Setzer, former frontman of the Stray Cats, performed three Christmas-themed songs with his Brian Setzer Orchestra on Monday night during a sold-out concert at Isleta Resort and Casino. He then left the stage.
An announcer came onstage at about 9 p.m. and said the 50-year-old Setzer was ill and had been taken to an undisclosed hospital.
Petra Morris of Albuquerque and her boyfriend arrived at the show a little late. She had never seen Setzer in concert and was looking forward to the performance.
"As we walked in, he was playing what turned out to be the last song. I think I got about two minutes of it," she said. "He was up there playing and then he sat down quite heavily, got up, finished playing and then walked off."
Many in the crowd - some dressed in vintage suits in honor of Setzer's style - said the performer looked shaky as he left the stage. The band played one more song after Setzer left.
"There were a lot of dedicated fans there," Morris said. "Hopefully, he'll come back."