Mr. Big (American band)

Mr. Big
Company type	Rock band
Industry	Music
Founded	1988 in Los Angeles, United States
Founder	Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert, Billy Sheehan, Pat Torpey
Headquarters	Los Angeles, United States
Products	Music albums, live performances

Mr. Big was a rock ensemble from the United States, established in Los Angeles in 1988. The original members included Eric Martin on vocals, Paul Gilbert handling guitar duties, Billy Sheehan playing bass, and Pat Torpey on drums. While primarily recognized for their hard rock sound, the band also earned praise for their melodic ballads featuring powerful singing and harmonies. Among their most notable tracks are the worldwide chart-topping hit "To Be with You" released in 1992, along with "Just Take My Heart". Their band name was inspired by a song originally performed by Free, which they later covered on their 1993 album Bump Ahead.

Despite facing internal difficulties and evolving musical trends, Mr. Big maintained a strong following for over ten years, producing four studio albums: Mr. Big (1989), Lean into It (1991), Bump Ahead (1993), and Hey Man (1996). After guitarist Paul Gilbert departed in 1999, Richie Kotzen joined the group and contributed to two subsequent albums: Get Over It (1999) and Actual Size (2001). The band ultimately dissolved in 2002.

In response to fan enthusiasm, the original lineup reunited in 2009 and embarked on their first tour since reuniting in Japan. The following year saw the release of What If..., marking their first studio effort in fifteen years. During the production of ...The Stories We Could Tell (2014), Pat Torpey was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which restricted his ability to tour extensively. Their ninth album, Defying Gravity (2017), was the last to feature Torpey; most drumming responsibilities were covered by Matt Starr. After Torpey’s passing in 2018, the band took a hiatus before staging a farewell tour in 2023 with former Spock's Beard drummer and vocalist Nick D'Virgilio, who also participated in their tenth and final album, Ten (2024).

Mr. Big is often cited as an example of the "Big in Japan" phenomenon, achieving significantly greater commercial success within the Japanese market compared to many of their contemporaries. Although sometimes categorized as a one-hit wonder due to the prominence of "To Be with You," they have consistently enjoyed popularity in Japan throughout their career.

Formation and debut album (1988–1990)

Following bassist Billy Sheehan’s departure from David Lee Roth’s band in 1988, he began putting together a new project with assistance from Mike Varney of Shrapnel Records, a label known for its focus on shredding guitar styles. Sheehan enlisted vocalist Eric Martin, who had released solo work under Capitol Records, including "I Can't Stop the Fire," a track recorded alongside Neal Schon for the 1984 film Teachers. Initially, Sheehan intended to recruit guitarist Steve Stevens and drummer Gregg Bissonette, but Stevens opted to continue with his project Atomic Playboys, while Bissonette remained with Roth's band. Subsequently, guitarist Paul Gilbert, formerly of heavy metal outfit Racer X, joined the lineup, followed by drummer Pat Torpey, completing the group. Torpey brought extensive session experience from working with artists such as Impellitteri, Ted Nugent, and The Knack.

Acting on Martin’s recommendation, the band appointed manager Herbie Herbert, who had previously managed Martin’s solo endeavors and worked with notable acts including Santana, Journey, and Europe. Various potential names were considered before Torpey proposed "Mr. Big," inspired by the song from Free.

By 1989, Mr. Big secured a deal with Atlantic Records and released their debut self-titled album, which narrowly missed entering the US top 40 but achieved notable success in Japan. In June 1990, they served as opening act for Rush during their Presto Tour. Additionally, two songs—"Strike Like Lightning" and "Shadows"—were exclusively featured on the soundtrack of the August 1990 action film Navy SEALs.

Rise to Prominence and Peak Success (1991–1997)

The release of Mr. Big's sophomore album, Lean Into It in 1991, represented a significant commercial achievement, propelled by the hit ballads "To Be with You"—which reached number one in fifteen nations—and "Just Take My Heart," alongside the track "Green-Tinted Sixties Mind." Their UK tours in 1991 and 1992 were complemented by the 1992 live album Mr. Big Live, and they also served as the opening act for Aerosmith at London's Wembley Arena.

In 1993, their rendition of Cat Stevens' "Wild World", featured on their third album Bump Ahead, climbed to No. 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Although associated with the soundtrack for the Sega Mega-CD game The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin, those particular recordings involved Eric Martin collaborating with Sega-contracted musicians rather than the full band.

The band’s 1996 album Hey Man included the track "Take Cover," which appeared on the soundtrack for the animated series Mega Man. While their popularity in the United States declined during this period, Mr. Big experienced a surge in fanbase across Japan and broader Asia, resulting in sold-out tours and several live album releases aimed specifically at this audience, illustrating the "Big in Japan" effect. Notably, the live album Live At Budokan was exclusively distributed in Japan. By this stage, the group entered a hiatus as members engaged in separate ventures, eventually leading to a temporary breakup in 1997.

Personnel Shift and Disbandment (1999–2002)

In 1999, Paul Gilbert exited Mr. Big to revive Racer X, with Richie Kotzen, formerly of Poison, stepping in as his replacement. This new formation produced two studio albums: Get Over It (1999) and Actual Size (2001). The Japanese launch of Get Over It included the single "Superfantastic," which attracted moderate attention. The band embarked on extensive tours across Japan, highlighted by a New Year's Eve performance alongside Aerosmith at Osaka Dome. The album’s US release followed in 2000, accompanied by a short club tour. Although music videos for "Electrified" and "Superfantastic" were filmed, they remained unreleased due to licensing complications.

