Billy and Paul are obviously monster players, but Pat Torpey is such an unsung hero in this band. His drumming is absolutely on their level, and he knows exactly when to lay back and when to absolutely tear up the kit. His finesse and detail in that extended intro, especially on the hihat and ride is on point! Rest in peace Pat, you are missed.
I watched this video and came to say the same thing, but you've gotten there before me. Good shout, Pat Torpey was such a great drummer. At that time there wasn't really any mainstream rock drummers that had all elements of power, flair, style and fantastic groove like Pat had. The closest I could think was perhaps Greg Bissonette, but Pat upped the ante a little. Sorely missed I am sure.
When Mr. Big was opening for Rush (which they did on two consecutive Rush tours), they played this song at the end of their set. Eric would shout "I'm addicted to RUSH!" and then the Rush show would start immediately with no break at all between the two. Seamless transition.
Damn, I didn't know this...and I am sad that I have learned what I missed and will never see...thanks for ruining mynlife mate😂 Alas both their drummers passed away. At least I had the opportunity to see Mr. Big in Turkey.
Caught that double bill on the Presto tour..... Was an absolutely amazing show. The next Rush tour I saw was with Primus opening, equally as amazing. Also caught Billy a few times with Mr. Big aside from the Rush tour, one of those being a club date with Extreme (also mind-blowing live) and Danger Danger. Pretty amazing with Billy only standing about 5 feet from me while doing his solo in a tiny little sold out club with maybe 400 people in it. We were already avid fans from the Roth era, which is where I originally got turned on to his playing and saw him on the Eat em' and Smile tour. The 80's and early 90's were some amazing years to be a teenager (especially if you were a musician) going to shows. Concerts were hardly ever more than $20 a show and there was one worthy of seeing every other week. Sadly Mr. Big suffered the same fate as Extreme, Winger, Giant, and many of those hybrid supergroup hairbands. The moment grunge took over in the early 90's they pretty much lost all label support and the entire scene died. The one advantage Mr. Big had over the rest was their overwhelming popularity in Japan though, which is still strong even now.
I too became a Mr. Big fan when they opened up for RUSH. I remember Eric saying to the crowd " I know that you are Addicted to RUSH".....GREAT transition to them leaving the stage and RUSH coming out.
Actually if you go back to his song “NV43345” from Talas in 1982/1983, that is far more his version of “Eruption”. I first heard it new and it still blows me away 40 years later.
@@DenkendeMystik-ll8oi that’s how he was described in the 80s in all of the guitar magazines and press. As an aspiring bass player at the time I heard “ the Eddie Van Halen of the bass” and I was hooked from the first time that I heard him.
@@WilliamJones-bg2on I am a few years older than you and heard Billy the first time on that "Sink your teeth into this" Album. I was the only one in that little town in Bavaria who owned that US import LP. The bass work was not from this planet.
Mr Big was an all star band, absolute killer musicians. Paul and Billy definitely shine, but Eric Martin and Pat Torpey brought it together, they were essential to that Mr Big sound. It's a crying shame that Pat is no longer with us, but he left us with a lot to remember him by. RIP Pat One thing that made me respect that band even more was how they dealt with Pat's illness. Pat fell ill and could no longer play in the capacity that he once did, but they loved that guy and still brought him on tour and made him a part of it. To me, that spoke volumes about their character and integrity and not many people would do what they did. Case in point, look at how Slipknot did Joey when he was having issues. I know it's not exactly the same, but they did him dirty. Joey loved that band and as soon as he was no longer of any use to them, they fired him. Eric, Billy and Paul did not do that to Pat, good guys.
I had the same influences. I never got to see Billy live, but I was front row at one of Stuart Hamm's promotional tours for... damn, I can't remember the maker of the bass he was playing at the time... anyway, his famous Charlie Brown Theme in person was fantastic. EDIT: I remember the bass now, it was his custom red Factor bass by Alembic.
Billy Sheehan is not only an amazing bass player, he's also a very down to earth person. He really loves his fans and comments back all the time to them. Billy is so unique
Been listening to him since the Talas days. Got to see him on DLR’s Eat Em and Smile tour paired up with Steve Vai. That was absolutely insane. Billy is a force of nature, man. So fun to watch and hear.
That tour was to good. Watching Vai and Billy and Dave all on stage together is something I’ll never forget. Saw them on Long Island and Vai lived close to there growing up. They killed it.
Billy's not only a beast of a bassist but a great guy also. I'm from Buffalo & have known & been watching him since the early mid 70s. Lived down the street from him. He used Ampeg SVTS for years then switched to Hartke recently. I had the privilege of doing a few shows with his old 3 piece band Talas after Billy left for Roth. I tell you quite intimidating having to learn his stuff from the 2 Talas albums had to do kind of a hybrid because well I'm not in the same league lol. A lot of his sound is from him running stereo. He used to use a harmonizer for a while. Anyway he's all around great taught me alot.
He really did some unorthodox, ahead-of-his-time stuff with bass gear! I wasn't aware it went so far back. Talk about having a vision, executing it, and sticking with it for 30 years!
I'm clearly older than you, and a Mr. Big fan since the first moment, but the life changing moment for me with Billy, came with Eat'em and Smile. Go check that! Great job, as funking usual
Mr. Big's biggest hit was an acoustic ballad called "To Be with You" and not one of their more technically crazy songs. When it comes to great songwriting, I recommend their 2nd album "Lean Into It". At around that time, there was also another technically virtuoso band called Extreme, and their greatest hit, which was released around that time was also an acoustic ballad called "More Than Words".
