Drummer and founding member of MR. BIG, Pat Torpey, passed away Wednesday, February 7 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, July 21.
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).
Billy Sheehan:
My dear friends, I'm sorry to be the bearer of such sad news. Pat Torpey has been my closest friend in music for over thirty years. He passed away yesterday from complications as a result of Parkinson's disease. Pat was one of the finest human beings I've ever had the privilege of knowing, and the honor of working with.
All of us in Mr Big had nothing but the highest respect and admiration for him. He is loved by anyone and everyone who ever met him. And surely one of the finest rock drummers the world has ever known.
Please keep his sweet wife and wonderful son in your prayers.
I Love You, Pat. You made the world a better place. We will miss you. We will never forget you. Rest In Peace, my brother.
Billy
What can one say about the great Pat Torpey? One of the great drummers in rock, he was also one of the nicest guiys in the business and I'm personally grateful for the privilage of knowing him.
His contributions to rock music cannot be overstated. Mr. Big have a 25 year legacy, to which his drumming style made ever so better. He was the heart of the band and I know the guys were hit hard by his initial diagnosis of Parkinson's. But take a look at any of his live performances - he's always smiling.
I will remain an eternal fan of Pat's spirit and his work with Mr. Big, Impellitteri, Jeff Paris, Velocity, Richie Kotzen and many others...
