Mr. Big (band)
Encyclopedia
Mr. Big is an American
rock
supergroup
, formed in Los Angeles, California
in 1988. The band is a quartet composed of Eric Martin (lead vocals), Paul Gilbert
(guitar), Billy Sheehan
(bass guitar), and Pat Torpey
(drums); Mr. Big also included Richie Kotzen
, a reputable blues-based guitarist who replaced Gilbert in 1999. The band is noted especially for their musicianship, and scored a number of hits. Their songs were often marked by strong vocals and vocal harmonies. Their hits include "To Be with You
" (a number one single in 15 countries in 1991) and "Green-Tinted Sixties Mind
."
Mr. Big have remained active and popular for over two decades, despite internal conflicts and changing music trends. They broke up in 2002, but after requests from fans reunited in 2009; their first tour was in Japan, in June 2009. The band released What If...
, their first album in 10 years, in January 2011.
left David Lee Roth
in 1988, he began piecing together a new band with the help of Mike Varney
from Shrapnel Records
, a label specialized in the shredding genre. He recruited Eric Martin, of the rock-oriented Eric Martin Band and also soul-leaning solo artist, and soon thereafter added guitarist Gilbert and drummer Torpey. Gilbert was already a well-respected guitarist who had released two albums with his Los Angeles-based band Racer X. Torpey came to California from Arizona, and toured with a number of high-profile artists, most notably Robert Plant
.
, Europe
, and Santana
, to be their manager. By 1989, they signed with Atlantic Records
and released their self-titled debut the same year. The record did not gain the band a mainstream rock audience stateside, but was a success in Japan. In June 1990, the group toured in America opening for Rush
. In August 1990, two songs, "Strike Like Lightning" and "Shadows", performed by Mr. Big were exclusively released on the soundtrack album
of the action film Navy SEALs
.
Mr. Big's second album, 1991's Lean Into It
, was a major commercial breakthrough, especially two ballads, "To Be with You" (number one song in fifteen countries) and "Just Take My Heart", as well as the song "Green-Tinted Sixties Mind
". They toured the UK in April and May 1991 and again in 1992, releasing a live album, Mr. Big Live
, in 1992. For three nights, they opened for Aerosmith
at London's Wembley Arena
.
In 1993, another ballad, a cover of Cat Stevens
' "Wild World", (from their third album, Bump Ahead
) peaked at #27 on the Billboard Hot 100
. Although it is said that the band also contributed the soundtrack to the Sega
Mega CD release of The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin
, the songs actually featured Eric Martin with musicians hired by Sega.
They released Hey Man
in 1996. The song "Take Cover" was included on the soundtrack to the cartoon series Mega Man
.
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. 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.
Live At Budokan
was one of those live release intended for the Japanese market only. By the time that album appeared the group had been put on ice as the individual band members became more engrossed in other projects; the band temporarily broke up in 1997.
, another Shrapnel artist and former guitarist for Poison
, was brought in as a guitar player. Two studio albums were released by this lineup: Get Over It
in 2000, and Actual Size
in 2001. Get Over It was released on September 1999, in Japan, and yielded "Superfantastic," a multi-platinum number one hit in Japan. Mr. Big performed a twenty-date tour of Japan followed by a New Year's Eve 1999 show with Aerosmith at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo. Get Over It was released in the US in March 2000, followed by a short club stint at "Roxy", California.
Several music videos for songs on Get Over It were recorded (for Electrified and Superfantastic), however the director claimed rights to the music videos and the videos were never released.
In 2001, Mr. Big released Actual Size in Asia. The CD sat on the charts in the number three spot and "Shine", the first single, was number one. The song was also used as the ending theme for the anime
series Hellsing
.
However, tension had developed between Billy Sheehan and the other members when Billy began touring with Steve Vai. Eric Martin, Richie Kotzen, and Pat decided to write songs without Billy, and Billy was only given credit for two songs on Actual Size. Eric Martin and the others were also upset for Billy Sheehan's attitude during the recording of the Shine music video. This was when Eric Martin and the others decided the only way to keep moving forward was to fire Billy Sheehan. After firing Sheehan, Mr. Big's tour manager was furious since Billy Sheehan's name would sell tickets. The tour manager reacted by pulling the plug on the tour, forcing Eric Martin and the others to ask Billy Sheehan if he would like to rejoin the band. Sheehan agreed to rejoin the band, however only for the farewell tour.