By now being a somewhat older guy I first heard Billy when the first DLR solo album " Eat ´Em And Smile" dropped. He floored EVERYBODY with Yankee Rose, Shy Boy etc. not only backing DLR and Steve Vai but playing up to Steve Vai and easily following him down whatever route he was taking. Most likely he´s the best hard rock/ classic metal solo guitar player to ever pick up a bass! Gotta give some love to Eric Martin too,- vocals as gritty and powerful as Joe Lynn Turner at the top of his lungs with perfect microphone technique. A request for someone to check out could be Marko Hietala of Nightwish,- look into I Wish I Had An Angel or Romanticide from Live At Wacken 2013 or their metal rendition of Phantom Of The Opera from the live concert End Of An Era 2008/2009. Thundering bass playing and singing lead and 2. voice vocals at the same time. A very cool guy. From a Scandinavian metal guitar player into the contemporary Operatic Symphonic Folk-rooted European Metal,- this is a very cool channel you got going on here. Learning a lot. Thanks man.
Could there possibly be a musician who's more deserving of ego and that "superman" vibe, yet is the most down to earth, nicest, most humble guy on the planet than Billy Sheehan?? Dude has blown me away with his playing since the 80s. My favorite bassist, hands down. RIP Pat Torpey!
Its still fresh in my head from when Billy came to the Philippines and did a clinic back in 2009. The whole room was vibrating and he asked the whole crowd to sit upfront. It was such a fun night and I even got to ask that same story about how they assembled Colorado Bulldog. It still amazes me how underrated Mr. Big is as a band. Rest in Peace Pat Torpey. He like the rest of the band are all monsters to this day.
I saw Billy live this past March (2023) with The Winery Dogs at the House of Blues in New Orleans. He had just turned 70 years of age, and his talents are still remarkable.
As a guitar player that dabbles in bass, I like your channel and your analysis. Sub. 🤙🏼 Mr Big was so over the top with Billy and Paul. At the time, the guitar wars were going on. LOL. That’s what I call it. Eddie had already been around for while. Yngwie was tearing it up. People were trying to catch him. Along came Tony McAlpine, Battio, Gambale, Vinnie Moore, Vinnie Vincent, Gary Moore was still showing the old guys could play just as well as the new guys, Stevie Ray was still holding it down in the Blues. It was a GREAT time to be a guitarist and be into GUITAR centered music. Then along came Mr Big with Paul Gilbert (“Fastest gun since Wild Bill they say.”) AND an equally badass bass player in Billy Sheehan in the same band! Now, this had happened before with Billy joining Steve Vai in Diamond Dave’s band, but Billy never let it rip like he did in Mr Big. It was an escalation in the arms race. Amazing times back then.
Amazing band! Phenom on guitar, unheralded and massively underrated drummer, amazing, bluesy vocals and a friggen absolute MONSTER on the bass! One of, if not THE most talented band of the "glam" era. Lucky enough to see them live twice opening for RUSH. Awesomeness personified!!
I bought this album (cassette) in a small record store in Perth, Australia. I was a big fan of Billy for a long time, as he was from Buffalo and I was 90 miles away in Erie, Pa. He blew me away with his bass solo at a DLR concert. Him and Vai were magic just like him and Paul.
The absolute Guru of the Bass guitar, Mr Billy Sheehan. One of the very few players who can perform a Bass Solo this long with so much energy and finesse. Thank you for such a thorough analysis of his style and performance. I really dig your channel and wish you the best.
The three bass players that made he say, “that’s a bass?” We’re Jaco, Stanley Clarke, and Billy’s “Nv43345” solo. Later Cliff Burton made me say,”whoa!” Too.
There are many sides to Billy's playing. He continues to this day to practice for hours daily. His ability to lock in with the drummer is second to none. One of my biggest influences on bass and i cant even play a quarter of what he does.
Ive been a fan of Mr Big since the first album and theyre still my go to for jam tracks every time i pick up my guitar. Billy is probably the most underated bass player on earth. Phenomenal player and all round nice guy too. Seen Mr Big 4 times over the years from the early days right up to a few months before Pats passing, when he was still on stage with the guys but only playing light percussion just to still be there loving the time he had left with his brothers.. Love these guys We also had Nothing but love for our wedding song.
He is so good because he never puts the base down. He used to say people would come knock on his door, and he would answer the door with his bass strapped around him.
Amazing. I recall him when he was even younger ('82-ish), when in his local band from upstate, NY, (a few hours away, in Buffalo). He used to play a local club in my area called "Saratoga Winners." I found him through that band, *Talas,* in the LP called *Sink Your Teeth Into That.* That’s where the OG version of Shy Boy came from. Great bass solo on that album, too. He came a along way, but I still love Talas the best. Maybe its nostalgia, as well.
No way! Never knew you played for Tony MacAlpine! I'm all over the place with loving genres across the board, but the first time I was introduced to BOTH Billy and Tony was back in the early 2000's watching G3 (with John Petrucci. It started with my love for Dream Theater) Billy seems like such a kind soul and stays so humble, despite being an absolute beast of a bassist. I'm not a bass player, but love your channel! It teaches me a lot for my own compositions. Take care, Mark!
Thanks for the nice words Nathan! Really appreciate you. I sure did for a 5-month tour that was cut down to 2.5 months when the pandemic hit. Such a bummer, we were having a fantastic time. Tony is a one-of-a-kind musician, and I learned so friggin’ much from him. Cheers!
