like Rock This Town, Stray Cat Strut and Lee’s excellent solo record, Black Cat Bone. There are some amazing upright slappers on the rockabilly scene - John ‘Spaz’ Hatton of The Brian Setzer Orchestra springs to mind - but Lee Rocker is still the daddy-o...

Band: Stray Cats

Gear: Various uprights

More info:www.leerocker.com

Listen: Stray Cats - Mystery Train (live)