Pat Torpey
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Patrick Allan Torpey (December 13, 1953 – February 7, 2018) was an American musician, best known as the drummer for the rock band Mr. Big, as well as playing for other various singers and artists such as John Parr,
Belinda Carlisle Belinda Jo Carlisle ( ; born August 17, 1958) is an American singer and songwriter. She gained fame as the lead vocalist of the Go-Go's, one of the most successful all-female rock bands of all time, and went on to have a prolific career as a sol ...
,
Robert Plant Robert Anthony Plant (born 20 August 1948) is an English singer and songwriter. He was the lead singer and lyricist of the rock band Led Zeppelin from its founding in 1968 until their breakup in 1980. Since then, he has had a successful solo ca ...
, Montrose,
Richie Kotzen Richard Dale Kotzen Jr. (born February 3, 1970) is an American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter. As a solo artist, Kotzen has a back catalogue of more than 20 album releases. He was signed to California-based Shrapnel Records from 1988 to ...
and
the Knack The Knack was an American power pop band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1978 by Doug Fieger (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Berton Averre (lead guitar, backing vocals), Prescott Niles (bass) and Bruce Gary (drums). Spearheaded by the succes ...
. Torpey also recorded with
Impellitteri Impellitteri is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles formed and led by guitarist Chris Impellitteri, singer Rob Rock, and bassist James Amelio Pulli. The band has sold millions of albums worldwide. History Chris Impellitteri for ...
and
Ted Nugent Theodore Anthony Nugent (; born December 13, 1948) is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, and political activist. He goes by several nicknames, including Uncle Ted, the Nuge, and Motor City Madman. Nugent initially gained fame as the le ...
.


Early years

Torpey was born in Painesville, Ohio, on December 13, 1953. He first became interested in drumming as a child after seeing a drummer in a
polka Polka is a dance style and genre of dance music in originating in nineteenth-century Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic. Though generally associated with Czech and Central European culture, polka is popular throughout Europe and the ...
band performing at a local picnic. In high school, Torpey immersed himself in all available music programs, including concert, orchestra, marching and stage bands. About his teenage years, he said: "I wanted to play everything percussion, and I convinced my mother to buy me a used drum kit for my thirteenth birthday." His family moved to
Phoenix, Arizona Phoenix ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Arizona#List of cities and towns, most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona. With over 1.6 million residents at the 2020 census, it is the ...
, where he began to hone his skills by playing in various local bands.


Career


Beginnings: 1983–1988

In 1983, Torpey moved to Los Angeles. He recounts the beginning of his career: "I'm a pretty good softball player and joined an entertainment league, and through that, I was able to make some new friends and network my way into a couple of gigs. I became a regular on the ''
American Bandstand ''American Bandstand'' (AB) is an American Music television, music performance and dance television series that aired in various iterations from 1952 to 1989. It was hosted by Dick Clark who also served as the program's Television producer, pr ...
'' and '' Solid Gold'' TV shows performing with Ben E. King,
Mike + The Mechanics Mike may refer to: Animals * Mike (cat), cat and guardian of the British Museum * Mike the Headless Chicken, chicken that lived for 18 months after his head had been cut off * Mike (chimpanzee), a chimpanzee featured in several books and documenta ...
,
Melissa Manchester Melissa Manchester (born February 15, 1951) is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Since the 1970s, her songs have been played by adult contemporary radio stations. She has also appeared on television, in films, and on stage. Early li ...
,
Bob Geldof Robert Frederick Zenon Geldof (; born 5 October 1951) is an Irish singer-songwriter and political activist. He rose to prominence in the late 1970s as the lead singer of the Irish rock band the Boomtown Rats, who achieved popularity as part ...
, and a few I can't even remember." In 1985, Torpey successfully auditioned for the British pop-rock singer John Parr, who at the time had a #1 hit song, " St. Elmo's Fire", and had attained the opening slot for
Tina Turner Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock; November 26, 1939 – May 24, 2023) was a singer, songwriter, actress, and author. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Queen of Rock 'n' Roll", her vocal prowess, raspy voice, and electrifyin ...
on her Private Dancer tour. When that tour ended he became the drummer for
Belinda Carlisle Belinda Jo Carlisle ( ; born August 17, 1958) is an American singer and songwriter. She gained fame as the lead vocalist of the Go-Go's, one of the most successful all-female rock bands of all time, and went on to have a prolific career as a sol ...
on her first solo tour, opening for
Robert Palmer Robert Allen Palmer (19 January 1949 – 26 September 2003) was an English singer and songwriter. He was known for his powerful and soulful voice, sartorial elegance and stylistic explorations, combining soul, funk, jazz, rock, pop, regga ...
. Torpey further explains: "In 1987, I was doing a television show with
Roger Daltrey Sir Roger Harry Daltrey (born 1 March 1944) is an English singer, musician and actor. He is the co-founder and lead vocalist of the Rock music, rock band the Who, known for his powerful voice and charismatic stage presence. His stage persona ear ...
and
Bobby Colomby Robert Wayne Colomby (born December 20, 1944) is a jazz-fusion drummer, record producer and television presenter. He is best known as an original member of the group Blood, Sweat & Tears, which he co-founded in 1967. He has also played with many ...
from
Blood, Sweat and Tears Blood, Sweat & Tears (also known as "BS&T") is an American jazz rock music group founded in New York City in 1967, noted for a combination of brass with rock instrumentation. BS&T has gone through numerous iterations with varying personnel and ...
approached me and asked me if I was available to do some studio work. Colomby was producing a couple of tracks for
the Knack The Knack was an American power pop band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1978 by Doug Fieger (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Berton Averre (lead guitar, backing vocals), Prescott Niles (bass) and Bruce Gary (drums). Spearheaded by the succes ...
, and their original drummer had just left the band. I loved their music and what great fun for a drummer. They asked me to join the band."


