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Pat Torpey
Date de naissance 13.12.1959 à Cleveland, OH, Etats-Unis d Amérique
Date de décès 7.2.2018
Pat Torpey
Pat Torpey | |
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Birth name | Pat Torpey |
Born | December 13 1959 |
Origin | Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
Genres | Hard rock Heavy metal |
Occupations | Drummer, Songwriter, Singer |
Instruments | Drums, Bass, Vocals |
Years active | 1983–present |
Associated acts | Mr. Big, Richie Kotzen (solo), David Lee Roth Band, The Knack, Impellitteri |
Pat Torpey is an American rock and roll drummer, known as the drummer of the hard rock band Mr. Big. He has also played for Impellitteri, The Knack, David Lee Roth Band and the Exile Social Club. He is noted by Neil Peart for composing unique rhythms such as that of "Take Cover", a rock song from Mr. Big.
Early years
Pat Torpey was born in Cleveland, Ohio on December 13, 1959. At age 7, he first played the drums. He tells the story: "I was at a family and friends picnic and there was a polka band. I was sitting on a railing behind the drummer and was fascinated at what I saw and heard. I went home and fashioned my own 'signature' drum sticks out of a fallen tree branch from our front yard".
In high school, Torpey immersed himself in all available music programs, concert, orchestra, marching and stage bands. About his teenage years, he says: "I wanted to play everything percussion and I convinced my mother to buy me a used drum-kit for my thirteenth birthday. Torpey's family moved to Phoenix, where he then began honing his skills in local bands, from rock, to funk, to jazz, to pop.
Beginnings of his career
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 and Solid Gold TV shows performing with Benny King, Mike and the Mechanics, Melissa Manchester, Bob Geldof, and a few I can't even remember."
1985, Torpey auditioned for the British poprock singer John Parr, who was riding high on his #1 hit "St. Elmo's Fire" and had landed the opening slot for Tina Turner on her Private Dancer tour. When that tour ended he became the drummer for Belinda Carlisle on her first solo tour, opening for Robert Palmer.
Pat narrates further, 1987, I was doing a television show with Roger Daltrey and Bobby Columby from Blood, Sweat and Tears approached me and asked me if I was available to do some studio work. Columby was producing a couple tracks for The Knack, 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
Playing around Los Angeles with The Knack was the pathway to Mr. Big. Billy Sheehan and Paul Gilbert were starting a new band and were on the hunt for a drummer. They saw Pat playing with The Knack and were impressed with his energy and style. "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 but before the band started work on the first CD Torpey was tapped to play drums with Robert Plant on his Now and Zen tour. "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!!!"
In 1992, Mr. Big's international hit song "To Be With You" was no.1 in the U.S. and fifteen other countries and top five in many more. For fourteen years Mr. Big toured the world, headlining as well as opening for Aerosmith, Rush, Bryan Adams and The Scorpions to name a few, garnering a reputation for their world class musicianship and totally 'live' performances.
Solo albums
Because of Mr. Bigs 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.
Gear
Pat uses Tama drums, Zildjian cymbals, and Promark Sticks. During his time with Mr. Big, he used Tama Artstar drums and can be seen in almost all the photos and videos of his drums. More recently, he has been using Tama Starclassic drums as the Artstar series has been discontinued.
Other projects
Lately, Torpey has been involved in myriad studio projects, live performances at clinics for Tama drums in Japan, Russia, China, Indonesia, Philippines and many other parts of the world.
In 2004, he toured with Richie Kotzen as drummer for his UK club tour; he also played with Billy Sheehan in Johnny Hiland's first self-titled album, Johnny Hiland.
Torpey also played for Chris Impellitteri.
In the end of 2006, Pat joined "The Exile Social Club", a particular kind of band that relives old Rock'n'Roll hits. This band is formed also by Chuck Wright, from Quiet Riot, Jason Hook and David Victor.
Reunion of Mr. Big
In January 2009, Pat Torpey reunites with his old Mr. Big band-mates Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert and Billy Sheehan for a reunion tour in Japan and possibly the world. They are currently recording a new album with producer Kevin Shirley.[1]
Discography
Solo albums / Projects
- Odd Man Out CD (1998)
- Y2K CD (1999)
- Big Drums Instructional Video (????)
- Rock Groove Drumming Instructional Video (????)
- Johnny Hiland CD (2004)
Mr. Big
- Mr. Big CD (1989)
- Raw Like Sushi CD (1990)
- Lean Into It CD (1991)
- Raw Like Sushi II CD (1992)
- Bump Ahead CD (1993)
- Japandemonium: Raw Like Sushi 3 CD (1994)
- Channel V at the Hard Rock Live CD (1996)
- Hey Man CD (1996)
- Take Cover CD (1996)
- Not One Night CD (1997)
- Live at Budokan CD (1997)
- Get Over It CD (2000)
- Superfantastic CD (2000)
- Static CD (2000)
- Deep Cuts CD (2000)
- Actual Size CD (2001)
- Mr. Big in Japan CD (2002)
- What If... CD (2011)
Impellitteri
- Stand In Line CD (1988)
Richie Kotzen
- What Is... - 1998
- Change - 2003
Videos
- Greatest Video Hits (1996)
- Group Portrait (1993)
- Live in San Francisco (1992)
- Live and Kickin' (1992)
- Lean Into It (1991)
Clinics
- Milan, Italy (2007)
- Metro Manila, Philippines (2007)
References
External links
Mr. Big | |
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Eric Martin · Paul Gilbert · Billy Sheehan · Pat Torpey · Richie Kotzen | |
Studio albums | Mr. Big · Lean into It · Bump Ahead · Hey Man · Get Over It · Actual Size |
Live albums | Raw Like Sushi · Mr. Big Live · Raw Like Sushi II · Japandemonium: Raw Like Sushi 3 · Channel V at the Hard Rock Live · Live at Budokan · In Japan Live at the Hard Rock Cafe |
Singles | Addicted to That Rush · Green-Tinted Sixties Mind · To Be With You · Just Take My Heart · Wild World · Ain't Seen Love Like That · Take Cover · Not One Night · Superfantastic · Static · Where Are They Now · Shine · Arrow |
Compilations | Big Bigger Biggest: Greatest Hits · Deep Cuts · Greatest Hits |
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