Mr. Big was one of the few "shredder" pop metal bands (translation: its members were very proficient at their instruments) that prized songcraft as highly as virtuosity. The seeds for the group's formation were sown when bass player extraordinaire Billy Sheehan (often called the Eddie Van Halen of the bass) left David Lee Roth's solo band in 1988. Shortly thereafter, he began piecing together a new outfit comprised of former Racer X guitarist Paul Gilbert, drummer Pat Torpey, and singer Eric Martin, the latter of whom had issued a pair of obscure solo releases in the mid-'80s. By 1989, the newly formed quartet had already inked a recording contract with Atlantic, resulting in the release of a self-titled debut the same year. Despite finding a warm reception amongst musicians, the album failed to crossover to a mainstream rock audience in America; however, Mr. Big was an immediate smash success overseas in Japan.Formation
It was bass player Billy Sheehan who scouted and gathered the people who would, together with himself, become the enduring icons of Mr. Big. Billy Sheehan left David Lee Roth's solo band in 1988, due to differences in musical direction.Mike Varney from Shrapnel Records, a label specialized in the shredding genre. However, what Sheehan did not know was that he was about to form one of the most revered "supergroups" to come out of America.
The Buffalo, New York-born bassist had already honed his considerable skills during a decade spent touring with his band, Talas, but with the recruitment of Eric Martin in 1988, he knew the foundation for this ultimate musical venture was well in place. Martin (who was born in Long Island, New York, but grew up all over the world as one of the sons of an Army officer) had already ventured into the light, both with melodic rock-oriented Eric Martin Band, and as a more soul-leaning solo artist.
Breakthrough
The group was made complete with talents of guitarist Gilbert and drummer Torpey. Hailing from Pittsburgh, Gilbert was already a well-respected guitarist who had released four highly-touted albums with his Los Angeles-based band, Racer X. Torpey came to California after playing his dues behind the kit in the Arizona rock community. He soon became a much sought-after road horse, touring with a number of high-profile artists, most notably Robert Plant.
The newly formed band hired Herbie Herbert to be their manager (he was the former manager of Journey and Santana). By 1989, the newly formed quartet had already inked a recording contract with Atlantic Records, resulting in the release of a self-titled debut the same year. Despite causing a buzz amongst musicians, the album failed to cross over to a mainstream rock audience stateside; however, Mr. Big was an immediate smash success overseas in Japan. In June 1990, the group went on tour in America as the opening act for the Canadian band “Rush”.
It was Mr. Big's second album in 1991, “Lean Into It”, that provided major breakthrough for the band. The album featured two ballads that established them as a commercial success: "To Be with You” (number one song in 15 countries) and "Just Take My Heart", as well as rock songs that remained as staples of their live set for years to come, such as "Green-Tinted Sixties Mind". The album propelled Mr. Big to huge international record sales in the multi-millions. The release of “Lean Into It” was followed by a British tour in April and May of the same year, supported by bands “The Throbs” and “Heartland”.
Another British tour ensured before the quartet opted to release the 'Mr. Big Live' album in 1992 and set to work on a third album to be released in 1993. Live headliners across the U.K. in December saw “Forgodsake” as support. However, the band had broken away from this run to put in support for Aerosmith’s three-night, sold out stand at London's Wembley Arena.
In 1993, another ballad from Mr. Big's new album “Bump Ahead” rose to the top 10 of the charts - a cover of Cat Steven’s “Wild World”. The band also contributed the soundtrack to the Sega Mega CD release of The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin.
And in 1995, their next album,Hey Man, was released. The song "Take Cover" from the album "Hey Man", was included on the soundtrack to the cartoon series Mega Man, which is based on the best selling video game franchise of the same name by Capcom, and was played during the end credits of the episodes "Bad Day At Peril Park" and "Mega X". Although the band never replicated its earlier success in the US market, their popularity continued to soar in Japan; they also gained a stabler following in newer Southeast Asian markets such as Thailand and South Korea. The change in attitudes towards Hard Rock and the media treatment of so-called '80s Hair bands' meant that sales were poor in America and Europe. The music industry started to focus more on other music genres such as grunge rock and rap.
In Japan and in the rest of Asia, on the other hand, they continued to sell out tours, resulting in a number of live releases for the Japanese market throughout their career (from Raw Like Sushi I,II,II in the 1990s to Mr. Big In Japan in 2002).
The group's album, 'Live At Budokan', was another live release intended for the Japanese market only. By the time 'Live At Budokan' appeared the group had been put on ice as the individual band members became more engrossed in other projects. After several years of continuous recording and touring, the band took a much needed break
Return in 1999
Paul Gilbert left the band in 1997 to pursue a solo career and eventually reform Racer X. Richie Kotzen, another Shrapnel artist and former guitarist for Poison, was brought in to take on guitar duties, also contributing occasional vocals. Two studio albums were released by this lineup: Get Over It in 2000 and Actual Sizeielded "Superfantastic," a number one hit that went multi-platinum in Japan. It proved to be Atlantic's biggest selling release in that territory. MR. Big put in a 20-date tour of Japan followed by a rousing New Year's Eve 1999 show with Aerosmith at the Osaka Dome in Tokyo. "Get Over It" was released in the U.S. on March 21, 2000, followed by a short club stint at "Roxy", California. in 2001. "Get Over It" was released on September 1999 in Japan.