I'm a big Billy Sheehan fan, you should do a reaction of his best solo of all time in a TH-cam video that's called "Rare and Unique Video // Billy Sheehan Solo". In this solo, at the end he made the sound of his bass sounding like a church organ and that was absolutely crazy !!! Another and surprising one is his solo part on the "Stanley Clarke & Friends - School Days" video !
Don't stop at the first album, they are currently doing the 30th anniversary of Lean Into It as part of the Big Finish Tour. That band was amazing, Eric Martin is a great singer and their drummer Pat Tourpey (who passed about 5 yrs or so ago) is a tremendous drummer who kind of stayed under the radar. I saw their tour this year and they seriously tore the roof off of the Keswick Theater in PA.
His insane playing aside the energy and showmanship is still what blows me away. The man is 70 years old and still giving it his all on stage. Not to mention he’s also a really good singer.
Billy recorded most of the album with Tony Macalpine on Macalpines Edge Of Insanity album. Make sure to listen to Billy on the outro of the song Agrionia. Just awesome. And I live in Buffalo. We used to go see Talas all the time in bars and free outdoor gigs. He always played a solo. It was always amazing. He was a great showman. He was as good back then in 1975 as he is now almost 50 years later. And he is just a good humble guy…
I was introduced to Mr Sheehan in 1983 by a dear friend . My father and Billy Sheehan are my inspiration. His solo on the Talas album changed my life . I ain't been the same since. Also this man is a better player now than he was then.
i'm 62, left hs in 78 to play pro trombone in Santa Clara. by 83 i was vox/slvr on blue P Bass Elite and nvr looked back. the late Rick Anderson of the Tubes, Rocco of ToP, just the local live guys, i was so fortunate.
I saw Mr. Big open for Rush when they were coming up and, like most opening acts you've never heard of, I just wanted them to get through it so I could see Rush. But after a few minutes I realized my jaw was on the floor and remember leaning over to my friend and saying "these guys are REALLY GOOD!" Went out and bought their CD the next day. This is one of my favorite songs. I'm a drummer, so I was watching Pat Torpey the whole time, but knew Billy from DLR and had heard of Gilbert, but Eric Martin, lead singer, really impressed me. Even then, he looked like a kid (still kinda does). He is known as The Voice in Japan.
He uses the top of the pickup to anchor his thumb. It gives him more control than allowing his hand to float around. That’s the one BIG thing I learned from him.
Saw Billy with Talas in a small club, mid 80s. He was at the bar before the show, talked to anyone that approached him. He was amazing. They did UFO's Lights Out...Billy traded for the guitar with Mitch and Billy did one or both guitar solos, on guitar! One of the best performances Ive seen.
Saw Billy live about a month ago with The Winery Dogs, just gorgeous! No word in fact can describe his performance. And what a great personality along with that!
There’s a live cover out there of mr big covering burn by deep purple. Billy transposes the organ solo to bass and absolutely nails it. The whole band kills it. Ritchie Kotzen shredding on a tele.
I’m a bassist because of Billy I live in a small western New Yorker town called chautauqua County I was 16yrs when I met him at a local band rehearsal called Tokyo Rose who he was friends with in the 80’s originally wanted to play regular guitar but when I met him and asked him all the dumb bass player questions after the rehearsal had made up my mind to pursue learning that instrument at 52 I still play I’ve had a chance to see him do bass guitar clinics in Erie, Pennsylvania he’s one of the greatest basis of all time.
Billy Sheehan is just a technical beast of a bass player. Being more familiar with his work with Talas and David Lee Roth his tone is unmistakable. Could you imagine being in a band with Billy Sheehan?and Steve Vai?
I knew Billy when he was a kid playing for a band called Talas in Buffalo, NY. They were the house band playing at a club called He and She's in Tonawanda, NY
Check out what he did with Tony MacAlpine , Gregg Howe , and his live solo on a song called One Less Worry with a band called Niacin with Dennis Chambers on drums.
I'm sure someone said this below, not only is he right over that pickup, he is intentionally hitting the pickup and pulling into the string. This is why his pickups have the extra layer of epoxy on the top and are slightly curved. Such a unique approach to the bass.
In one of his videos, don't recall which one, he stated that he used 15" woofers to run the highs thru and 10" speakers for the lows. His thoughts were that the 15's softly rolled off the highs and the 10's were much tighter for the bottom frequencies. Kind of backwards thinking but that was the mind of a bass genius and mad respect :)
Billy is one of the best and also one of the nicest guys you would ever want to meet. The reason why Billy has that bright tone as well as the warm sound is he modifies his basses and two separate feeds coming from the bass. He's using a Dimarzio one neck pickup in conjunction with the others fed into two different enhancement loops. If you look closely you will see that he has two different cables running to the wireless packs on his strap that feed different loops. its a lot easier to see the genius setup on his old "The Wife" bass.
