Welcome to the LOUDEST DOT COM ON THE PLANET!
KNAC.COM
WATCH NOW! Facebook Twitter Instagram LOGIN
MAGAZINE -  DOWNLOADS -  CONTESTS -  STORE
News

MR. BIG Announces Final World Tour, “The BIG Finish”

By Larry Petro, News Monkey
Tuesday, March 7, 2023 @ 10:52 AM


Performing Lean Into It In Its Entirety; Japan In 2023, U.S., South America, Europe In 2024

- advertisement -
MR. BIG is putting on their signature top hats and old shoes one last time for a worldwide tour, aptly titled “The BIG Finish”. Since the band’s original drummer and co-founder, Pat Torpey, lost his battle with Parkinson’s disease in 2018, the band now feels it’s time to mark the end of this chapter of their legacy.

The first leg will take the band to Japan and Southeast Asia in July and August, while shows in South America, Europe, and the U.S. will launch in early 2024 and will be announced soon.

“We wanted to do a proper farewell, and this seems like the right way to do it,” asserts bassist/vocalist Billy Sheehan. Notes guitarist/vocalist Paul Gilbert, “We’re in the process of making sure we come up with a suitably big entertainment extravaganza to go along with our music. And since our music has resonated so wonderfully in places all over the world, we’re going to play in as many of those places as we can.” Submits lead vocalist Eric Martin, “If we were in the movie business, we’d just put it all up in lights and say, ‘Welcome to The BIG Finish!’ Seriously, I’m glad we’re getting a chance to do it all onstage together as MR. BIG again and raise a flag to everything we’ve done as a band over the years.”

After 35 years of being addicted to that perpetually electrifying performance rush, the band feels it’s finally time to collectively hang up their top hats and shoes after coming together for one final, extended curtain call — a curtain call that will take them on an all-out world tour commencing in 2023 that will go for as long as, well, as long as MR. BIG fans demand it.

Joining MR. BIG on drums for this special final world tour will be longtime friend of the band Nick D’Virgilio (SPOCK'S BEARD, BIG BIG TRAIN), stepping in for founding drummer/vocalist Pat Torpey, who sadly passed away in 2018 following his heroic battle with Parkinson’s disease. “We found a wonderful drummer in Nick, and he’s got a great voice too,” confirms Sheehan. “Nick has a vocal range similar to Pat’s, and he’ll be able to do the parts Pat did with a similar finesse. It’s a big relief because MR. BIG has always been heavy on the harmonies. When the band began, we really relied on each other. We knew each guy would do exactly what he needed to do vocally and to do it righteously, on key, and in time. It’s difficult to find a drummer who sings in that range, but Nick has the voice we really need onstage.”

Concurs Gilbert, “Nick gets close to the spirit of Pat Torpey. Billy, Eric, and I have been really happy with the music we’ve already shared back and forth. I’m impressed with Nick’s level of musical adaptability and breadth of skill. He and I have done some recording together, and I was blown away with his groove, and how he just played what fit the song. If the song requires him to be more progressive and stand out, he will stand out. But if the song requires him to groove, he will groove. That’s actually a rare thing, and it really fits in with what we do in MR. BIG.” “I love the fact that Nick was a fan of Pat Torpey and wants to keep our BIG sound intact,” says Eric. “When I first saw his audition demo video of the LEAN INTO IT song "Lucky This Time", Nick was playing drums with those signature Pat snare hits and singing harmonies spot on to what Pat used to do. It gave me goosebumps!! I am so thrilled to have this man who will be filling some mighty BIG shoes join us on our last tour.”

One particular aspect of this upcoming final run that MR. BIG are excited about to a man is the decision to perform the entirety of their breakthrough Platinum-selling 1991 album LEAN INTO IT from start to finish as a featured highlight of the live setlist. (To be sure, the full setlist will encompass MR. BIG’s entire career.) Fact is, LEAN INTO IT is the perfect litmus testament to the band’s inherent dexterity at blending a variety of styles together, whether it’s the heady rocking brew of “Green-Tinted Sixties Mind”, the power-drilled and power-chorded identity checklist “Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy”, or the truly heartfelt sentiments found within “To Be With You”, MR. BIG’s chart-topping, worldwide #1 smash hit single.

