Making a Big impact
> Pat Torpey of Mr Big reveals how it is still great to tour the world with his friends, despite having to cope with Parkinson’s
AMERICAN rock supergroup Mr Big will be performing in Malaysia this month, as part of its Southeast Asia tour in support of its latest album, Defying Gravity.
The Mr Big Live in Malaysia 2017 concert is organised by Plan 7 Production and will be held at the Mega Star Arena, Kuala Lumpur, on Oct 14 at 8pm.
Other than performing new songs from Defying Gravity, which was recorded over the course of six days and released this year, Mr Big will also be entertaining fans with its classic hits, including To Be with You, Take My Heart and Wild World.
The current Mr Big line-up comprises its four original members – frontman Eric Martin, Billy Sheehan on bass, Paul Gilbert on guitars, and drummer Pat Torpey.
The band, which was formed in 1988, took a hiatus in 2002 but got back together in 2009. To date, Mr Big has released a total of nine studio albums, including Defying Gravity.
It took three calls to Los Angeles to get through to Torpey for a phone interview.
When the call finally got through, the apologetic drummer gave an insight into what it was like reforming a band that had initially parted ways due to internal disagreements, and also about coping with a serious illness while touring.
Torpey, 58, is both drummer and backing vocalist for Mr Big, and has over the years played drums for other artistes, including John Parr, Belinda Carlisle, Robert Plant, and The Knack.
When the band parted ways, it wasn’t amicable, and they each pursued their own projects.
What made the members decide to get back together?
“Well, we couldn’t resist each other,” Torpey said with a laugh. “We kind of went through a cycle that a lot of bands go through. We kind of split up, and thought we needed a break from each other and did some solo stuff.
“After a while, we realised that Mr Big was a unique band, and [that] we had our own way of approaching our music.
“Now, here we are back together again, which is what I always wanted. My home is with Mr Big.”
Torpey said he was lucky that he has bandmates who share similar likes and musical influences, and who are inspired by the same things.
“We have a chemistry that is quite unique and that is what drew us together. I think it is about maturity. You don’t know what you have until it is gone.”
Many of the band’s songs are iconic and still enjoy radio airplay, and some have even been featured on movie soundtracks.
How does Torpey feel about having fans from different age groups?
Torpey said it is something he never dreamed about. He is happy that the band has managed to stick around for almost three decades, and that many of its fans have grown up and had their own children, who are now also fans of Mr Big.
“It is a lifetime achievement that we are all really proud of.”
There are some Mr Big’s tracks that are mainstays on every concert, including what are most likely its most recognisable songs – the 1992 ballad To Be With You, and the 1993 hit Wild World.
When asked if there were songs he wished the band got to perform more, Torpey said that there are so many.
“There are a lot of songs. We had nine studio albums. I guess I enjoy Never Say Never. It was a song I enjoyed playing, and we haven’t played it in a while.”
Torpey said he would be able to come up with a longer list if he had more time to think things over.
It’s hard to imagine, but Torpey was once in danger of leaving the band. In 2014, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a devastating condition that would impede his work as a drummer.
Torpey offered to sit out the tour the band was set to go on that year, but the rest of the group refused to perform or travel without him.
At the time, many wondered how Torpey would be able to tour with the band with his medical condition.
“What we are doing is that we have an extra drummer called Matt Starr, and he has been doing a lot of the heavy lifting,” Torpey explained.
“When I am on stage, I do some singing, and I play some drums when I can. When [I can’t], I play the tambourine [or] percussion, and I have a smaller drum kit that I [use]. I sing a lot.
“That is the thing about Mr Big. Our four voices make the Mr Big sound, with our background vocals.
“I am just glad to [still] be able to go on the road and be involved.”
Today, Torpey continues to beat the odds, and to inspire fans.
What would he like to say to Malaysian fans of Mr Big?
“Thanks for sticking by us all these years, and I hope to see everybody come with their kids, friends and family members, too.”
For more on the concert, visit the TicketCharge Malaysia website.