Mr. Big: 1988–2002, 2009–2018


Rise to fame

While on tour with the Knack, Torpey was noticed by
Billy Sheehan William Sheehan (born March 19, 1953) is an American musician known for playing bass guitar with acts such as Talas, Steve Vai, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, Niacin, and The Winery Dogs. He is also known for his "lead bass" playing style, includ ...
and
Paul Gilbert Paul Brandon Gilbert (born November 6, 1966) is an American hard rock and heavy metal music, heavy metal guitarist. He is the co-founder of the band Mr. Big (American band), Mr. Big, and was also a member of Racer X (band), Racer X, with whom he ...
, who were looking for a drummer for a new band. "I loved playing with the Knack but when Billy approached me I jumped at the chance." Mr. Big secured a recording contract with
Atlantic Records Atlantic Recording Corporation (simply known as Atlantic Records) is an American record label founded in October 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson. Over the course of its first two decades, starting from the release of its first recor ...
but before the band started work on the first CD, Torpey was tapped to play drums with Robert Plant on his ''
Now and Zen ''Now and Zen'' is the fourth solo studio album by Robert Plant, released 29 February 1988 by Es Paranza Records, Plant's own label. The album made the top 10 in the US (No. 6) and UK (No. 10). It was certified triple platinum by the RIAA on 7 ...
'' tour when Plant's drummer Chris Blackwell was injured. "Led Zeppelin was such a huge influence and the guys in Mr. Big knew what a fantastic opportunity it was and they gave me their blessing. 'Communication Breakdown' every night, what a rush!!!" Mr. Big band was initially successful in Japan, but achieved international stardom with the 1991 release of their second studio album ''
Lean into It ''Lean into It'' is the second studio album by the American rock band Mr. Big, released on April 2, 1991. The band's breakthrough release, ''Lean into It'' peaked at number 15 on the ''Billboard'' 200 charts, while the single "To Be with You" ...
''. This album featured the acoustic ballad "
To Be with You "To Be with You" is a song by American rock band Mr. Big, released in November 1991 as the second single from their second album, '' Lean into It'' (1991), on which it appears as the closing track. The ballad reached number one on the US ''Bil ...
" which received strong play on radio stations and
MTV MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...
, rising to #1 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. For fourteen years Mr. Big toured the world, headlining as well as opening for
Aerosmith Aerosmith is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Boston in 1970. The group consists of lead vocalist Steven Tyler, bassist Tom Hamilton (musician), Tom Hamilton, drummer Joey Kramer, and guitarists Joe Perry (musician), Joe Perry and B ...
, Rush,
Bryan Adams Bryan Guy Adams (born November 5, 1959) is a British and Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, and photographer. He is estimated to have sold between 75 million and more than 100 million album, records and Single (music), si ...
, the Scorpions and others, garnering a reputation for their musicianship and live performances.


