Billy Sheehan says 'there is no plan' for Mr. Big to continue
Billy Sheehan says there is currently “no plan” for Mr. Big to continue following the death of drummer and co-founding member Pat Torpey last year.
Torpey died from complications of Parkinson’s disease on Wednesday 7th February 2018, and, in the wake of his passing, Mr. Big honoured all of their previously confirmed touring commitments – including a slot at Bloodstock Festival – in his memory.
Appearing on SiriusXM's Trunk Nation yesterday (4th March), bassist Billy Sheehan was asked if Mr. Big is still a “closed door” 13 months on from Torpey’s death.
"There is no plan," Sheehan replied (via Blabbermouth). "We went out just to finish some gigs that were already booked while Pat was alive, kind of to honour his memory a little bit. But it just ain't the same without him.
“I don't wanna be one of the bands — nothing against them. You've gotta do what you've gotta do. When you lose somebody and replace them and then replace somebody else, pretty soon the only thing original left is the logo.
“Nothing against bands that have to do that — I still love 'em, and that's great, and I'm glad for them — but it just didn't feel right doing that. We may go out in a year or so, maybe two years, and do some shows in some capacity. But I think we did the right thing by just moving on."
Mr. Big singer Eric Martin said last autumn that he still hoped the band could make an album this year.
He explained: “I want to do a new record and I also want to have a couple of different drummers on it—ones that Pat really liked; maybe Mike Portnoy, Gregg Bissonette, Ray Luzier from Korn, I really like his playing. Just get some great drummers to do something to honour Pat Torpey.”
However, he ruled out any further tours, adding: "Yeah, that's the last hurrah — that's it. It feels a little uncomfortable to keep going without Pat Torpey."
Mr. Big released their last studio album ‘Defying Gravity’ in July 2017.