Mr. Big are back with their first Studio album in 14 years by the original members. The new album entitled “What If…”was produced by Kevin Shirley (Aerosmith, Rush, Iron Maiden). The album is set to be release in early 2011 on Frontiers Records and will be followed by a World Tour beginning in South America in March. “What If…” is the follow up to 2009′s highly successful, “Back To Budokan” CD/DVD which marked the bands triumphant return to Japan with a sold out show at legendary Budokan!
Formed in 1988, Mr. Big forged its place in hard rock history by combining trademark “shredding” musicianship with awesome vocal harmonies. The original line-up – vocalist Eric Martin, guitarist Paul Gilbert, bassist Billy Sheehan, and drummer Pat Torpey. Mr. Big produced numerous hit songs that ranged across a wide array of rock genres – be it ballads, heavy metal, or blues rock.
Their hits included “To Be With You” (Billboard Hot 100 number one single in 15 countries for weeks, in 1991, propelling the band the band to huge international success and record sales in the multi-millions), “Wild World”, Green-Tinted sixties Mind”, “Just Take My Heart”, and a host of Heavy Metal songs that were played mostly during their live performances: “Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy”, “Addicted to that Rush”, “Colorado Bulldog”, and “Take Cover”.
Each of the members of Mr. Big is also a reputable virtuoso in the music industry. Billy Sheehan has won dozens of “Best Bass Player” awards in numerous magazines, including an unprecedented 14 years in a row from Player Magazine, Japan’s number-one music magazine. Paul Gilbert is recognized as one of the top guitarists of this generation. Aside from the tons of albums he released since his departure from Mr. Big, he frequently holds clinics and designs guitars for Ibanez.
Pat Torpey has been conducting clinics for Tama drums and has been releasing instructional albums as well.