Mr. Big concluded their highly anticipated farewell tour on Friday at Romania’s Way Too Far Rock Festival, leaving fans and band members reflecting on an incredible journey that began in 1988.
Bassist Billy Sheehan took to Instagram to share his thoughts, expressing gratitude for the fans who supported them over the decades. “Romania!!! Crowd was a little bit light, but they made up for it in enthusiasm! The last Mr. Big show (not my last show, goddammit!!),” Sheehan wrote. “What a great run we’ve had since 1988. We made great memories and millions (literally) of friends all around the world. My unlimited love and respect to all who listened, watched, purchased records, tickets, and T-shirts. Without you, we would have been nothing. Fact. Moving on now to other adventures, but never forgetting this amazing experience.”
Guitarist Paul Gilbert also reflected on the tour’s conclusion, noting the significance of the band’s journey. “What an adventure! Mr. Big wraps up over a year of touring! Many thanks to all! I’ll get home just in time for my son’s 10th birthday. I hope he remembers who I am! And special thanks to Ibanez guitars for getting beautiful instruments to me after my touring guitars were stolen.”
Drummer Nick D’Virgilio, who joined the band in 2023, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to be part of the Mr. Big farewell tour. “I’ve been able to rock ‘n’ roll all over the world with the guys and I will be forever thankful,” he wrote. “Big Love for Mr. Big!”
Mr. Big Bids Farewell After Over Three Decades of Rock
The conclusion of this farewell tour marks the end of a significant chapter for Mr. Big, a band that has left an indelible mark on rock music. Formed in Los Angeles in 1988, the original lineup included Gilbert, Sheehan, vocalist Eric Martin, and late drummer Pat Torpey. Their self-titled debut album, released in 1989, achieved modest success, reaching No. 46 on the Billboard 200.
However, their true breakthrough came with their 1991 sophomore album, Lean Into It, which sold over a million copies in the United States. The album featured the chart-topping ballad “To Be With You” and the Top 20 hit “Just Take My Heart,” cementing their place in rock history.
As the grunge movement surged in the 1990s, Mr. Big’s popularity waned, but they continued to release albums throughout the decade and into the early 2000s. After disbanding in 2002, they reunited in 2009, embarking on a successful reunion tour in Japan. The band released several more albums and toured extensively until drummer Pat Torpey’s passing in 2018 due to complications from Parkinson’s disease.
The Mr. Big farewell tour was not only a celebration of their decades-long career but also a heartfelt goodbye to their loyal fans worldwide. As the band members move on to new adventures, their legacy as rock icons remains firmly intact.
