A beloved 80s legend shared the heartbreaking announcement in a social media post.

A beloved 80s icon said he can no longer play his guitar (Image: GETTY)

Brian Setzer, the guitarist and singer for the Stray Cats and the Brian Setzer Orchestra, revealed he can no longer play his guitar due to a disease.

The 65-year-old musician took to Instagram on Thursday and shared the devastating news with his 157,000 followers, who rushed to support him.

Sharing a series of photos playing his beloved instrument, he explained: “Hi everybody,

“I just wanted to check in with you all. Towards the end of the last Stray Cats tour I noticed that my hands were cramping up. I’ve since discovered that I have an auto-immune disease. I cannot play guitar.

“There is no pain, but it feels like I am wearing a pair of gloves when I try to play. I have seen some progress in that I can hold a pen and tie my shoes.”

Brian Setzer rose to fame in the 1980s (Image: Getty)

He continued: “I know this sounds ridiculous, but I was at a point where I couldn’t even do that. Luckily, I have the best hospital in the world down the block from me. It’s called the Mayo Clinic. I know I will beat this, it will just take some time.”

The rocker signed off: “I love you all, Brian.”

Fans flocked to the comment section as one person said: “Oh my heart. Please Please God. Praying for healing and dexterity. We love you Brian!”

Another remarked: “[Tears emoji] if anyone is truly The Guitar Man it is you Brian. Best wishes.”

Brian Setzer performing at the 02 Academy in Birmingham (Image: Getty)

Brian Setzer is currently seeking medical treatment (Image: Getty)

A third said: “Say it ain’t so @briansetzer59 Gutted to read this and I sure hope they can sort ya. The world needs those hands working.”

“Wishing you a speedy recovery. Keep up the good fight,” another penned.

While a fifth added: “End of the world…for me a guitar hurting in this man’s hands is the end of things.”

Brian – who lives in Minneapolis – landed his first hit songs with the 1980s band The Stray Cats. Their self-titled debut album had two hit singles: Stray Cat Strut and Rock This Town.

In 1987, he made a cameo appearance as Eddie Cochran in the film La Bamba.

The band called it quits in 1984.

The musician then went out on his own and then subsequently developed the highly regarded Brian Setzer Orchestra in the 1990s.

Their hits songs were Jump, Jive, Wail, Sleep Walk, and The Dirty Boogie. His last solo album was The Devil Always Collects from 2023.