Billy is a monster.. What a killer bass player.. I'm a guitarists and have been since the late 70's and he's just amazing.. He does have great bass tone too!.. He gets great harmonics and great staccato. Just great stuff.. Regards from the heartland. Indiana. USA Tim
Great video, you sound amazing too my man!!! 👏🔥🎶 Billy is the only guy who draws me away from the guitar for a while, he’s always beyond inspiring with his words as well as his playing, proud to be a Buffalonian because of that man!!!👏
Best concert for a bass player was when Mr Big opened for Rush at Alpine valley. Billy and Paul both came out on stage when Rush was playing and bowed to them!
ive been a fan of billy since '82-83 with Talas...the guy is a monster..he used to (or still does) play rotosound...never been a big fan of rotosounds..they were much too bright for me..but he is awesome. R.I.P Pat
If you have not listened to Talas,high speed on ice live,that was my introduction to Billy and Talas,they we great. I found it in a recird shop i frequented back 8n my band days(1981-1997 steady). Was a great tine in my life, denim & leather baby🎸
There's this video on YT where he's in the studio to record bass over some rock song, I'm guessing a session gig or something. In that video he shows an entirely different side and he lays down the basslines in a very tasteful way, made up on the spot. It shows he can dial back when needed and play 'normal' bass stuff. It's really cool to see!
I picked up the three-finger technique as a teen watching John Entwistle play. And Marcus Miller was a great influence as well. Then in the '80s watching Billy when he was with David Lee Roth and Steve Vai. Billy to this day amazes me. Great video.
Saw Mr Big live many times backmin the 80s and they were amazing every night. Got to meet them (except for Paul which broke my 17 year old heart) and they were so fun. Constantly taking the piss out of Billy.
I really have to get back at starting bass, I've been playing drums for just over 20 years, purchased myself a used Fender jazz bass about 6 months ago and haven't practiced for weeks. when i first got the bass i was playing 4-5 hours a day, and then about 3 months after stopped practicing. My work hours are pretty late so i tend to play my drum set for about 4-5 hours on my days off. really need some motivation to play my bass.
I have enjoyed all of your videos. The Primus ones brought me in. This one is now at the top of the list of reviews. Always been a fan of Billy. Thank you for this.
I saw Mr. Big in Syracuse. I was right up against the stage right in front of Billy during his bass solo. He was amazing. What stuck with me most was he was doing this sort of hand over hand thing. A lot like a drummer might do but he was hitting the fretboard with his right elbow. And it still sounded perfect. He might as well been doing Muay Thai on that bass!
The three big bass players for me are always Geddy Lee Billy Sheehan and Steve Harris but not always in that order, as a 13yr old first time I heard Steve Harris on Run to the hills I was blown away but when I heard Red Barchetta I was like Geddy your the man then Billy Sheehan in DLR I JUST LOST IT! I just love em all sometimes it's hard to choose they are all so good in their own ways
I got see Billy Sheehan live in the 80’s with his band Talas. They opened up for Yngwie Malmsteen. It was amazing they did an encore together jammed some Deep Purple 🤘🏼🤘🏼
I was a teenager playing in hard rock cover bands in the ‘80’s. I was primarily a guitarist, but occasionally found myself playing bass. This whole era was an arms race of musicianship. Every time you thought you were becoming truly proficient at your instrument, there was escalation of technique and ability. You were constantly chasing guys like Sheehan and Gilbert, and consistently falling short in utter frustration 🤣.
I've heard so much derision leveled against the 80s and early 90s hair metal scene, but the truth of it is that some of the best damned musicians were playing in those very bands. They were technicians, a wonder to behold.
Awesome! Glad I got to see him live a few times. Saw them on the tour for their first albumin a club and it was awesome. With him and Paul Gilbert and the band I wish they went more the virtuoso band route.
I have this mid-eighties issue of Guitar player magazine (Bass player wasn't around just yet) with an interview with Billy. And he tells about his famous Pink Yamaha BB-series bass being so much more stable than his old Fender. He said "I would try out basses by pushing the neck forward until I heard this 'Snap' to see how steady they were, like a bass chiropractor." At which a disclaimer appeared URGING everybody to not try that themselves at practices like that would severely damage their instrument's necks. So when Yamaha sat him down to design the Attitude series (as the one he's playing in this clip) he wanted it to have the feel of his old Fender but with the stability of his Pink Yamaha. So they were made with a Titanium plate inside the body making it as stable as it possibly could get, since Yanking and pushing the neck to do this bends he does is, to say it lightly, DEMANDING. He beats the crap out of his basses here.
Billy and Paul are obviously monster players, but Pat Torpey is such an unsung hero in this band. His drumming is absolutely on their level, and he knows exactly when to lay back and when to absolutely tear up the kit. His finesse and detail in that extended intro, especially on the hihat and ride is on point! Rest in peace Pat, you are missed.
I couldn't agree more.
I watched this video and came to say the same thing, but you've gotten there before me. Good shout, Pat Torpey was such a great drummer. At that time there wasn't really any mainstream rock drummers that had all elements of power, flair, style and fantastic groove like Pat had. The closest I could think was perhaps Greg Bissonette, but Pat upped the ante a little. Sorely missed I am sure.
@@steevidrumslove Pat's solo where he sings Yesterday
Pat is so underrated, so very very underrated.
He’s super underrated. RIP Pat Torpey
When Mr. Big was opening for Rush (which they did on two consecutive Rush tours), they played this song at the end of their set. Eric would shout "I'm addicted to RUSH!" and then the Rush show would start immediately with no break at all between the two. Seamless transition.
Damn, I didn't know this...and I am sad that I have learned what I missed and will never see...thanks for ruining mynlife mate😂 Alas both their drummers passed away. At least I had the opportunity to see Mr. Big in Turkey.
