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JEFF SKUNK BAXTER

Eric Martin, born in Long Island, New York, began his music career in the late 1970s, fronting local bands before forming the Eric Martin Band in 1983. The group quickly built a strong following in California, leading to a record deal with Elektra Records. Martin launched a solo career with Capitol Records from 1985 to 1987, where his raw, emotive rock and soul voice set him apart and prepared him for international success.

In 1988, he co-founded Mr. Big, a rock supergroup known for hits like “To Be With You,” “Wild World,” “Shine,” and “Just Take My Heart.” The band achieved massive success, especially in Asia, South America, and Europe, thanks to their blend of rock hooks and virtuosic musicianship, continuing to captivate audiences for more than 30 years.

Beyond Mr. Big, Martin has engaged in several high-profile projects that showcase his vocal versatility. In Japan, he’s widely known for his Mr. Vocalist albums, in which he reinterprets popular Japanese and Western ballads, endearing him to Japanese audiences. He also collaborated with Japanese guitar legend Tak Matsumoto in the Tak Matsumoto Group (TMG), merging Japanese rock influences with his own rock roots and expanding his global fanbase.

For the past 13 years, Martin has contributed to Avantasia, Tobias Sammet’s symphonic metal opera project, where he demonstrates another side of his vocal range through both studio recordings and live performances. Today, his solo shows blend songs from these collaborations with Mr. Big classics and his own material, offering fans an intimate journey through his multifaceted career.