Reunion

In January 2009, Torpey reunited with his old Mr. Big bandmates Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert and Billy Sheehan for a reunion tour. In 2010, they recorded and released the album '' What If...'' with producer
Kevin Shirley Kevin Shirley, also known as The Caveman, is a South African music producer, engineer, audio mixer, and musician. He has produced music for many artists, including Silverchair, Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin, The Hoodoo Gurus, The Angels, and C ...
. 2011 saw them back together for a world tour supporting the new album. He continued to tour and record with the band through two more albums, '' ...The Stories We Could Tell'' (2014) and '' Defying Gravity'' (2017). Although health problems (specifically
Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease (PD), or simply Parkinson's, is a neurodegenerative disease primarily of the central nervous system, affecting both motor system, motor and non-motor systems. Symptoms typically develop gradually and non-motor issues become ...
) hampered his involvement in later days, he remained very much a part of the band up through his death in 2018.


Solo work and other projects: 2002–2018

Torpey had been noted as an accomplished backing vocalist with an extensive vocal range, often singing cover songs in the Mr. Big show during his encore, including singing
Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The core lineup of the band comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are widely regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatle ...
songs during his drum solo. Due to Mr. Big's popularity in Japan and Asia, Torpey released two solo albums for the Japanese market in collaboration with
Lanny Cordola Lanny Cordola (born December 1, 1960) is an American guitarist, songwriter and producer. He has been a member of bands such as Giuffria, House of Lords and Magdallan (also known as Magdalen after Ken Tamplin's departure). Before joining Giuffria, ...
and
Chuck Wright Chuck Wright (born September 13, 1959) is an American bassist, best known as a member of the hard rock/heavy metal band Quiet Riot. He originally joined Quiet Riot in 1982, playing bass on the tracks " Metal Health (Bang Your Head)" and "Don' ...
, 1998's ''Odd Man Out'' and 1999's ''Odd Man Out: Y2K''. Several tracks from these albums were reworked from Cordola and Wright's previous band Chaos Is The Poetry. Torpey played for the reformed version of Montrose; the "new" band stepped up for a memorable debut performance at the Los Angeles Key Club on April 29, 2002, in honour of
Ozzy Osbourne John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne (born 3 December 1948) is an English singer, songwriter, and media personality. He rose to prominence during the 1970s as the lead singer of the heavy metal music, heavy metal band Black Sabbath, during which per ...
and
Mötley Crüe Mötley Crüe is an American Heavy metal music, heavy metal band formed in Hollywood, California, in 1981 by bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, with guitarist Mick Mars and lead vocalist Vince Neil joining right after. The band has sol ...
drummer
Randy Castillo Randolpho Francisco Castillo (December 18, 1950 – March 26, 2002) was an American musician. He was Ozzy Osbourne's drummer during the mid-1980s to the early 1990s, and later as drummer for Mötley Crüe, from 1999 to 2000. Early life Castil ...
. In 2004, he toured with
Richie Kotzen Richard Dale Kotzen Jr. (born February 3, 1970) is an American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter. As a solo artist, Kotzen has a back catalogue of more than 20 album releases. He was signed to California-based Shrapnel Records from 1988 to ...
as a drummer for his UK club tour and South American leg; he also played with Billy Sheehan on
Johnny Hiland Johnny Hiland is a legally blind American musician/guitarist. Early life Hiland grew up in Maine, with an eye disease called nystagmus. He started playing guitar at age 2, played his first talent show at age 5, performed on Dick Stacey's Jamb ...
's first self-titled album, ''Johnny Hiland''. Torpey returned to
the Knack The Knack was an American power pop band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1978 by Doug Fieger (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Berton Averre (lead guitar, backing vocals), Prescott Niles (bass) and Bruce Gary (drums). Spearheaded by the succes ...
in the same year. At the end of 2006, Torpey joined "The Exile Social Club", a band that relives old rock 'n' roll hits and includes
Chuck Wright Chuck Wright (born September 13, 1959) is an American bassist, best known as a member of the hard rock/heavy metal band Quiet Riot. He originally joined Quiet Riot in 1982, playing bass on the tracks " Metal Health (Bang Your Head)" and "Don' ...
from
Quiet Riot Quiet Riot is an American heavy metal music, heavy metal band founded in Los Angeles in 1973 by guitarist Randy Rhoads, bassist Kelly Garni, and vocalist Kevin DuBrow. The original lineup featured Rhoads and Garni with lead vocalist Kevin Du ...
,
Jason Hook Jason Hook (born Thomas Jason Grinstead; 1970/1971) is a Canadian guitarist, best known as the former lead guitarist of the American heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch. After his departure, he founded the heavy metal/hard rock band Flat ...
, and David Victor. Torpey had been involved in live performances at clinics for
Tama Drums Tama Drums (from Japanese: (Kanji); (Kana)) is a brand of drums and hardware manufactured and marketed by Hoshino Gakki. The research and development of its products, along with production of its professional drum lines, is done in Seto, ...
in Japan, Russia, China, Indonesia, Philippines and many other parts of the world. Torpey has two instructional videos, ''Big Drums'' (performing several Mr. Big songs with Billy Sheehan) and ''Rock Groove Drumming'', showing his approach to paradiddles, grace notes,
heel-toe technique Heel-toe technique is a foot technique that drummers use to be able to play single strokes or double strokes on the bass drum, hi-hat, or other pedals. Origin The heel-toe foot technique was pioneered by drummers of the big band era.
, and very fast triplets and double strokes with feet. Both provide insight into his drum parts on Mr. Big songs ("Addicted to That Rush", "Temperamental", "Mr. Gone", "Take Cover" and "Colorado Bulldog").