Caught that double bill on the Presto tour..... Was an absolutely amazing show. The next Rush tour I saw was with Primus opening, equally as amazing. Also caught Billy a few times with Mr. Big aside from the Rush tour, one of those being a club date with Extreme (also mind-blowing live) and Danger Danger. Pretty amazing with Billy only standing about 5 feet from me while doing his solo in a tiny little sold out club with maybe 400 people in it. We were already avid fans from the Roth era, which is where I originally got turned on to his playing and saw him on the Eat em' and Smile tour.
The 80's and early 90's were some amazing years to be a teenager (especially if you were a musician) going to shows. Concerts were hardly ever more than $20 a show and there was one worthy of seeing every other week. Sadly Mr. Big suffered the same fate as Extreme, Winger, Giant, and many of those hybrid supergroup hairbands. The moment grunge took over in the early 90's they pretty much lost all label support and the entire scene died. The one advantage Mr. Big had over the rest was their overwhelming popularity in Japan though, which is still strong even now.
I also saw them open for Rush both times, great shows.
I too became a Mr. Big fan when they opened up for RUSH. I remember Eric saying to the crowd " I know that you are Addicted to RUSH".....GREAT transition to them leaving the stage and RUSH coming out.
This sounds incredibly cool, haha!
This is the bass players version of "Eruption". Dude is still a beast.
Last Saturday was in Warsaw, on The Winery dogs's concert. Billy was insane)
Actually if you go back to his song “NV43345” from Talas in 1982/1983, that is far more his version of “Eruption”. I first heard it new and it still blows me away 40 years later.
I also was thinking: The van Halen of Bass...
@@DenkendeMystik-ll8oi that’s how he was described in the 80s in all of the guitar magazines and press.
As an aspiring bass player at the time I heard “ the Eddie Van Halen of the bass” and I was hooked from the first time that I heard him.
@@WilliamJones-bg2on I am a few years older than you and heard Billy the first time on that "Sink your teeth into this" Album. I was the only one in that little town in Bavaria who owned that US import LP.
The bass work was not from this planet.
Mr Big was an all star band, absolute killer musicians. Paul and Billy definitely shine, but Eric Martin and Pat Torpey brought it together, they were essential to that Mr Big sound. It's a crying shame that Pat is no longer with us, but he left us with a lot to remember him by. RIP Pat
One thing that made me respect that band even more was how they dealt with Pat's illness. Pat fell ill and could no longer play in the capacity that he once did, but they loved that guy and still brought him on tour and made him a part of it. To me, that spoke volumes about their character and integrity and not many people would do what they did. Case in point, look at how Slipknot did Joey when he was having issues. I know it's not exactly the same, but they did him dirty. Joey loved that band and as soon as he was no longer of any use to them, they fired him. Eric, Billy and Paul did not do that to Pat, good guys.
Mr Big is seriously underrated, always been one of my favorites!
Being a kid in the 90's and learning bass....billy was who we all wanted to be, him and Stu Hamm.
I had the same influences. I never got to see Billy live, but I was front row at one of Stuart Hamm's promotional tours for... damn, I can't remember the maker of the bass he was playing at the time... anyway, his famous Charlie Brown Theme in person was fantastic.
EDIT: I remember the bass now, it was his custom red Factor bass by Alembic.
Mr Big was one of those bands where EVER person in the band was a monster talent!
Especially when Ritchie Kotzen was in for a while and Eric let him sing.
In the live version of 30 Days in the Hole Ritchie blows Eric away on vocals.
Billy Sheehan is not only an amazing bass player, he's also a very down to earth person. He really loves his fans and comments back all the time to them. Billy is so unique
Their album Lean into it lived in my cd player for months. I still listen to it to this day.
Been listening to him since the Talas days. Got to see him on DLR’s Eat Em and Smile tour paired up with Steve Vai. That was absolutely insane. Billy is a force of nature, man. So fun to watch and hear.
That tour was to good. Watching Vai and Billy and Dave all on stage together is something I’ll never forget. Saw them on Long Island and Vai lived close to there growing up. They killed it.
Billy's not only a beast of a bassist but a great guy also. I'm from Buffalo & have known & been watching him since the early mid 70s. Lived down the street from him. He used Ampeg SVTS for years then switched to Hartke recently. I had the privilege of doing a few shows with his old 3 piece band Talas after Billy left for Roth. I tell you quite intimidating having to learn his stuff from the 2 Talas albums had to do kind of a hybrid because well I'm not in the same league lol. A lot of his sound is from him running stereo. He used to use a harmonizer for a while. Anyway he's all around great taught me alot.
He really did some unorthodox, ahead-of-his-time stuff with bass gear! I wasn't aware it went so far back. Talk about having a vision, executing it, and sticking with it for 30 years!
I'm clearly older than you, and a Mr. Big fan since the first moment, but the life changing moment for me with Billy, came with Eat'em and Smile. Go check that!
Great job, as funking usual
Talas - Inner Mounting Flame (live on the album "High Speed on Ice") and then his associated bass solo right after it - That is a young Billy Sheehan.
Never got to see Talas growing up, too young to get into the one club they used to play at often.
Unfortunately Pat Torpay (not sure on the spelling) passed away awhile back. M.S. He is very much missed. Great video!
Yep, Pat, Torpey ;) RIP
He was another monster musician. He will always be missed.
Mr. Big's biggest hit was an acoustic ballad called "To Be with You" and not one of their more technically crazy songs. When it comes to great songwriting, I recommend their 2nd album "Lean Into It".