Due to all this, Mr. Big broke up in 2002 after a farewell tour.
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 of the original Mr. Big line-up to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of their début 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 Rock Cafe in Tallinn
, Estonia
on September 2009 continuing their tour.
Warner Music Japan released remastered copies of their four studio albums, as well as a greatest hits CD and DVD. There are two bonus studio songs on the album, new track "Next Time Around", and a cover of Argent's "Hold Your Head Up".
Mr. Big toured India in October 2009 as part of the Reunion Tour, playing to huge crowds at Bangalore and Shillong.
In September 2010, Mr. Big recorded a seventh album with producer Kevin Shirley
at a Los Angeles
-area studio. The album was released in Japan on Dec. 15th, 2010, in Europe on Jan. 21st, 2011 and in the USA in Feb. 2011, What If...
is their first album of new material in nearly 10 years. The band also toured in support of the album. The tour to support the album kicked off at The House of Blues, in Hollywood, CA on April 2, 2011 and ended at Rockout Festival in Istanbul
, Turkey
on October 2011. The band also appeared at Download Festival
on June 2011.
On May 10, 2011, after almost two decades, Mr. Big stepped on stage at the Araneta Coliseum in Manila, Philippines. The band performed most of the songs from "Lean Into It," with the crowd singing along. The band also introduced a couple of new songs from "What If." The band received a standing ovation after the performance and were hailed by screaming Filipino fans with "We want more!" chants, resulting in two encores.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
supergroup
Supergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
, formed in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
in 1988. The band is a quartet composed of Eric Martin (lead vocals), Paul Gilbert
Paul Gilbert
Paul Brandon Gilbert is an American guitarist. He is well known for his technical guitar work with Racer X and Mr...
(guitar), Billy Sheehan
Billy Sheehan
William "Billy" Sheehan is an American bassist known for his work with Talas, Steve Vai, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, and Niacin. Sheehan has won the "Best Rock Bass Player" readers' poll from Guitar Player Magazine five times for his "lead bass" playing style...
(bass guitar), and Pat Torpey
Pat Torpey
Pat Torpey is an American rock and roll drummer, known as the drummer of the hard rock band Mr. Big. He has also played for Impellitteri, The Knack, David Lee Roth Band and the Exile Social Club. He is noted by Neil Peart for composing unique rhythms such as that of "Take Cover", a rock song from...
(drums); Mr. Big also included Richie Kotzen
Richie Kotzen
Richie Kotzen is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter.At a young age, Richie Kotzen was taken by music and first began playing piano at the age of five. At the age of seven he was inspired by the band KISS to learn the electric guitar...
, a reputable blues-based guitarist who replaced Gilbert in 1999. The band is noted especially for their musicianship, and scored a number of hits. Their songs were often marked by strong vocals and vocal harmonies. Their hits include "To Be with You
To Be with You
"To Be with You" is a song by the American hard rock band Mr. Big. It appears on the album Lean into It. The song charted in 20 plus countries, many of them at number one, such as on the United States Billboard Hot 100...
" (a number one single in 15 countries in 1991) and "Green-Tinted Sixties Mind
Green-Tinted Sixties Mind
"Green-Tinted Sixties Mind" is a song by American band Mr. Big, which appears on the 1991 album Lean into It and as the B-side for "To Be with You". Written by Paul Gilbert, the lyrics concern an old-fashioned girl, living as if she were in the sixties...
."
Mr. Big have remained active and popular for over two decades, despite internal conflicts and changing music trends. They broke up in 2002, but after requests from fans reunited in 2009; their first tour was in Japan, in June 2009. The band released What If...
What If... (Mr. Big album)
-Bonus tracks:- Personnel :*Eric Martin – vocals*Paul Gilbert – guitars & backing vocals*Billy Sheehan – bass guitar & backing vocals*Pat Torpey – drums, percussion & backing vocals-Release history:- External links :* * *...
