Drummer of Mr. Big Pat Torpey passed away yesterday from complications as a result of Parkinson's disease.
http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/mr-big-drummer-pat-torpey-dies-at-58
That's really sad. Everyone that knew him seemed to speak very highly of him. I wasn't a Mr. Big fan, but I did see them live at least twice and they were always totally pro.
He hadn't been well for a while. To a drummer, Parkinson's is especially cruel. Keep on banging the skins wherever you are.
I love how the rest of the band just kept bringing him along on tour when he wasn't able to play the drums anymore. He did backing vocals and a bit of percussion.
And sometimes they just swapped instruments and let him sing lead.
I think they were real friends.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcGi5NxzUSs
Cute.
There's a sort of irony there... a drummer stepping out front to cover that number... rip...
I saw them this past June, and I'm glad I had the chance to do so. Eric said recently that when Pat said he was done, Eric would be also. Without a doubt, the tightest rock band I've ever seen. Pat came out front and greeted the audience with the question, "What's shakin'?" - which was followed by an awkward response from the crowd. He feigned shock and then laughed at us. From what I've heard, he did this routinely on the tour - gotta love the attitude. RIP...