Drummer and founding member of Mr. Big, Pat Torpey, passed away Wednesday, February 7th at the age of 64 from complications of Parkinson’s disease. Family, band and management request privacy at this very difficult time. Services are pending.
Mr. Big (Torpey, Eric Martin, Billy Sheehan, and Paul Gilbert) released their ninth original studio album, Defying Gravity on July 21st.
Mr. Big, formed in 1988, produced numerous hit songs that ranged across a wide array of rock genres – be it ballads, heavy metal, or blues rock. Their hits included Alive and Kicking, Just Take My Heart and the chart-topping ballad, To Be With You“(Billboard Hot 100 #1 single in 15 countries for weeks in 1991, propelling the band the band to huge international success and multi-Platinum record sales).
6 Responses
Wow thats super sad. I saw Pat in sept 2016 in san fran play with mr.big. He played a handful of songs with the band and matt starr played the rest of the songs. Although you could tell the disease was affecting him at the time he was still functioning well I thought. It goes to show how quick and brutal this disease can be. RIP Pat.
Very sad news! I’m a big Mr. Big fan, and I had prayed that Pat T. could beat his disease, somehow. He was a great drummer, and true professional. RIP Pat! Prayers for the band and his family.
Oh, wow, so sad. I had read he was in declining health. R.I.P. your talent will be remembered.
Sad news. RIP, Pat.
I had the privilege of seeing Mr. Big perform at the Bacchanal Club in San Diego on the Lean Into It tour. Great show, great band, great musicianship.
I saw Mr. Big in a small club in Springfield, VA a few weeks before, “To Be With You” was a hit single. They blew that small room away; Pat was incredible, a great musical memory.
This is extremely sad news. He was a great drummer, and at the risk of sounding superficial, a very handsome man.
Parkinson’s is a very crippling, and devastating, disease, yet, Michael J. Fox seems to be doing well. One day soon, I hope genetic research can garner a cure, for this disease, as well as many others, as well.