Actual Size was introduced to Asian markets in 2001, achieving a peak position of number three on regional charts; its lead single "Shine" reached number one and served as the closing theme for the anime series Hellsing.

Internal conflicts emerged when bassist Billy Sheehan toured with Steve Vai, leading Eric Martin, Richie Kotzen, and Pat Torpey to compose material without his involvement; Sheehan was credited on only two tracks from Actual Size. Disputes intensified during the filming of the "Shine" video, prompting Martin and Torpey to pursue Sheehan's removal from the group. Despite feeling marginalized, Sheehan agreed to participate in a farewell tour. After completing this final series of shows, Mr. Big officially disbanded in February 2002 and issued a formal farewell message in May.

Reformation and Subsequent Releases (2009–2017)

On May 13, 2008, an almost complete Mr. Big reunion took place at Los Angeles’ House of Blues, where Paul Gilbert performed alongside Pat Torpey, Richie Kotzen, and Billy Sheehan on Humble Pie's "30 Days in the Hole" and Mr. Big's "Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy." The positive reception motivated them to reach out to Eric Martin, leading to an official reunion of the original lineup. This was publicly confirmed via radio on February 1, 2009, coinciding with celebrations marking twenty years since their debut album. A press event held in Japan generated considerable enthusiasm ahead of a June tour spanning ten venues including Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan. Their first reunion concert outside Japan occurred in Tallinn, Estonia, in September 2009 before continuing their tour schedule. The band also performed to large audiences during an October 2009 tour across Indian cities such as Bangalore, Dimapur, and Shillong.

In September 2010, Mr. Big recorded their seventh studio effort under producer Kevin Shirley near Los Angeles. The album What If... was released first in Japan on December 15, 2010; followed by Europe on January 21, 2011; and finally the United States in February 2011—representing their first new material after nearly ten years. The supporting tour commenced at Hollywood’s House of Blues on April 2, 2011 and concluded at Istanbul’s Rockout Festival in October of that year. Additionally, they appeared at June’s Download Festival. A music video for "Undertow," directed by Vicente and Fernando Cordero, was premiered alongside the album.

Their eighth studio record, ...The Stories We Could Tell, arrived on September 30, 2014 via Frontiers Records with production handled by Pat Regan—the first time since 1999’s Get Over It. During the world tour promoting this album, drummer Matt Starr from Burning Rain, who had previously collaborated with artists like Ace Frehley and Joe Lynn Turner, substituted for Pat Torpey due to health issues. The ninth studio release titled Defying Gravity, recorded over six days in Los Angeles and launched on July 21, 2017 featured Starr again behind the drums as Torpey’s Parkinson’s disease limited his playing contributions to select tracks; Torpey remained involved as drum producer throughout the recording process.

Passing of Pat Torpey, farewell tour with a new drummer, and the release of Ten (2018–2025)

Drummer Pat Torpey passed away on February 7, 2018, at the age of 64 due to complications related to Parkinson's disease. His final performance took place at Wulfrun Hall in Wolverhampton on November 23, 2017. A tribute concert was held on May 23, 2018, in Agoura Hills, California, which featured former member Richie Kotzen alongside an all-star lineup including Matt Sorum, Dave Amato, Ricky Phillips, and others.

In October 2018, Eric Martin suggested the band was considering producing one last album before disbanding, expressing difficulty in continuing without Torpey. However, this project did not come to fruition, leading the group to enter a period of inactivity as members engaged in separate endeavors. By January 2021, Billy Sheehan confirmed that the band remained together but had no immediate plans for new work. He also voiced dissatisfaction with the mastering of Defying Gravity, attributing its premature release to the record label despite assurances of final mixes.

By August 2022, Sheehan disclosed that the band was seriously contemplating performances in 2023 with Matt Starr returning as drummer. Eventually, they decided against continuing with Starr due to his vocal range differing from Torpey's and announced that a new drummer would be introduced soon. Eric Martin affirmed intentions to tour in 2023 but remained uncertain about recording new songs.

In March 2023, Nick D'Virgilio was announced as the touring drummer for "The Big Finish Tour" spanning 2023–24. Although this tour was billed as a farewell, Martin revealed in November 2023 that the band was working on fresh material for their tenth studio album. The album titled Ten was officially released on July 12, 2024.

Mr. Big concluded their Big Finish Farewell Tour with a final show on August 23, 2024, at the Way Too Far Rock Festival in Romania. Subsequently, on February 11, 2025, they announced four last performances scheduled in India and Japan later that month, culminating on February 25 in Tokyo.

Band members

Eric Martin – lead vocals, acoustic guitar (1988–2002, 2009–2025)
Billy Sheehan – bass guitar, backing vocals (1988–2002, 2009–2025)
Pat Torpey – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1988–2002, 2009–2018; deceased)
Paul Gilbert – guitar, backing vocals (1988–1999, 2009–2025)
Richie Kotzen – guitar, lead and backing vocals (1999–2002; guest appearance in 2018)
Matt Starr – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2018; touring member 2014–2018)
Nick D'Virgilio – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2023–2025)

Touring musicians

Troy Luccketta – drums (1988)
Michele Luppi – co-lead and backing vocals (2024)
Edu Cominato – drums (2024)

Discography

Studio albums

Mr. Big (1989)
Lean into It (1991)
Bump Ahead (1993)
Hey Man (1996)
Get Over It (1999)
Actual Size (2001)
What If... (2011)
...The Stories We Could Tell (2014)
Defying Gravity (2017)
Ten (2024)

External links