Mr. BIG are set to hit the road in early 2024 to continue their farewell tour
This past summer, MR. BIG, featuring Eric Martin (lead vocals), Paul Gilbert (guitar and vocals), Billy Sheehan (bass and vocals), and Nick D’Virgilio (drums and vocals), donned their iconic top hats and well-worn shoes to kick off their global farewell tour, fittingly named “The BIG Finish.”
Since the band’s co-founder and original drummer, Pat Torpey, tragically lost his battle with Parkinson’s disease in 2018, MR. BIG believes it’s time to draw the curtain on this chapter of their musical journey.
The tour’s inaugural leg commenced in Japan and Southeast Asia during July and August, enthralling hundreds of thousands of devoted fans across 11 sold-out shows, including a memorable performance at Tokyo’s revered Budokan. Now, MR. BIG is gearing up to bring “The BIG Finish” to South America, Europe, and the United States. The U.S. leg of the tour is set to begin on January 12, 2024, at the Rise Rooftop in Houston, Texas, with more U.S. dates to be unveiled in due course. Detailed ticket information is available on the band’s official website.
A particularly noteworthy element of this forthcoming farewell tour that has every member of MR. BIG buzzing with excitement is their decision to showcase their breakthrough platinum-selling album from 1991, “Lean Into It,” in its entirety as a standout highlight of their live setlist.
Of course, the full setlist will encompass MR. BIG‘s illustrious career. “Lean Into It” perfectly exemplifies the band’s remarkable versatility in blending various musical styles, whether it’s the electrifying rock concoction of “Green-Tinted Sixties Mind,” the power-packed anthem “Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy,” or the deeply heartfelt sentiments of their chart-topping, globally acclaimed hit single, “To Be With You.”
“I love playing the entire ‘Lean Into It’ record,” says Gilbert. “We’ve never done that until now, and the songs flow together really well. It’s a first-class seat in the time-travel-machine back to 1992! I was amazed that during my guitar solo, the whole audience started singing along with me! That was the first time that has ever happened! That’s what a live show is about!”
“We wanted to do a proper farewell, and this seems like the right way to do it,” asserts Sheehan. Notes 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.”
For this special global farewell tour, MR. BIG welcomes longtime friend of the band, Nick D’Virgilio (known for his work with SPOCK’S BEARD and BIG BIG TRAIN), as their drummer. Nick steps into the role held by founding member Pat Torpey, who valiantly battled Parkinson’s disease before his passing in 2018.
“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.”
After 35 years of being addicted to the perpetual electrifying rush of performing, the band has reached a collective decision to gracefully retire their iconic top hats and well-worn shoes. They are preparing for one last, extensive farewell tour, an encore that will kick off in 2023 and continue for as long as MR. BIG fans continue to clamor for their electrifying presence on stage.
MR. BIG U.S. tour dates:
Jan. 12 – Houston, TX – Rise Rooftop
Jan. 13 – Dallas, TX – The Factory In Deep Ellum
Jan. 17 – Key West, FL – Rokisland Fest
Jan. 20 – Orlando, FL – The Plaza Live
Jan. 21 – Clearwater, FL – Capitol Theatre
Jan. 23 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
Jan. 24 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
Jan. 26 – Cincinnati, OH – Ludlow Garage
Jan. 28 – Warrendale, PA – Jergel’S Rhythm Grille
Jan. 30 – Portland, ME – Aura
Jan. 31 – Patchogue, NY – Patchogue Theater
Feb. 02 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
Feb. 03 – Ridgefield, CT – Ridgefield Playhouse
Feb. 06 – New York, NY – Sony Hall
Feb. 07 – Derry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall
Feb. 09 – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre
Feb. 14 – Wabash, IN – Honeywell Center
Feb. 16 – Des Plains, IL – Des Plains Theatre
Feb. 17 – Green Bay, WI – Epic Event Center
Feb. 20 – Detroit, MI – Royal Oak Theatre
Feb. 21 – Minneapolis, MN – Fitzgerald Theater
Feb. 23 – Wichita, KS – The Cotillion
Feb. 24 – Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom
