Ep 578 Eric Martin carrying on .. MR BIG, Solo, Jeff Scott Soto and stories from the road.
Eric Martin, born October 10, 1960, in Long Island, New York, is best known as the soulful, powerhouse lead vocalist of the rock band Mr. Big. Raised in a military family that moved frequently, Martin eventually found his way to the West Coast, where his passion for music took root. Originally a drummer, he discovered his true calling as a frontman after stepping out from behind the kit. With a naturally commanding voice, he began carving out his place in the Bay Area rock scene during the late ’70s and early ’80s.His first major break came with the band 415, which soon rebranded as the Eric Martin Band (EMB). Blending hard rock with melodic hooks, the group built a strong regional following and released the album Sucker for a Pretty Face in 1983. They shared stages with giants like ZZ Top, Journey, and Hall & Oates, gaining a reputation for high-energy performances. Despite their momentum, EMB disbanded a couple of years later, leading Martin to pursue a solo career and continue developing his distinct blend of rock, pop, and soul.In 1988, Martin was recruited to front a new supergroup featuring bassist Billy Sheehan, guitarist Paul Gilbert, and drummer Pat Torpey. The band, named Mr. Big, launched with a self-titled debut in 1989 and quickly gained traction. Their 1991 album Lean Into It catapulted them into international stardom, largely thanks to the acoustic ballad “To Be With You,” which topped charts in over a dozen countries. Martin’s dynamic vocal range and emotive delivery helped define the band’s unique sound—a blend of technical musicianship and sing-along accessibility.Throughout the ’90s and into the 2000s, Martin balanced work with Mr. Big alongside a prolific solo career. He released several solo albums, collaborated with Japanese artists, and even joined the Tak Matsumoto Group, a hard rock project that reached No. 1 on Japan’s Oricon charts. One of his most notable side projects was the Mr. Vocalist series, where he reinterpreted classic Japanese and Western pop songs, further cementing his popularity across Asia.Following a brief hiatus, Mr. Big reunited in 2009 for a world tour and new albums, maintaining a loyal fan base across the globe. The band suffered a major loss with the passing of drummer Pat Torpey in 2018, but pressed on in his honor. In 2024, they released Ten, their final studio album, and concluded “The BIG Finish” farewell tour. Today, Eric Martin continues to tour as a solo artist and guest vocalist, beloved by fans for his passionate performances, resilient spirit, and unmistakable voice that’s powered some of rock’s most enduring anthems.
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