At around that time, there was also another technically virtuoso band called Extreme, and their greatest hit, which was released around that time was also an acoustic ballad called "More Than Words".
Doesn't seem right, does it? When you've got players like Billy and Paul or Nuno why are their biggest hits acoustic songs that I could probably play?
Saw Billy with Vai many moons ago...i will never forget it. Masters.
Love Mr Sheehan's tone. RIP Pat.
It's amazing how Billy has changed his gear several times over the years, but he still sounds exactly the same.
By now being a somewhat older guy I first heard Billy when the first DLR solo album " Eat ´Em And Smile" dropped.
He floored EVERYBODY with Yankee Rose, Shy Boy etc. not only backing DLR and Steve Vai but playing up to Steve Vai and easily following him down whatever route he was taking.
Most likely he´s the best hard rock/ classic metal solo guitar player to ever pick up a bass!
Gotta give some love to Eric Martin too,- vocals as gritty and powerful as Joe Lynn Turner at the top of his lungs with perfect microphone technique.
A request for someone to check out could be Marko Hietala of Nightwish,- look into I Wish I Had An Angel or Romanticide from Live At Wacken 2013 or their metal rendition of Phantom Of The Opera from the live concert End Of An Era 2008/2009.
Thundering bass playing and singing lead and 2. voice vocals at the same time.
A very cool guy.
From a Scandinavian metal guitar player into the contemporary Operatic Symphonic Folk-rooted European Metal,- this is a very cool channel you got going on here.
Learning a lot.
Thanks man.
Yeah, Yankee Rose videos the first time I heard about him or saw him back in the day too 😂
50 yr old here (who plays drums), I played their CDs to oblivion each time a new one was released. Fantastic memories.
I just saw Mr. Big last night and got to meet Billy and Paul before the show. Awesome dudes as well as monster players.
Could there possibly be a musician who's more deserving of ego and that "superman" vibe, yet is the most down to earth, nicest, most humble guy on the planet than Billy Sheehan?? Dude has blown me away with his playing since the 80s. My favorite bassist, hands down. RIP Pat Torpey!
Its still fresh in my head from when Billy came to the Philippines and did a clinic back in 2009. The whole room was vibrating and he asked the whole crowd to sit upfront. It was such a fun night and I even got to ask that same story about how they assembled Colorado Bulldog. It still amazes me how underrated Mr. Big is as a band. Rest in Peace Pat Torpey. He like the rest of the band are all monsters to this day.
I saw Billy live this past March (2023) with The Winery Dogs at the House of Blues in New Orleans. He had just turned 70 years of age, and his talents are still remarkable.
He’s 70
@@NonetheWiserNJ Thank you. I can't believe I added 10 years to him. I'm correcting my post.
They were so talented I thought they never got the recognition they deserve. Love
As a guitar player that dabbles in bass, I like your channel and your analysis. Sub. 🤙🏼
Mr Big was so over the top with Billy and Paul. At the time, the guitar wars were going on. LOL. That’s what I call it. Eddie had already been around for while. Yngwie was tearing it up. People were trying to catch him. Along came Tony McAlpine, Battio, Gambale, Vinnie Moore, Vinnie Vincent, Gary Moore was still showing the old guys could play just as well as the new guys, Stevie Ray was still holding it down in the Blues. It was a GREAT time to be a guitarist and be into GUITAR centered music.
Then along came Mr Big with Paul Gilbert (“Fastest gun since Wild Bill they say.”) AND an equally badass bass player in Billy Sheehan in the same band! Now, this had happened before with Billy joining Steve Vai in Diamond Dave’s band, but Billy never let it rip like he did in Mr Big. It was an escalation in the arms race.
Amazing times back then.
Amazing band! Phenom on guitar, unheralded and massively underrated drummer, amazing, bluesy vocals and a friggen absolute MONSTER on the bass! One of, if not THE most talented band of the "glam" era. Lucky enough to see them live twice opening for RUSH. Awesomeness personified!!
Watch him live these days, Billy Sheehan IS STILL out of control. Super inspiring to watch.
He's the real freakin' deal!
I bought this album (cassette) in a small record store in Perth, Australia. I was a big fan of Billy for a long time, as he was from Buffalo and I was 90 miles away in Erie, Pa. He blew me away with his bass solo at a DLR concert. Him and Vai were magic just like him and Paul.
You don't need to react, but Nate Navarro's Sub-Octave Bass is mind blowing. Methinks you'll like...
I saw that!! If that’s the first of its kind, it’s extremely clever, and looks surprisingly cool. I hope I can get my hands on one!
I felt it rumble my chest through my computer @@LowEndUniversity...
The absolute Guru of the Bass guitar, Mr Billy Sheehan. One of the very few players who can perform a Bass Solo this long with so much energy and finesse.
Thank you for such a thorough analysis of his style and performance. I really dig your channel and wish you the best.
Definitely one of my favorites he blows my mind so unique 💯🔥
If this song blows you away, you really need to listen to more of their songs. Any you are correct in billy having his own signature sound.
The three bass players that made he say, “that’s a bass?” We’re Jaco, Stanley Clarke, and Billy’s “Nv43345” solo. Later Cliff Burton made me say,”whoa!” Too.
There are many sides to Billy's playing. He continues to this day to practice for hours daily. His ability to lock in with the drummer is second to none. One of my biggest influences on bass and i cant even play a quarter of what he does.
Ive been a fan of Mr Big since the first album and theyre still my go to for jam tracks every time i pick up my guitar.