, their first album in 10 years, in January 2011.
Formation (1988–1989)
After bass player Billy SheehanBilly Sheehan
William "Billy" Sheehan is an American bassist known for his work with Talas, Steve Vai, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, and Niacin. Sheehan has won the "Best Rock Bass Player" readers' poll from Guitar Player Magazine five times for his "lead bass" playing style...
left David Lee Roth
David Lee Roth
David Lee Roth is an American rock vocalist, songwriter, actor, author, and former radio personality. Roth was ranked nineteenth by Hit Parader on their list of the 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Singers of All Time....
in 1988, he began piecing together a new band with the help of Mike Varney
Mike Varney
Mike Varney is an American musician, record producer, music publisher and impresario. He is the founder of the Shrapnel Label Group, which includes Shrapnel Records, Tone Center Records and Blues Bureau International. He also has a 50% stake in Magna Carta Records, a New York-based label...
from Shrapnel Records
Shrapnel Records
Shrapnel Records is a guitar-oriented record label started in 1980 by record producer Mike Varney. Guitarist Marty Friedman , one of the label's most successful artists, first appeared on the album Unsung Guitar Heroes II in 1980 with the band Vixen. Vixen would later change their name to Hawaii...
, a label specialized in the shredding genre. He recruited Eric Martin, of the rock-oriented Eric Martin Band and also soul-leaning solo artist, and soon thereafter added guitarist Gilbert and drummer Torpey. Gilbert was already a well-respected guitarist who had released two albums with his Los Angeles-based band Racer X. Torpey came to California from Arizona, and toured with a number of high-profile artists, most notably Robert Plant
Robert Plant
Robert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
.
Breakthrough (1989–1997)
The newly formed band hired Herbie Herbert, the former manager of JourneyJourney (band)
Journey is an American rock band formed in 1973 in San Francisco by former members of Santana. The band has gone through several phases; its strongest commercial success occurred between the 1978 and 1987, after which it temporarily disbanded...
, Europe
Europe (band)
Europe is a Swedish rock band formed in Upplands Väsby in 1979 under the name Force by vocalist Joey Tempest, guitarist John Norum and drummer Tony Reno. Although widely associated with glam metal, the band's sound incorporates heavy metal and hard rock elements...
, and Santana
Carlos Santana
Carlos Augusto Alves Santana is a Mexican rock guitarist. Santana became famous in the late 1960s and early 1970s with his band, Santana, which pioneered rock, salsa and jazz fusion...
, to be their manager. By 1989, they signed with Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
and released their self-titled debut the same year. The record did not gain the band a mainstream rock audience stateside, but was a success in Japan. In June 1990, the group toured in America opening for Rush
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
. In August 1990, two songs, "Strike Like Lightning" and "Shadows", performed by Mr. Big were exclusively released on the soundtrack album
Soundtrack album
A soundtrack album is any album that incorporates music directly recorded from the soundtrack of a particular feature film or television program. In some cases, not all the tracks from the movie are included in the album; however there are rare cases of songs in the trailers that do not appear in...
of the action film Navy SEALs
Navy SEALs (film)
Navy SEALs is a 1990 action film, directed by Lewis Teague, written by Chuck Pfarrer and Gary Goldman, and produced by Brenda Feigen and Bernard Williams with consultant William Bradley.-Plot:...
.
Mr. Big's second album, 1991's Lean Into It
Lean into It
Lean into It is an album by hard rock band Mr. Big, released in 1991. Known as the band's breakthrough release, it peaked at number 15 on the Billboard 200 charts, while the single "To Be With You" became the band's first and only song to hit number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100...
, was a major commercial breakthrough, especially two ballads, "To Be with You" (number one song in fifteen countries) and "Just Take My Heart", as well as the song "Green-Tinted Sixties Mind
Green-Tinted Sixties Mind
"Green-Tinted Sixties Mind" is a song by American band Mr. Big, which appears on the 1991 album Lean into It and as the B-side for "To Be with You". Written by Paul Gilbert, the lyrics concern an old-fashioned girl, living as if she were in the sixties...
