Original Mr. Big Reunites For Japanese Tour
Finally confirming the rumors that have been circulating the internet for weeks, all four original members of the popular 90's rock supergroup, Mr. Big, are taking to the stage together for the first time in 13 years for a reunion tour of Japan.
The Japanese run will bring back the magic of the original chart-busting foursome: vocalist / frontman Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert, guitar, Billy Sheehan, bass, and Pat Torpey, drums. The tour takes off in Sapporo on June 5 and culminates June 20 in Tokyo with a feature concert at Budokan—the famous Japanese venue known for its rich history of legendary performances by rock's elite. The band will record a live CD / DVD during the Budokan show that will also mark the band's 20 year anniversary!
Formed in 1988, Mr. Big forged its place in hard rock history combining trademark "shredding" mucicianship with awesome vocal harmonies and signed a record deal in 1989 with Atlantic Records. The self-titled album. Mr. Big, received critical and commercial success in the US and Japan but it was the band's second album, Lean Into It, that provided the major breakthrough. Lean Into It, featured two ballads that established the band as a commercial success, "To Be With You and "Just Take My Heart", propelling the band to huge international success and record sales in the multi-millions.
Gilbert left the band in 1996 to pursue a solo career and the original members had not shared a stage together until late 2008 at Gilbert solo show at the House of Blues in Los Angeles. Paul was joined onstage by Sheehan and Torpey to perform a couple of covers songs and the three had such a good time together, they contacted Martin a few days later and the reunion was put into motion.
While no concert dates beyond Japan have been announced as yet, the band is looking at possible dates in Southeast Asia and America later in the year
Mr. Big Japanese tour dates for June 2009:
6 / 5 Zepp Sapporo
6 / 7 Zepp Sendai
6 / 9 Kouseinenkin Hall Ishikawa
6 / 10 Zepp Nagoya
6 / 12 Zepp Hukuoka
6 / 15 Grand Cube Osaka
6 / 17 Hiroshima ALSOK Hall
6 / 18 Osaka Kouseinenkin Hall
6 / 20 Budokan
