By Clarence Yu
MR. Big, the hard rock supergroup that formed in the 1980’s and yielded the hits “To Be With You” and “Green Tinted Sixties Mind” has reunited.
The band is comprised of bassist Billy Sheehan (of Talas and David Lee Roth Band fame), guitarist Paul Gilbert (formerly Racer X), drummer Pat Torpey (formerly of The Knack) and singer Eric Martin.
The group debuted with their eponymous album in 1989. This album laid the groundwork for their distinct sound: crunching, shredding guitars, precision-pounded drums, booming bass and raspy melodic vocals. Soaring choruses combined with crunch delighted fans of the band the world over.
Wait. This sounds like almost every other band that blossomed out of the 80’s under the rock/heavy metal genre.
What differentiated Mr. Big from other bands of their time was the fact that all of the members had previous successful careers in their own right and that all of them had a knack for writing pop-sensible songs.
Eric Martin’s (who had a semi-successful solo career beforehand) vocals were rough but really melodic, as if he could pass off as Steven Tyler’s younger brother.
Pat Torpey was renowned as an excellent session drummer in his own right, outside of the rock circles. Sheehan and Gilbert in particular, known for their work as guitar virtuosos, had a chance to show their songwriting skill, and it showed. Their follow-up album Lean Into It (1991) yielded the number one hit (albeit acoustic) “To Be With You.”
With the onset of grunge, the band’s popularity waned in the United States; however they maintained their popularity in other parts of the world, most notably in Japan, where their fan base is tremendously huge. Paul Gilbert left the band in 1997, replaced by another guitar virtuoso, Ritchie Kotzen (ex-Poison).
The band recorded two more albums with Kotzen which were released to the Japan market before finally calling it quits in 2002. Rising tensions and solo ventures (as with all others) reportedly caused the break-up. However, the fact that they lasted this long as a supergroup was testimony that this was no fly by night effort.
As of February 2009, the band had announced their reunion with all the original members intact. A tour of Japan is scheduled for June 2009, followed by a possible release of a live DVD. With so many rock revivals, reunions and cross-unions happening, Mr. Big might be riding on a bandwagon, but they are certainly worth your ride as well. Catch this YouTube video of their recent Japanese promotional TV performance of their 1991 song “Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy,” and you might catch my drift.
5 Feedbacks on "Do You Remember Mr. Big?"
Martin Quesada
Hi Clarence,
Thanks for this article. I don’t only remember Mr. Big; I’m still a fan of the band!
I watched them when they came to Manila in 1994 to play in the old Folk Arts Theater. They were on their way to Japan for their “Japandemonium” concert. I was in first year high school then and was addicted to guitar playing. What really captivated me was Paul Gilbert’s lightning speed riffs and Sheehan’s innovative bass playing. ( I still remember Sheehan’s 10 minute solo and display of base-playing prowess).
I’ve long left the guitar but I can still play the green-tinted 60’s mind intro (never fails to impress people), to be with you’s solo, and just take my heart intro…
I was elated by the concert! I even got to watch Alamid (now that’s a question: Do you remember Alamid?! “My china eyes…”) play for the front act.
However, I thought the concert was kinda rushed. I don’t even think they performed for more than one night here in Manila. The concert in Folks Arts was more like a stop-over or warming-up for their Japan tour. They went through their songs really fast. I guess that was the only thing that I found disappointing. It was a great experience nevertheless.
For me, Mr. Big is part of that era where rock bands really had musical talent and guitar virtuosos. You don’t see (or hear) much of that anymore these days.
Rock on Mr. Big!
Martin
p.s. By the way, after “Bump Ahead” and “Hey Man”, was there another album?
Clarence Yu
Hi Martin,
Thank you for sharing your experiences about Mr. Big. They are certainly a great band, and one that was really boxed in by, ironically, their number one hit (”To Be With You.”). A similar band, Extreme, was also a victim of this stigma (”More Than Words”).
Yes, they recorded two more albums, Get Over It and Actual Size. They are good albums as well, recorded with Ritchie Kotzen.
Regards
Clarence Yu
Ardie of Edmonton
Guys,
You will be surprised that Mr. big released several albums which we are not aware of. Even several compilation, one of which is an all ballads compilation (deep Cuts).
I am still into those glam rock era bands which some of them are in the process of reuniting. You can always check in wikipedia for albums that your favorite bands have. That’s where I check even updated news from them.
ichinichi
i was able to watch them when they came to manila in 94 and was able to catch their show earlier at the yokohama arena. they played most of their hits for almost 2.5 hours and still sounded good. i think we’ll be hearing from them again soon because eric thanked the crowd and said mr big is back
the set list was posted by a fan here –> http://metalichicka.wordpress.com/2009/06/05/mr-big-japan-tour-june-2009-set-lists-information/
Karlo Gutierrez
guyz would you mind if i ask for some testimony about their concert here in manila?? we’re kinda working on a petition to bring mr. big to manila again later this year…. if so, we need info about how great their 1994 concert here was…. the audience, the venue, the energy from the audience?? thank you guyz!! btw, they still rock at their age!! =)
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