In an interview with Roppongi Rocks Stefan Nilsson carried out on the MR BIG Tour bus behind the stage in The Skogsröjet Festival in Sweden on August 3rd MR BIG Frontman Eric Martin admitted again that he supported the group’s decision to end the tour after the completion of “The BIG Finale” Farewell tour. He said (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “This is the last tour, but it’s a little bittersweet because it’s the end, and every night is like a moment where you say, ‘Goodnight. Thank you.’ … And then I wave goodbye and think, ‘Oh, I’ll see you next time.’ But I’ll see you next time, probably at a karaoke bar, at a bar mitzvah or at an acoustic event, because I do acoustic shows every year, but I won’t be playing with the best musicians in the world – at least for me. So it’s Is bittersweet. And I think at some point – that was about a week ago – I started to think that maybe we are shooting ourselves in the foot here because we are so narrow and we Are in flames. And I don’t know if it’s a novelty that this “The BIG Finale” and it’s over and the crowds are coming, but the shows are sold out almost every night and the festivals are great.”
Martin further said that there was no chance for him and his MR BIG Bandmates break their word that they will never tour again. “We’re not the kind of band that says we’re stopping and it’s over and we’re not going to tour anymore… We might do a one-off show every couple of years or something, but we’re not going to be like the MÖTLEY CRÜEs and the KISS“Yes,” he explained. “And they don’t mind, because the crowds still come to see them, but we won’t. We’re just too proud, maybe.”
When asked whether there is a chance MR BIG to make more studio albums in the future, Eric said: “I recently did an interview with Billy (Sheehan, MR BIG bassist), and… I am not my brother’s keeper. I don’t know what he is thinking. I know what I I think I would like to make albums. If we don’t tour anymore for various reasons – I mean, I just don’t want to tour for long… It’s been a year now. I just can’t. I’m too old for that… Everyone says, “Oh, what about THE ROLLING STONES?’ Yes. What about THE ROLLING STONES? Fly in, play a show and two weeks later another show. Yeah, it’s a one-way tour. Hardly any hotels. I mean, the bus is enough, but it’s like a big camping trip for older men. So, I would love to do more albums. But the interview went like this. The guy says, “Are you going to do another album?” And I was like, “I would love to.” And Billy says, ‘No, that’s it.’ I say, ‘Fine.’ But he’s the guy who always says, ‘Never say never.'”
MR BIG played the last show of his “The BIG Finale” Farewell tour on 23 August in The Way Too Far Rock Festival 2024 in Bistrița, Romania.
After the concert Sheehan took to his social media to share a picture from the performance and added the following message: “Romania!!! The audience was a bit small but they made up for it with their enthusiasm! The last MR BIG Show (not MY last show, damn it!!).
“What a great run we’ve had since 1988. We’ve made great memories and millions (literally) of friends around the world. My boundless love and respect goes out to everyone who listened, watched, bought records, tickets and t-shirts – we would have been nothing without you. Fact. We’re moving on to other adventures now, but we’ll never forget this incredible experience.”
guitarist Paul Gilbert added: “What an adventure! MR BIG finished over a year of touring! Thank you EVERYONE! I will be home in time for my son’s 10th birthday. I hope he remembers who I am!”
drummer Nick D’Virgiliowho joined MR BIG in 2023 as a replacement for the late Patrick Torpeycommented: “It’s been an incredible run with @billysheehanonbass @paulgilbert_official and @iamericmartin. I’ve been able to rock with the guys all over the world and I will be forever grateful. Big love to MR BIG!”
MR BIGtenth studio album, “Ten”was published on July 12th via Frontiers Music SrlThe LP contains 11 new original tracks by Martin And Gilberttogether with André Pessis And Tony Fanucci. “Ten” was produced by Jay Ruston And MR BIG.
D’Virgilio missed most of the last European leg MR BIG‘S “The BIG Finale” Tour due to his commitments with his band BIG BIG TRAINHe was temporarily replaced on the hike by Edu Cominatoan experienced drummer from São Paulo, Brazil, who previously played with Sheehan And Martin, Jeff Scott Soto And Geoff Tate (KING’S CROSS), among other things.
When MR BIG announced “The BIG Finale” Tour last year, the band members said it was “time to mark the end of this chapter of their legacy” after drummer Patrick Torpey lost his battle with Parkinson’s disease in 2018. The first leg kicked off in July and August 2023 in Japan and Southeast Asia, where the band performed in front of hundreds of thousands of loyal fans at 11 sold-out shows, including at the Budokan in Tokyo, Japan.
MR BIGThe last live album by “The BIG Finale live”which was announced on 6 September via the Evolution Music Group.
“The BIG Finale live” is a brand new live album and concert film by MR BIG‘S “The BIG Finale” Farewell tour, on which the band performed their million-selling “Lean in” Full length album, plus additional MR BIG Classic.