Billy is probably the most underated bass player on earth.
Phenomenal player and all round nice guy too.
Seen Mr Big 4 times over the years from the early days right up to a few months before Pats passing, when he was still on stage with the guys but only playing light percussion just to still be there loving the time he had left with his brothers..
Love these guys
We also had Nothing but love for our wedding song.
He is so good because he never puts the base down. He used to say people would come knock on his door, and he would answer the door with his bass strapped around him.
that was FUN!!! Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Amazing. I recall him when he was even younger ('82-ish), when in his local band from upstate, NY, (a few hours away, in Buffalo). He used to play a local club in my area called "Saratoga Winners." I found him through that band, *Talas,* in the LP called *Sink Your Teeth Into That.* That’s where the OG version of Shy Boy came from. Great bass solo on that album, too.
He came a along way, but I still love Talas the best. Maybe its nostalgia, as well.
No way! Never knew you played for Tony MacAlpine! I'm all over the place with loving genres across the board, but the first time I was introduced to BOTH Billy and Tony was back in the early 2000's watching G3 (with John Petrucci. It started with my love for Dream Theater) Billy seems like such a kind soul and stays so humble, despite being an absolute beast of a bassist.
I'm not a bass player, but love your channel! It teaches me a lot for my own compositions. Take care, Mark!
Thanks for the nice words Nathan! Really appreciate you. I sure did for a 5-month tour that was cut down to 2.5 months when the pandemic hit. Such a bummer, we were having a fantastic time. Tony is a one-of-a-kind musician, and I learned so friggin’ much from him. Cheers!
I'm a big Billy Sheehan fan, you should do a reaction of his best solo of all time in a TH-cam video that's called "Rare and Unique Video // Billy Sheehan Solo".
In this solo, at the end he made the sound of his bass sounding like a church organ and that was absolutely crazy !!!
Another and surprising one is his solo part on the "Stanley Clarke & Friends - School Days" video !
His musicianship is inspiring.
Don't stop at the first album, they are currently doing the 30th anniversary of Lean Into It as part of the Big Finish Tour. That band was amazing, Eric Martin is a great singer and their drummer Pat Tourpey (who passed about 5 yrs or so ago) is a tremendous drummer who kind of stayed under the radar. I saw their tour this year and they seriously tore the roof off of the Keswick Theater in PA.
His insane playing aside the energy and showmanship is still what blows me away. The man is 70 years old and still giving it his all on stage. Not to mention he’s also a really good singer.
I came from Billy's Instagram. This San Francisco live was really amazing. I feel like everyone gave a great performance!
Sheehan is the first bass player I've heard use tapped harmonics. I love playing them on my guitar, personally
There will never be a badass like Billy Sheehan
Billy recorded most of the album with Tony Macalpine on Macalpines Edge Of Insanity album. Make sure to listen to Billy on the outro of the song Agrionia. Just awesome.
And I live in Buffalo. We used to go see Talas all the time in bars and free outdoor gigs. He always played a solo. It was always amazing. He was a great showman. He was as good back then in 1975 as he is now almost 50 years later.
And he is just a good humble guy…
I was introduced to Mr Sheehan in 1983 by a dear friend . My father and Billy Sheehan are my inspiration. His solo on the Talas album changed my life . I ain't been the same since. Also this man is a better player now than he was then.
i'm 62, left hs in 78 to play pro trombone in Santa Clara. by 83 i was vox/slvr on blue P Bass Elite and nvr looked back. the late Rick Anderson of the Tubes, Rocco of ToP, just the local live guys, i was so fortunate.
I saw Mr. Big open for Rush when they were coming up and, like most opening acts you've never heard of, I just wanted them to get through it so I could see Rush. But after a few minutes I realized my jaw was on the floor and remember leaning over to my friend and saying "these guys are REALLY GOOD!" Went out and bought their CD the next day. This is one of my favorite songs. I'm a drummer, so I was watching Pat Torpey the whole time, but knew Billy from DLR and had heard of Gilbert, but Eric Martin, lead singer, really impressed me. Even then, he looked like a kid (still kinda does). He is known as The Voice in Japan.
I saw them at a small club in Boston in 1989, they were backing up Yngwie Malmsteen. Talk about a young guitar player's dream.
He uses the top of the pickup to anchor his thumb. It gives him more control than allowing his hand to float around. That’s the one BIG thing I learned from him.
I start 20 year ago playing bass, because i watch this video. For me, is Billy is the best Rock best bassist.
This is true greatness!! And I agree -- I can't stop smiling it's soooooo goooood!!!
Saw Billy with Talas in a small club, mid 80s. He was at the bar before the show, talked to anyone that approached him. He was amazing. They did UFO's Lights Out...Billy traded for the guitar with Mitch and Billy did one or both guitar solos, on guitar! One of the best performances Ive seen.
Saw Billy live about a month ago with The Winery Dogs, just gorgeous! No word in fact can describe his performance. And what a great personality along with that!
There’s a live cover out there of mr big covering burn by deep purple. Billy transposes the organ solo to bass and absolutely nails it. The whole band kills it. Ritchie Kotzen shredding on a tele.
I’m a bassist because of Billy I live in a small western New Yorker town called chautauqua County I was 16yrs when I met him at a local band rehearsal called Tokyo Rose who he was friends with in the 80’s originally wanted to play regular guitar but when I met him and asked him all the dumb bass player questions after the rehearsal had made up my mind to pursue learning that instrument at 52 I still play I’ve had a chance to see him do bass guitar clinics in Erie, Pennsylvania he’s one of the greatest basis of all time.