Forward to the summer of 2001, Eric and the rest of the Mr. Big guys released their next effort "Actual Size" in Japan and the rest of Asia. The CD sat on the charts in the number three spot and "Shine" the first single off the album was number one. The song was also used as the ending theme for the animation series, Hellsing.
Although fans welcomed the new album, other news would come as a shock. A lot of tension had recently developed between Billy Sheehan and the other members, and this led to the sudden break-up of the band. Despite being a multi-million record-selling band, the members of Mr. Big gritted their teeth and fulfilled their current contractual obligations for yet another Japanese run in the form of a "farewell tour". All of the former members have gone on to other projects in the music industry.
Reunion
On February 1, 2009, a radio announcement for "Koh Sakai’s Burrn Presents: Heavy Metal Syndicate" contained a short message from Mr Big announcing the reunion in Japan to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of their debut album. A press conference in Japan in February generated much excitement, and a tour of the country starting in June was announced, with shows in ten locations (including the Budokan). They held their first reunion concert outside Japan at Tallinn (Rock Cafe), Estonia on September 2009 continuing their tour. Their gig in Estonia was merely a kick-off to a twenty-date tour all across Europe for the whole month of September. After the European tour, an Asian tour followed with gigs in India, Thailand, Singapore, and South Korea.
Warner Music Japan released remastered copies of their four studio albums, which contains two new songs: "Next Time Around", and "Hold Your Head Up". They also have released another live album and DVD entitled "Back to Budokan", which featured their concert in Tokyo, Japan, this 2009. This live performance contains a cover of Beatles' "It's For You" and "Mars", as well as guitar and bass solos by the band, on single and double-neck instruments.
Band Members
- Eric Martin – lead vocals (1988–2002, 2009)
- Pat Torpey – drums, percussion (1988–2002, 2009)
- Billy Sheehan – bass guitar (1988–2002, 2009)
- Paul Gilbert – guitar (1988–1997, 2009)
- Richie Kotzen – guitar (1999–2002)
Studio Albums
- Mr. Big (1989) (The Billboard 200 #46, Japan Oricon Album Chart #22, JPN – Gold, UK #60)
- Lean Into It (1991) (The Billboard 200 #15, Japan Oricon Album Chart #6, US – Platinum, JPN – Platinum, UK #28)
- Bump Ahead (1993) (The Billboard 200 #82, Japan Oricon Album Chart #4, JPN – Platinum, UK #61[8])
- Hey Man (1996) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #1, JPN – 2x Platinum)
- Get Over It (2000) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #5, JPN – Gold)
- Actual Size (2001) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #5)
- Raw Like Sushi (1990) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #32)
- Mr. Big Live (Live in San Francisco) (1992) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #45)
- Raw Like Sushi II (1992) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #8, JPN – Gold)
- Japandemonium: Raw Like Sushi 3 (1994) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #11, JPN – Platinum)
- Channel V at the Hard Rock Live (1996) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #32)
- Live at Budokan (1997) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #20)
- In Japan (2002) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #12)
- Back To Budokan (2009)
- "Addicted to That Rush" (1989) (Mainstream Rock Tracks #39)
- "Wind Me Up" (1989)
- "Green-Tinted Sixties Mind" (1991) (Mainstream Rock Tracks #33, UK #72)
- "To Be With You" (1991) (The Billboard Hot 100 #1 (3 weeks), Mainstream Rock Tracks #19, Adult Contemporary #11, UK #3)
- "Just Take My Heart" (1992) (The Billboard Hot 100 #16, Mainstream Rock Tracks #18, Japan Oricon Single Chart #68, UK #26)
- "Wild World" (1993) (The Billboard Hot 100 #27, Mainstream Rock Tracks #33, Top 40 Mainstream #12, Japan Oricon Single Chart #40, UK #59)
- "Ain't Seen Love Like That" (1994) (The Billboard Hot 100 #83)
- "Take Cover" (1996) (Japan Oricon Single Chart #1)
- "Not One Night" (1997)
- "Superfantastic" (2000) (Japan Oricon Single Chart #97)
- "Static" (2000) (Japan Oricon Single Chart #66)
- "Where Are They Now" (2000) (Japan Oricon Single Chart #47)
- "Shine" (2001) (Japan Oricon Single Chart #1)
- "Arrow" (2001) (Japan Oricon Single Chart #42)
- Big Bigger Biggest: Greatest Hits (1996) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #2, JPN – 4x Platinum)
- Deep Cuts (2000) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #12)
- Greatest Hits (2004) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #70)
