Mr. Big Announce Pat Torpey Tribute Show

Mr. Big have announced a memorial concert for their late drummer Pat Torpey, who died on Feb. 7 at the age of 64 as a result of complications from Parkinson’s disease.

Torpey played with the band between 1988 and 2002, and then again from 2009 to 2014, before his illness forced him to step back. Still, he remained part of the band as “drum producer,” and performing background vocals and percussion on tour.

"Mr. Big and Friends: Celebrating the Life of Pat Torpey" takes place on May 23 at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, Calif., and it’s set to feature former member Richie Kotzen, along with other guests to be announced. The band announced the show by displaying the poster on Facebook, and added, “We love you, Pat!”

Speaking about Torpey's contribution to Mr. Big's latest album, Defying Gravity, bassist Billy Sheehan told UCR, “As much as it’s Matt [Starr] playing on the record, it’s all completely and wholly directed by Pat. Some of that direction includes Pat saying to Matt, 'Do your thing here, don’t worry about how you think I might want to do it.' Which is good too. It really gave Matt a chance to do his thing, but still do a lot of things in the Pat Torpey style. … It’s a great back and forth that they have and I thought Matt just did a stellar job on the drumming on the record in general,. But the fact that he really took the Pat Torpey stylings and advice and did it selflessly and without ego and was just there to help a brother drummer, was really touching and really a great experience."

The memorial show takes place a week before Mr. Big band head out on an Australian and European tour. They have dates booked until August.