". They toured the UK in April and May 1991 and again in 1992, releasing a live album, Mr. Big Live
Mr. Big Live
Mr. Big Live is a recording of a live concert by the melodic hard rock band Mr. Big held March 28, 1992 at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, California...
, in 1992. For three nights, they opened for Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
at London's Wembley Arena
Wembley Arena
Wembley Arena is an indoor arena, at Wembley, in the London Borough of Brent. The building is opposite Wembley Stadium.-History:...
.
In 1993, another ballad, a cover of Cat Stevens
Cat Stevens
Yusuf Islam , commonly known by his former stage name Cat Stevens, is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, educator, philanthropist, and prominent convert to Islam....
' "Wild World", (from their third album, Bump Ahead
Bump Ahead
Bump Ahead is the third studio album by the hard rock band Mr. Big.-Track listing:#"Colorado Bulldog" - 4:14#"Price You Gotta Pay" - 3:55...
) peaked at #27 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. Although it is said that the band also contributed the soundtrack to the Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
Mega CD release of The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin
The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin
The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin is a video game produced by Sega of America and developed by Technopop...
, the songs actually featured Eric Martin with musicians hired by Sega.
They released Hey Man
Hey Man
Hey Man is the fourth studio album by the hard rock band, Mr. Big.-Track listing:# "Trapped in Toyland" - 4:24# "Take Cover" - 4:38# "Jane Doe" - 3:36...
in 1996. The song "Take Cover" was included on the soundtrack to the cartoon series Mega Man
Mega Man (TV series)
Mega Man, known in Japan as , is a Japanese-American animated television series multi-produced by Capcom Productions, Ruby-Spears Productions, Ashi Productions and Ocean Group and is based on the game series of the same name. The TV series began in 1994 and ended in 1995, and was aired on many...
.
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. 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.
Live At Budokan
Live at Budokan (Mr. Big album)
Live at Budokan is a live album by the hard rock band Mr. Big. It was released in 1997.-Track listing:#"Intro/Piano"#"Trapped in Toyland"#"Take Cover"#"Green-Tinted Sixties Mind"#"Jane Doe"...
was one of those live release intended for the Japanese market only. By the time that album appeared the group had been put on ice as the individual band members became more engrossed in other projects; the band temporarily broke up in 1997.
Gilbert's departure and new line-up (1997–2002)
Gilbert left the band in 1997, and eventually reformed Racer X. Richie KotzenRichie Kotzen
Richie Kotzen is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter.At a young age, Richie Kotzen was taken by music and first began playing piano at the age of five. At the age of seven he was inspired by the band KISS to learn the electric guitar...
, another Shrapnel artist and former guitarist for Poison
Poison (band)
Poison is an American glam metal band that achieved great success in the mid-1980s to mid-1990s. To date, Poison has sold over 30 million records worldwide and have sold 15 million records in the United States alone. The band has also charted ten singles to the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100,...
, was brought in as a guitar player. Two studio albums were released by this lineup: Get Over It
Get Over It (album)
Get Over It is the fifth studio album by the hard rock band Mr. Big.It is their first studio album to feature guitarist Richie Kotzen.-Track listing:# "Electrified" – 4:12 # "Static" – 3:07...
in 2000, and Actual Size
Actual Size
Actual Size is the sixth album by the hard rock band Mr. Big released in August 2001. It was their second and last studio album to feature guitarist Richie Kotzen. Actual Size would be Mr. Big's final album for 10 years, until What If.....
in 2001. Get Over It was released on September 1999, in Japan, and yielded "Superfantastic," a multi-platinum number one hit in Japan. Mr. Big performed a twenty-date tour of Japan followed by a New Year's Eve 1999 show with Aerosmith at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo. Get Over It was released in the US in March 2000, followed by a short club stint at "Roxy", California.
Several music videos for songs on Get Over It were recorded (for Electrified and Superfantastic), however the director claimed rights to the music videos and the videos were never released.
