Mr. Big Reunites...Rocks the Budokan

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 the stage together for the first time in 13 years for a reunion tour of Japan.

The announcement, made by the band before a press-packed Hard Rock Café in Tokyo this week, brings back promises that the Japanese run will recapture the magic of the original chart-busting foursome: vocalist/frontman Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert, guitar, Ampeg endorsed bassist Billy Sheehan and Pat Torpey on 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.

Here's the where and when:

June 5 - Koseinenkin Kaikan - Sapporo, Japan

June 7 - Zepp - Sendai, Japan

June 9 - Kanazawa Koseinenkin - Kanazawa, Japan

June 10 - Zepp - Nagoya, Japan

June 12 - Zepp - Fukuoka, Japan

June 15 - Grand Cube - Osaka, Japan

June 17 - Yubin Chokin Hall - Hiroshima, Japan

June 18 - Koseinenkin Kaikan - Osaka, Japan

June 20 - Budokan - Tokyo, Japan

Form in 1988, Mr. Big forged its place in hard rock history, combining trademark “shredding” musicianship with awesome vocal harmonies. The 1989 self-titled album, Mr. Big, received critical and commercial success in the US and Japan, but it was the bands 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” propelled 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 shard 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 cover songs and the three had such a good time together, they contact 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.

***Ampeg endorser Billy Sheehan has a new solo album “Holy Cow!” available April 14^th. Check out Billy’s MySpace page for more details***