For his part, Martin the songwriter remains eternally grateful for the never-ending success of “To Be With You”, but the essence of MR. BIG goes much, much deeper than that. “That song helped put the stamps in our passports,” Martin allows, “but we really nailed it on LEAN INTO IT. I’m still in awe of how Billy and Paul play on that album, because they’re such brilliant players. I used to call them the dynamic duo. And Pat Torpey was an underrated drummer, in my opinion. I mean, just listen to his tone! LEAN INTO IT is totally indicative of who we are as a band.”

Explains Sheehan, “LEAN INTO IT was put together much like a movie, with an opening scene that lets us get into the dialogue and find out what the story is. And then you get the love scene, the car chase, and the punchline ending. I think it’s a perfectly sequenced album.” Observes Gilbert, “Some people thought we had brought in professional background singers to do all those harmonies on Lean Into It, but no, it’s really us. We always felt like we had something to prove whenever we went on the road and did all that singing ourselves, just to show everyone that we really could do it.”

Just like the consummate performers they are, MR. BIG still want to reach into your dreams. “I hope the people who come see our shows get to feel what it’s like when musicians get together and really play and sing the songs they wrote,” offers Sheehan. “We want the audience to be one with us, and feel our evening together was a magical and beautiful event.” Theorizes Gilbert, “Music is like time travel. You can hear something that takes you right back to 1992, and it reminds you exactly of what was happening back then. On this tour, I want to give people the opportunity to time travel like that and go, ‘These guys are on fire!’ Good music is timeless.”

Concludes Martin, “I love playing with these guys. And if I’m being honest, I don’t want it to ever end. I’m the guy who just knows we still have that special spark together, and I always want to keep the torch burning. But if it really is the end, then I want us all to have a happy ending together. We’re a great live band. I want everybody to come out and see us, because we want to blow you away and have you all think as you’re leaving, ‘MR. BIG really is the real thing.’”

Indeed, when it comes to harnessing the real thing that best represents the unyielding power of rock & roll, MR. BIG have truly got what it takes. Make sure to catch them before they bring down that final curtain, because when it’s through, it’s through. MR. BIG really do want to be with you at least one more time, and they’d be more than honored to see you, one and all, somewhere around the world.

Check out MR. BIG at any of the following tour stops:

  • July 20 - Nagoya, Japan - Nagoya Shimin Kaikan
  • July 22 - Osaka, Japan - Osaka Maruzen Intec Arena
  • July 25 - Tokyo, Japan - Budokan
  • July 29 - Seoul, Korea - Yes24 Live Hall
  • July 31 - Hong Kong, China - Southorn Stadium
  • Aug 2 - Taiwan - Zepp New Taipei
  • Aug 4 - Singapore - Marina Bay Sands Theater
  • Aug 5 - Singapore - Marina Bay Sands Theater
  • Aug 7 - Bangkok, Thailand - Show DC Hall
  • Aug 9 - Manila, Philippines - Skydome
  • Aug 12 - Kemayoran, Jakarta - The 90's Festival


Please log in to view RANTS

Username: 
Password: 

Message: 
 
 

 





