Pat Torpey, drummer for Mr.Big, revealed in a recent statement he’s been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. “I’ve been dealing with Parkinson’s symptoms for the past couple of years and only recently received a confirmed diagnosis as symptoms worsened,” Torpey’s statement reads. “I intend to fight the disease with same intensity and tenacity that I drum and live my life by and will continue recording and performing, as always, to the best of my ability.”
Although his disease will force Mr. Big to find a replacement drummer while touring behind their upcoming album …The Stories We Could Tell, Loudwire reports Torpey will man the sticks for at least a few songs during each concert. The band stated in their website that they plan to announce a drummer in the near future whom will handle most of MR BIG’s drumming duties on the Fall 2014 tour but expect Pat to jump on the drums on suitable live songs as well as participating in the our acoustic set.
The 60 year old Cleveland, Ohio native has also played with Impellitteri, The Knack, David Lee Roth Band and the Exile Social Club, Jon Parr & Belinda Carlisle. Pat formed Mr. Big in the late 80s with Eric Martin, Billy Sheehan & Paul Gilbert. Because of Mr. Big’s popularity in Japan and Asia, Pat released two solo albums overseas, Odd Man Out and Y2K in 1998 and 1999. Pat also has two instructional videos overseas, “Big Drums” with Billy Sheehan and Rock Groove Drumming. Both provide insight into his original and creative drum parts.