Early years

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Torpey was born in Cleveland on December 13, 1953. He first became interested in
drumming around the age of 8 after seeing a drummer in a polka band performing at a
family picnic.[1]

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." His family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, 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
Ben E. King, Mike + The Mechanics, Melissa Manchester, Bob Geldof, and a few I
can't even remember."[attribution needed]

Mrbig pattorpey.jpg
1985, Torpey auditioned for the British pop�rock 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 Colomby from Blood, Sweat and Tears approached me and asked me if I was
available to do some studio work. Colomby 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."[attribution needed]

Mr. Big
Playing around Los Angeles with The Knack was the pathway to Mr. Big. Billy Sheehan
and Paul Gilbert who 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 when Plant's drummer Chris Blackwell was injured.[2] "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
Pat Torpey has been noted as a great backing vocalist (with high vocal range) and
he often sings some cover songs in the Mr. Big show during his encore. Also he
sings some tunes from The Beatles during his drum solo. Because of Mr. Big's
popularity in Japan and Asia, Pat released two solo albums (as a singer) overseas,
Odd Man Out and Y2K in 1998 and 1999.

Instructional videos
Pat Torpey has two instructional videos, Big Drums (performing several Mr. Big
songs with Billy Sheehan) and Rock Groove Drumming, showing his unique approach of
paradiddles, grace notes, heel-toe technique, and very fast triplets and double
strokes with feet. Both provide insight into his original, creative and intricate
drum parts on Mr. Big songs ("Addicted to That Rush", "Temperamental", "Mr. Gone",
"Take Cover" and "Colorado Bulldog")

Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis

He announced on July 25, 2014 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease
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 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 latest album, Defying Gravity, and
played percussion on tour, though Matt Starr has taken over lead drummer duties.[3]

Death
Torpey died from complications of Parkinson's Disease at the age of 64 on February
7, 2018.[4]

Gear
Pat used 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 had been using Tama Starclassic drums as the
Artstar series has been discontinued.

Other projects
Following Mr. Big's apparent breakup, Torpey had 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.

Pat Torpey played for the reformed version of Montrose, the "new" band stepped for
a memorable debut performance at the Los Angeles Key Club on April 29, 2002 in
honour of Ozzy Osbourne and M�tley Cr�e drummer Randy Castillo.

In 2004, he toured with Richie Kotzen as drummer for his UK club tour and South
American leg; he also played with Billy Sheehan in Johnny Hiland's first self-
titled album, Johnny Hiland. Pat returns to The Knack in the same year.

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 reunited with his old Mr. Big bandmates Eric Martin,
Paul Gilbert and Billy Sheehan for a reunion tour.[citation needed] In 2010, they
recorded and released the album "What If..." with producer Kevin Shirley.[5] 2011
saw them back together for a world tour supporting the new album.[6]

Discography
Solo
Odd Man Out (1998)
Odd Man Out: Y2K (1999)
On other artist's albums
Impellitteri Stand in Line (1988)
Jeff Paris (musician) Race to Paradise (1986)
Ted Nugent If You Can't Lick 'Em...Lick 'Em (1988)
Andrew Ridgeley Son Of Albert (1990)
with Mr. Big
See: Mr. Big Discography

Mr. Big (1989)

Lean into It (1991)
Bump Ahead (1993)
Hey Man (1996)
Get Over It (1999)
Actual Size (2001)
What If... (2011)
...The Stories We Could Tell (2014)
Defying Gravity (2017) (Drum producer)
with Paul Gilbert
King Of Clubs (1998)
with Niacin
High Bias (1998)
with Velocity
Impact (1998)
with Stream
Nothing IS Sacred (1999)
with The Knack
Normal as the Next Guy (2001)
with Richie Kotzen
What Is... (1998)
Change (2003)
with Johnny Hiland
Johnny Hiland (2004)
with Hideki (ex. Siam Shade)
Punk Drunker (2002)
with Akira Takasaki
Wa (1996)