Parkinson's disease diagnosis and death

He announced on July 25, 2014, that he had been diagnosed with
Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease (PD), or simply Parkinson's, is a neurodegenerative disease primarily of the central nervous system, affecting both motor system, motor and non-motor systems. Symptoms typically develop gradually and non-motor issues become ...
and would be unable to perform all of his normal drumming duties on the band's 2014–15 world tour in support of the album '' ...The Stories We Could Tell''. "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 said. "I intend to fight the disease with the 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." Torpey acted as a "drum producer" on Mr. Big's 2017 album, '' Defying Gravity'', also contributing drums and percussion to some tracks on the record, and playing percussion on tour, though
Matt Starr Matt Starr is an American drummer. He has performed with numerous artists and bands throughout his career, including Ace Frehley, Joe Lynn Turner, Love/Hate (band), Love/Hate, Kevin DuBrow, and Mr. Big (American band), Mr. Big. Career In 2005, ...
had mostly taken over lead drummer duties at that point. Torpey died from complications of Parkinson's disease at the age of 64 on February 7, 2018.


Discography


Solo

* ''Odd Man Out'' (1998) * ''Odd Man Out: Y2K'' (1999)


with Impellitteri

* ''
Stand in Line ''Stand in Line'' is the first studio album by heavy metal band Impellitteri, released in 1988 through Relativity Records;Gomes, Whitney Z"Stand in Line - Impellitteri" ''AllMusic''. RhythmOne. Retrieved August 7, 2020. a remastered edition was ...
'' (1988)


with Mr. Big

* '' Mr. Big'' (1989) * ''
Lean into It ''Lean into It'' is the second studio album by the American rock band Mr. Big, released on April 2, 1991. The band's breakthrough release, ''Lean into It'' peaked at number 15 on the ''Billboard'' 200 charts, while the single "To Be with You" ...
'' (1991) * '' Bump Ahead'' (1993) * '' Hey Man'' (1996) * '' Get Over It'' (1999) * ''
Actual Size ''Actual Size'' is the sixth album by the American rock band Mr. Big. Released in August 2001 through Atlantic Records, it was the band's final album with the label, their second and final studio album to feature guitarist Richie Kotzen, and th ...
'' (2001) * '' What If...'' (2011) * '' ...The Stories We Could Tell'' (2014) * '' Defying Gravity'' (2017)


with The Knack

* ''
Normal as the Next Guy ''Normal as the Next Guy'' is the sixth and final studio album by American rock band the Knack, released on September 25th, 2001. It marks the fourth comeback attempt by the band after its second album, '' ...But the Little Girls Understand'', ...
'' (2001)