 Recent News
L.A. GUNS Launch New Video For "Diamonds"
ANGELS IN VEIN Ready New Album Long Time Coming
HEAVENS EDGE Share New Single, Video For "What Could've Been"
THE AMITY AFFLICTION Unveil New Album, Not Without My Ghosts
IMMORTAL GUARDIAN Share "Roots Run Deep" Video
MONSTERS OF ROCK CRUISE Reveals Final Band Lineup For 2023
ALCATRAZZ Unleashes New Video For "Battlelines"
SLEEPING WITH SIRENS Announce New U.S. 'Family Tree Tour'
NITA STRAUSS Launches "Winner Takes All" Single Featuring ALICE COOPER
DELAIN Announce North American Headline Tour
I PREVAIL Drop New Video For "Deep End"
Guitar Super Shredder JOEY CONCEPCION Releases Sophomore Solo Album, Divine Technical Machine
3 HEADED SNAKE Releases "Untouchable Undead" Single
METAL CHURCH Set To Return With Congregation of Annihilation Album
MAMMOTH WVH Return With New Album Mammoth II
SAXON Drop New Video For "Razamanaz"
TESLA Announce Additional Vegas Residency Shows
JANET GARDNER/JUSTIN JAMES Unveil New Album No Strings
FROM ASHES TO NEW Set To Unleash Blackout Album
LOUDER THAN LIFE Festival Announces 2023 Performers
ATREYU Announces The Hope Of A Spark EP
HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES Set To Release Live Album Live In Rio
AFTERSHOCK Festival Reveals 2023 Band Lineup
LAST IN LINE Launch New Single "House Party At The End Of The World"
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE Announce U.S. Tour Dates
SMACKBOUND Share New Single "Imperfect Day"
SAINT ASONIA Drop New Video For "Devastate"
GRAND FUNK RAILROAD Announces 'The American Band Tour'
KAMELOT Release Third Single "Eventide"
DEF LEPPARD Reveal New Album With Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Drastic Symphonies
IRON MAIDEN Game Legacy Of The Beast Teams With MOTORHEAD For New In-Game Event ‘Born To Raise Hell’
NECROFIER Unveils New Album, Burning Shadows In The Southern Night
ROCK FOR RONNIE Concert in the Park Benefit Returns For 2023
THE HELLFREAKS Unleash Third Single, Video For “Weeping Willow”
THE ACACIA STRAIN Ready Another New Album, failure will follow
OVERKILL Stream Second Single "Wicked Place"
MACHINE HEAD Announce "Electric Happy Hour (Live)" Spring 2023 Tour
LOUD AS HELL Festival Reveals 2023 Lineup
SWEET & LYNCH Unveil Third Studio Album, Heart & Sacrifice
JOHN DIVA & THE ROCKETS OF LOVE Launch New Video For "The Limit Is The Sky"
NUCLEAR BLAST Announce Release Of The Aggression Sessions
HIDEOUS DIVINITY Launch New Standalone Single/Video "Mysterium Tremendum"
Brazil's SUNROAD Release New Album Sunesthesia
KARBHOLZ Share New Single "Gar Nichts"
RIVAL SONS Drop New Single "Bird In The Hand"
BUCKCHERRY Unveil New Album Vol. 10
TYGERS OF PAN TANG Release New Digital Single "Fire On The Horizon"
MESSA To Release New Live Album, Messa - Live At Roadburn
FRAMING HANLEY Release New Single "Start A Fire"
YES Readies New Studio Album, Mirror To The Sky
PIERCE THE VEIL Announce North American Co-Headline Tour With THE USED
WINGER Return With New Album Seven
UNEARTH Confirms Album Release Tour
YOB Announces US Late Spring Headline Tour
SCREAMACHINE Unveil New Album Church Of The Scream
CURRENTS Announce Spring 2023 Headline Tour
VEIL OF MAYA Return With New Album, [m]other
BUDDERSIDE Unleash New Single "Power Hour"
DAVE LOMBARDO Set To Release Debut Solo Album, Rites Of Percussion
FALLING IN REVERSE Announce "The Popular Monstour"
ACID KING Release "Mind's Eye" Single
ALL FOR METAL Reveal New Album Details For Legends
Guitarist NITA STRAUSS Rejoins ALICE COOPER
CIRCUS OF ROCK Readies New Album, Lost Behind The Mask
SILVERTUNG Returns With New Single, "Integrity"
DEVILDRIVER Set For New Album Dealing With Demons Vol. II
Calgary's THE ELECTRIC HIGHWAY Festival Announces Lineup For 2023
RUSH Signals Gets 40th Anniversary Reissue
UNDEROATH "Let Go" With Release Of New Single
SCORPIONS Ready 12-Album Colours Of Rock Colored Vinyl Release
TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION Unveils New Album, The Name Lives On, And New Single "Hell Hounds"
OMNIUM GATHERUM Reveals New EP Slasher
THE HU Announce 2023 Headlining "Rumble Of Thunder" Tour Of Europe
CANDLEMASS' Nightfall Gets 35th Anniversary Deluxe Triple Colored LP Set
GENERATION LANDSLIDE Release "Love And Pain" Video
METAL BLADE RECORDS Announces Upcoming Book From Founder BRIAN SLAGEL, Swing Of The Blade: More Stories From Metal Blade Records
RIKI RACHTMAN Announces “One Foot In The Gutter” US Tour Dates
CRADLE OF FILTH Set To Unleash New Live Album, Trouble And Their Double Lives
ROCKLAHOMA Unveils Band Lineup For 2023
ENFORCED Drops New Single/Video, "Hanged By My Hand"
TAPROOT Set For New Album SC\SSRS
MR. BIG Announces Final World Tour, “The BIG Finish”
HEAVENS EDGE Set To Release New Album Get It Right
RED FANG Announce Latin America Tour Dates
AD INFINITUM Launch New Video "From The Ashes"
EXTREME Return With New Album, Six
REDEMPTION Premieres "Remember The Dawn" Video
LORD OF THE LOST Releases Short Film Video For “Absolute Attitude”
Indian Metallers BLOODYWOOD Announces 'RAKSHAK USA Tour'
FIREWIND Debut New Single, Video "Destiny Is Calling"
AXEL RUDI PELL Shares New Single "Morning Star"
MYSTIC PROPHECY Reveal New Album Hellriot
INSOMNIUM Drops New Video For "Godforsakenn(feat. Johanna Kurkela)"
LEGION OF THE DAMNED Unveil New Album The Poison Chalice
ENTHEOS Share "Darkest Day" Video
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH Add European Shows
QUEENSRYCHE Unleash New Video For "Realms"
ELEGANT WEAPONS Premiere New Video For "Blind Leading The Blind
CHASTAIN, LEATHER LEONE Team Up For The Reign of Leather II Album Chronicling 30 Years Of Metal History
L.A. GUNS Debut New Video For "Shattered Glass"
EXUMER Announces "North American Hostilities 2023" Tour Dates
NIGHT DEMON Unleashes "Escape From Beyond" Video
AUGUST BURNS RED Share New Single "Reckoning" Featuring SPENCER CHAMBERLAIN Of UNDEROATH
TOLEDO DEATHFEST Announces 2023 Lineup
LIVING DEAD GIRL Release New Album Not That Innocent - The Covers EP
THE BLACK MOODS Partner For New Beer, "Hollywood And Lime" Light Blonde Ale
JETHRO TULL Launch "The Navigators Video
THE ACACIA STRAIN Announce Record Release Shows
SAVAGE GRACE Drop New Video For "Automoton"
NONPOINT Releases New Single "Heartless"
BURNING WITCHES Conjure Spells with New Record, The Dark Tower
MOONSPELL Announce American Full Moon 30th Anniversary Tour
CREMATORY Debut New Single "Rest In Peace"
VICIOUS RUMORS Announce European Tour Dates
THEORY OF A DEADMAN Releases New Single, “Two Of Us (Stuck)”
BABYLON A.D. Return With New Live Album Live Lightning
ILL NIŃO Announces "The 20 Year Anniversary of Confession Tour"
SEVENTH CRYSTAL Launch "Million Times" Video
SOLENCE Drop New Album _hope is a cult_
BLOODBOUND Premieres New Song "The Raven's Cry"
GUNS N’ ROSES Announce 2023 World Tour
LEDFOOT, TNT Guitarist RONNI LE TEKRŘ Team Up For Limited Edition Lava Lamp Album
THE BANISHMENT Drop New Single "Right, Featuring TOMMY VICTOR Of PRONG
LAST IN LINE "Do The Work" With New Video
NECROT Announces US Headlining Dates This May
CATTLE DECAPITATION Present "We Eat Our Young" Video
SLEEP TOKEN Reveal New Album Details For Take Me Back To Eden
PERIPHERY Launch A.I.-Enhanced "Atropos" Video
BATTLE BORN Unveil New Album, Blood, Fire, Magic And Steel
WARKINGS Unleash "Hearts Of Rage" Video
HAMMERFALL Announce 20-Year-Anniversary Edition Of Crimson Thunder Album
KAMELOT Stream New Single "Opus of the Night (Ghost Requiem)"
MILWAUKEE METAL FEST 2023 Announces New Lineup Additions
DEMONS DOWN Launch New Video For "Disappear"
WITHIN TEMPTATION To Release Comic Book Series
THE ACACIA STRAIN Step Into The Light With Forthcoming New Album





HOME | MAGAZINE | DOWNLOADS | CONTESTS | STORE | HELP/POLICIES

©2023 KNAC.COM. All Rights Reserved.    Link to us    Advertise with us    Privacy policy
 Latest News