In 2001, Mr. Big released Actual Size in Asia. The CD sat on the charts in the number three spot and "Shine", the first single, was number one. The song was also used as the ending theme for the anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
series Hellsing
Hellsing (TV series)
is a Japanese anime television series based on Kouta Hirano's manga series of the same name. The series is directed by Umanosuke Iida, from a screenplay by Chiaki Konaka, and produced by the Gonzo animation studio...
.
However, tension had developed between Billy Sheehan and the other members when Billy began touring with Steve Vai. Eric Martin, Richie Kotzen, and Pat decided to write songs without Billy, and Billy was only given credit for two songs on Actual Size. Eric Martin and the others were also upset for Billy Sheehan's attitude during the recording of the Shine music video. This was when Eric Martin and the others decided the only way to keep moving forward was to fire Billy Sheehan. After firing Sheehan, Mr. Big's tour manager was furious since Billy Sheehan's name would sell tickets. The tour manager reacted by pulling the plug on the tour, forcing Eric Martin and the others to ask Billy Sheehan if he would like to rejoin the band. Sheehan agreed to rejoin the band, however only for the farewell tour.
Due to all this, Mr. Big broke up in 2002 after a farewell tour.
Reunion and What If... (2009–present)
A near Mr. Big "one-off" reunion took place on May 13, 2008, in Los Angeles at the House Of Blues when Paul Gilbert was joined on stage by Pat Torpey, Richie Kotzen and Billy Sheehan for renditions of Humble Pie's '30 Days In The Hole' and original Mr. Big composition 'Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy'. Reportedly, the three had such an amazing time that they decided to contact Eric Martin a few days later, and a reunion of the four original members (Paul, Eric, Pat, and Billy) was put into motion.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 of the original Mr. Big line-up to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of their début 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
Nippon Budokan
The , often shortened to simply Budokan, is an indoor arena in central Tokyo, Japan.This is the location where many "Live at the Budokan" albums were recorded...
). They held their first reunion concert outside Japan at Rock Cafe in Tallinn
Tallinn
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list...
, Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
on September 2009 continuing their tour.
Warner Music Japan released remastered copies of their four studio albums, as well as a greatest hits CD and DVD. There are two bonus studio songs on the album, new track "Next Time Around", and a cover of Argent's "Hold Your Head Up".
Mr. Big toured India in October 2009 as part of the Reunion Tour, playing to huge crowds at Bangalore and Shillong.
In September 2010, Mr. Big recorded a seventh album with producer Kevin Shirley
Kevin Shirley
Kevin Shirley is a music producer and mixer for many artists, such as the bands Journey, Iron Maiden, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Joe Bonamassa, Marya Roxx, Dream Theater, Tyler Bryant, Mr. Big, and Europe.-Biography:...
at a Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
-area studio. The album was released in Japan on Dec. 15th, 2010, in Europe on Jan. 21st, 2011 and in the USA in Feb. 2011, What If...
What If... (Mr. Big album)
-Bonus tracks:- Personnel :*Eric Martin – vocals*Paul Gilbert – guitars & backing vocals*Billy Sheehan – bass guitar & backing vocals*Pat Torpey – drums, percussion & backing vocals-Release history:- External links :* * *...
is their first album of new material in nearly 10 years. The band also toured in support of the album. The tour to support the album kicked off at The House of Blues, in Hollywood, CA on April 2, 2011 and ended at Rockout Festival in Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
on October 2011. The band also appeared at Download Festival
Download Festival
The Download Festival is a three day rock music festival held annually at Donington Park, England . It usually takes place in June...
on June 2011.
On May 10, 2011, after almost two decades, Mr. Big stepped on stage at the Araneta Coliseum in Manila, Philippines. The band performed most of the songs from "Lean Into It," with the crowd singing along. The band also introduced a couple of new songs from "What If." The band received a standing ovation after the performance and were hailed by screaming Filipino fans with "We want more!" chants, resulting in two encores.
