Mr. Big

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin "Mr. Big" by Mr. Big from their 1993 album Bump Ahead! This track is a high-energy cover of a song originally by the British rock band Free, from their 1970 album Fire and Water. The band named themselves after this very song, showcasing their admiration for Free’s bluesy, hard-rock vibe. In a 2017 interview with Louder, frontman Eric Martin shared that Free was a unifying influence for the band, with all members agreeing on their love for the group’s soulful sound. Martin noted, “The one band we all agreed on was Free,” highlighting how their cover of "Mr. Big" was a nod to their shared musical roots. This cover stands out on Bump Ahead for its shredding guitar riffs by Paul Gilbert and the powerful vocal harmonies that define Mr. Big’s style.

Another tidbit about "Mr. Big" comes from its live performances, which have become legendary among fans. A post on Reddit’s hairmetal community by user u/rcreezy in 2023 raved about the band’s live cover of "Mr. Big," urging fans to check out its raw energy. The song’s live rendition, especially from the Live at Budokan album, captures the band’s technical prowess, with Billy Sheehan’s basslines and Pat Torpey’s dynamic drumming elevating the track. Fans on Mr. Big’s Facebook page, which boasts over 257,000 likes, often share clips of these performances, praising the band’s ability to make the cover feel fresh while honoring Free’s original. The song’s inclusion on Bump Ahead, as noted in a 2025 X post by @mattyace25, helped solidify the album’s place as a fan favorite, released on September 21, 1993, by Atlantic Records.

Now, let’s dive into how Mr. Big got started. Formed in Los Angeles in 1988, the band was a supergroup of sorts, born from the vision of bassist Billy Sheehan, fresh off his stint with David Lee Roth’s solo band. Sheehan, often compared to Eddie Van Halen for his bass virtuosity, teamed up with Mike Varney of Shrapnel Records, a label known for shredding talent. They recruited vocalist Eric Martin, who had built a reputation on the West Coast club scene with his Eric Martin Band and a solo album produced by Journey’s Kevin Elson. Guitarist Paul Gilbert, formerly of Racer X, and drummer Pat Torpey, who’d played with Ted Nugent, completed the lineup. Their debut album, Mr. Big (1989), blended melodic hard rock with technical brilliance, landing them a deal with Atlantic Records. Despite the rise of grunge, their 1991 album Lean Into It and the No. 1 hit “To Be With You” cemented their global fame, especially in Japan, where they became a cultural phenomenon.

Stay connected with Mr. Big through their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates and behind-the-scenes moments. Fans can also join the vibrant community on the Mr. Big Fan Club on Facebook, a group with thousands of Zoo Freak-like enthusiasts sharing memorabilia and concert stories. For deeper dives, check out fan sites like Metal Storm, which offers forums and archives dedicated to the band’s legacy. Keep rocking with the Zoo Crew, and let’s keep the Bump Ahead vibes alive!