Session and guest appearances

* Jeff Paris – ''Race to Paradise'' (1986) *
Stan Bush Stan Bush (born July 10, 1953) is an American singer-songwriter and rock musician. He is perhaps best-known for his song " The Touch", featured in the 1986 movie '' The Transformers: The Movie''. Career Bush began with his first studio album i ...
& Barrage – ''Stan Bush & Barrage'' (1987) *
Mötley Crüe Mötley Crüe is an American Heavy metal music, heavy metal band formed in Hollywood, California, in 1981 by bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, with guitarist Mick Mars and lead vocalist Vince Neil joining right after. The band has sol ...
– '' Girls, Girls, Girls'' (1987) *
Ted Nugent Theodore Anthony Nugent (; born December 13, 1948) is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, and political activist. He goes by several nicknames, including Uncle Ted, the Nuge, and Motor City Madman. Nugent initially gained fame as the le ...
– '' If You Can't Lick 'Em...Lick 'Em'' (1988) * Razor Baby – ''Too Hot to Handle'' (1988) * Michael Thompson Band – ''How Long'' (1989) *
Andrew Ridgeley Andrew John Ridgeley (born 26 January 1963) is an English musician, best known for his work in the 1980s in the musical duo Wham! consisting of Ridgeley and George Michael. Associated with the MTV-driven Second British Invasion of the US, th ...
– ''
Son of Albert ''Son of Albert'' is the only studio album by Andrew Ridgeley. Originally released in May 1990, Ridgeley's effort was a sharp turn away from his former pop image with Wham! years earlier. Focusing more on guitars and drums, the critical reaction ...
'' (1990) *
Frederiksen Frederiksen is a Danish patronymic surname meaning "son of Frederik". The Norwegian counterpart is Fredriksen and the Swedish is Fredriksson. People *Annette Frederiksen (1954–2022), Danish footballer * Axel Frederiksen (1894–1951), Danish ...
/ Phillips – ''Frederiksen/Phillips'' (1995) *
Akira Takasaki is a Japanese musician. He is best known as the lead guitarist and sole constant member of the heavy metal band Loudness. He is also the guitarist of the band Lazy, with which he first rose to prominence in the 1970s. Career He started his ...
– ''Wa'' (1996) * Honey – ''Paradise'' (1997) *
Paul Gilbert Paul Brandon Gilbert (born November 6, 1966) is an American hard rock and heavy metal music, heavy metal guitarist. He is the co-founder of the band Mr. Big (American band), Mr. Big, and was also a member of Racer X (band), Racer X, with whom he ...
– '' King of Clubs'' (1998) *
Niacin Nicotinic acid, or niacin, is an organic compound and a vitamer of vitamin B3, an essential human nutrient. It is produced by plants and animals from the amino acid tryptophan. Nicotinic acid is also a prescription medication. Amounts f ...
– ''High Bias'' (1998) * Velocity – ''Impact'' (1998) *
Richie Kotzen Richard Dale Kotzen Jr. (born February 3, 1970) is an American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter. As a solo artist, Kotzen has a back catalogue of more than 20 album releases. He was signed to California-based Shrapnel Records from 1988 to ...
– ''What Is...'' (1998) * Stream – ''Nothing Is Sacred'' (1999) * Velocity – ''Activator'' (2001) * Hideki – ''Punk Drunker'' (2002) * Richie Kotzen – ''
Change Change, Changed or Changing may refer to the below. Other forms are listed at Alteration * Impermanence, a difference in a state of affairs at different points in time * Menopause, also referred to as "the change", the permanent cessation of t ...
'' (2003) *
Johnny Hiland Johnny Hiland is a legally blind American musician/guitarist. Early life Hiland grew up in Maine, with an eye disease called nystagmus. He started playing guitar at age 2, played his first talent show at age 5, performed on Dick Stacey's Jamb ...
– ''Johnny Hiland'' (2004) *
Chuck Wright Chuck Wright (born September 13, 1959) is an American bassist, best known as a member of the hard rock/heavy metal band Quiet Riot. He originally joined Quiet Riot in 1982, playing bass on the tracks " Metal Health (Bang Your Head)" and "Don' ...
's Sheltering Sky – ''Chuck Wright's Sheltering Sky'' (2022)


References


External links

*
Torpey's solo with Mr. Big
{{DEFAULTSORT:Torpey, Pat 1953 births 2018 deaths Drummers from Cleveland American heavy metal drummers Glam metal musicians Mr. Big (American band) members Deaths from Parkinson's disease in the United States Impellitteri members 20th-century American drummers American male drummers 20th-century American male musicians The David Lee Roth Band members