Band members
- Eric Martin – lead vocals (1988–2002, 2009–present)
- Pat TorpeyPat TorpeyPat Torpey is an American rock and roll drummer, known as the drummer of the hard rock band Mr. Big. He has also played for Impellitteri, The Knack, David Lee Roth Band and the Exile Social Club. He is noted by Neil Peart for composing unique rhythms such as that of "Take Cover", a rock song from...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
, backing vocals (1988–2002, 2009–present) - Billy SheehanBilly SheehanWilliam "Billy" Sheehan is an American bassist known for his work with Talas, Steve Vai, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, and Niacin. Sheehan has won the "Best Rock Bass Player" readers' poll from Guitar Player Magazine five times for his "lead bass" playing style...
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals (1988–2002, 2009–present) - Paul GilbertPaul GilbertPaul Brandon Gilbert is an American guitarist. He is well known for his technical guitar work with Racer X and Mr...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, backing vocals (1988–1997, 2009–present)
Studio albums
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US |
JP Japan Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south... |
UK |
Certifications | |||||||||
| 1989 | Mr. Big | 46 | 22 | 60 | Gold (JP) | |||||||
| 1991 | Lean Into It Lean into It Lean into It is an album by hard rock band Mr. Big, released in 1991. Known as the band's breakthrough release, it peaked at number 15 on the Billboard 200 charts, while the single "To Be With You" became the band's first and only song to hit number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100... |
15 | 6 | 28 | Platinum (US, JP) | |||||||
| 1993 | Bump Ahead Bump Ahead Bump Ahead is the third studio album by the hard rock band Mr. Big.-Track listing:#"Colorado Bulldog" - 4:14#"Price You Gotta Pay" - 3:55... |
82 | 4 | 61 | Platinum (JP) | |||||||
| 1996 | Hey Man Hey Man Hey Man is the fourth studio album by the hard rock band, Mr. Big.-Track listing:# "Trapped in Toyland" - 4:24# "Take Cover" - 4:38# "Jane Doe" - 3:36... |
- | 1 | - | Gold (JP) | |||||||
| 2000 | Get Over It Get Over It (album) Get Over It is the fifth studio album by the hard rock band Mr. Big.It is their first studio album to feature guitarist Richie Kotzen.-Track listing:# "Electrified" – 4:12 # "Static" – 3:07... |
- | 5 | - | Gold (JP) | |||||||
| 2001 | Actual Size Actual Size Actual Size is the sixth album by the hard rock band Mr. Big released in August 2001. It was their second and last studio album to feature guitarist Richie Kotzen. Actual Size would be Mr. Big's final album for 10 years, until What If..... |
- | 5 | - | - | |||||||
| 2010 | What If... What If... (Mr. Big album) -Bonus tracks:- Personnel :*Eric Martin – vocals*Paul Gilbert – guitars & backing vocals*Billy Sheehan – bass guitar & backing vocals*Pat Torpey – drums, percussion & backing vocals-Release history:- External links :* * *... |
- | 7 | 117 | - | |||||||
| "—" denotes albums that did not chart or were not released in that territory. | ||||||||||||
Live albums
- Raw Like SushiRaw Like Sushi (Mr. Big album)Raw Like Sushi is a live album released by the American hard rock band Mr. Big. It was released in 1990.-Track listing:# "Blame It On My Youth"# "How Can You Do What You Do"# "Merciless"# "Rock & Roll Over ~Paul Gilbert Guitar Solo"# "Take a Walk"...
(1990) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #32) - Live and Kickin (1992)
- Mr. Big LiveMr. Big LiveMr. Big Live is a recording of a live concert by the melodic hard rock band Mr. Big held March 28, 1992 at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, California...
(Live in San Francisco) (1992) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #45) - Raw Like Sushi IIRaw Like Sushi IIRaw Like Sushi II is a live album by the hard rock band Mr. Big. It was released in 1992.-Track listing:# "Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy"# "Voodoo Kiss"# "A Little Too Loose"# "Road to Ruin "# "CDFF-Lucky This Time "...
(1992) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #8, JPN – Gold) - Group Portrait (1993)
- Japandemonium: Raw Like Sushi 3Japandemonium: Raw Like Sushi 3Japandemonium: Raw Like Sushi 3 is a live album by the hard rock band Mr. Big. The performance was recorded at Koseinenkin Hall in Tokyo, Japan October 29, 1993.-Track listing:...
(1994) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #11, JPN – Platinum) - Channel V at the Hard Rock Live (1996) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #32)
- Live at BudokanLive at Budokan (Mr. Big album)Live at Budokan is a live album by the hard rock band Mr. Big. It was released in 1997.-Track listing:#"Intro/Piano"#"Trapped in Toyland"#"Take Cover"#"Green-Tinted Sixties Mind"#"Jane Doe"...
(1997) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #20) - "StaticStatic (Mr. Big album)Static is an album by hard rock band Mr. Big. It was released in 2000.-Track listing:# Static# Static # Superfantastic # Electrified # Hiding Place # To Be With You...
" (2000) (Japan Oricon Single Chart #66) - In Japan (2002) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #12)
- Back To BudokanBack to BudokanBack to Budokan is a live album CD and DVD by the hard rock band Mr. Big. The performance was recorded at Budokan in Tokyo, Japan Jun 20, 2009.-Disc 1:# "Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy " - 4:48# "Take Cover" - 4:46...
(2009) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #50) - Live from the Living Room (2011)
Singles
- "Addicted to That Rush" (1989) (Mainstream Rock Tracks #39)
- "Wind Me Up" (1989)
- "Green-Tinted Sixties MindGreen-Tinted Sixties Mind"Green-Tinted Sixties Mind" is a song by American band Mr. Big, which appears on the 1991 album Lean into It and as the B-side for "To Be with You". Written by Paul Gilbert, the lyrics concern an old-fashioned girl, living as if she were in the sixties...
" (1991) (Mainstream Rock Tracks #33, UK #72) - "To Be with YouTo Be with You"To Be with You" is a song by the American hard rock band Mr. Big. It appears on the album Lean into It. The song charted in 20 plus countries, many of them at number one, such as on the United States Billboard Hot 100...
" (1991) (The Billboard Hot 100 #1 (3 weeks), Mainstream Rock Tracks #19, Adult Contemporary #11, UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#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, was featured in the TV series Mega ManMega Man (TV series)Mega Man, known in Japan as , is a Japanese-American animated television series multi-produced by Capcom Productions, Ruby-Spears Productions, Ashi Productions and Ocean Group and is based on the game series of the same name. The TV series began in 1994 and ended in 1995, and was aired on many...
) - "Not One NightNot One NightNot One Night is an EP by the hard rock band Mr. Big.-Track listing:# "Not One Night"# "Take a Walk" # "Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy"...
" (1997) - "Superfantastic" (2000) (Japan Oricon Single Chart #97)
- "Where Are They Now" (2000) (Japan Oricon Single Chart #47)
- "Shine" (2001) (Japan Oricon Single Chart #1, ending for HellsingHellsingis a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kouta Hirano. It first premiered in Young King Ours in 1997 and ended in September 2008. The individual chapters are collected and published in tankōbon volumes by Shōnen Gahosha. As of March 2009 all chapters have been released in 10 volumes in...
anime OVA) - "Arrow" (2001) (Japan Oricon Single Chart #42)
- "Undertow" (2010)
- "All The Way Up" (2011)
Compilations
- Big Bigger Biggest: Greatest HitsBig Bigger Biggest: Greatest HitsBig, Bigger, Biggest! The Best Of Mr. Big is a compilation CD and DVD by the hard rock band Mr. Big. CD released in 1996 and DVD released in 2009 , it contains the following songs:-Track listing for japanese CD edition:...
(1996) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #2, JPN – 4x Platinum) - Deep CutsDeep Cuts (Mr. Big album)Deep Cuts: The Best Of The Ballads is a compilation album by hard rock band Mr. Big. It was released in 2000. The two opening tracks "Where Are They Now" and "I'll Leave It Up to You" are previously unreleased. Tracks 3, 4 & 5 "Had Enough", "Promise Her the Moon" and "Just Take My Heart" are songs...
(2000) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #12) - Greatest Hits (2004) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #70)
- Next Time Around (2009) (Japan Oricon Album Chart #10)