Billy Sheehan is just a technical beast of a bass player. Being more familiar with his work with Talas and David Lee Roth his tone is unmistakable. Could you imagine being in a band with Billy Sheehan?and Steve Vai?
And Gregg Bissonette too!! 🤯
I knew Billy when he was a kid playing for a band called Talas in Buffalo, NY. They were the house band playing at a club called He and She's in Tonawanda, NY
Check out what he did with Tony MacAlpine , Gregg Howe , and his live solo on a song called One Less Worry with a band called Niacin with Dennis Chambers on drums.
I'm sure someone said this below, not only is he right over that pickup, he is intentionally hitting the pickup and pulling into the string. This is why his pickups have the extra layer of epoxy on the top and are slightly curved. Such a unique approach to the bass.
To get those harmincs to pop like that add a little chorus & the key is to put it in the effects loop not in front of the amp.
Can I suggest something by Tribal Tech? Gary Willis is a monster on the 5-string fretless!
I suggest “Self-Defense” or “The Big Wave”
On my list!!
Love Gary's right hand. Not that his left is a slouch by any stretch.
@@Spthomas47 I'm still trying to learn how to do that!
@@iPivo same.
And we all have time to adapt styles into our own until we're off this plane.
Buena suerte.
Via con dios.
Yutta Hey.
In one of his videos, don't recall which one, he stated that he used 15" woofers to run the highs thru and 10" speakers for the lows. His thoughts were that the 15's softly rolled off the highs and the 10's were much tighter for the bottom frequencies. Kind of backwards thinking but that was the mind of a bass genius and mad respect :)
Billy is one of the best and also one of the nicest guys you would ever want to meet. The reason why Billy has that bright tone as well as the warm sound is he modifies his basses and two separate feeds coming from the bass. He's using a Dimarzio one neck pickup in conjunction with the others fed into two different enhancement loops. If you look closely you will see that he has two different cables running to the wireless packs on his strap that feed different loops. its a lot easier to see the genius setup on his old "The Wife" bass.
Billy is a monster.. What a killer bass player.. I'm a guitarists and have been since the late 70's and he's just amazing.. He does have great bass tone too!.. He gets great harmonics and great staccato. Just great stuff..
Regards from the heartland. Indiana. USA
Tim
Great video, you sound amazing too my man!!! 👏🔥🎶 Billy is the only guy who draws me away from the guitar for a while, he’s always beyond inspiring with his words as well as his playing, proud to be a Buffalonian because of that man!!!👏
Best concert for a bass player was when Mr Big opened for Rush at Alpine valley. Billy and Paul both came out on stage when Rush was playing and bowed to them!
Y’all need to find his live Talas performances, that was just free forming every night in the Buffalo NY region.
Billy's a sweetheart too!!!!!!
ive been a fan of billy since '82-83 with Talas...the guy is a monster..he used to (or still does) play rotosound...never been a big fan of rotosounds..they were much too bright for me..but he is awesome. R.I.P Pat
If you have not listened to Talas,high speed on ice live,that was my introduction to Billy and Talas,they we great.
I found it in a recird shop i frequented back 8n my band days(1981-1997 steady).
Was a great tine in my life, denim & leather baby🎸
Love at first sight, the solo, yamaha, hair...and the drill! lol
There's this video on YT where he's in the studio to record bass over some rock song, I'm guessing a session gig or something. In that video he shows an entirely different side and he lays down the basslines in a very tasteful way, made up on the spot. It shows he can dial back when needed and play 'normal' bass stuff. It's really cool to see!
Young Billy Sheehan? He's BETTER today than he was then. That is extra scary!
I picked up the three-finger technique as a teen watching John Entwistle play. And Marcus Miller was a great influence as well. Then in the '80s watching Billy when he was with David Lee Roth and Steve Vai. Billy to this day amazes me. Great video.
Saw Mr Big live many times backmin the 80s and they were amazing every night. Got to meet them (except for Paul which broke my 17 year old heart) and they were so fun. Constantly taking the piss out of Billy.
I used to see Billy play with Talas in the 80's. Awesome player and one of the nicest people you will meet.
Miss all that, what a fun time it was ! You might check out Lord Tracy for more crazy bass playing.
You should check out his work with Niacin. Bass, Drums and Hammond B3 organ
Yes, ”Deep” is great with ”Swing Swang Swung” and other track.
I remember the first time I heard Billy with Talas , I was floored. Then when he hooked up with Vai in DLR band omg
very impressive. thanks.
I really have to get back at starting bass, I've been playing drums for just over 20 years, purchased myself a used Fender jazz bass about 6 months ago and haven't practiced for weeks. when i first got the bass i was playing 4-5 hours a day, and then about 3 months after stopped practicing. My work hours are pretty late so i tend to play my drum set for about 4-5 hours on my days off. really need some motivation to play my bass.
I saw Mr. Big open for Rush back in the early 90s (I think it was the Presto Tour). It was one of the best shows ever.
He was doing this before being in Mr. Big when he was in Talas. Great eruption like solo on the High Speed On Ice album
I have enjoyed all of your videos. The Primus ones brought me in. This one is now at the top of the list of reviews. Always been a fan of Billy. Thank you for this.
Thanks so much man, I really appreciate that! You bet! See you around 🙏🏼
My first introduction to Sheehan was on David Lee Roth's Skyscraper tour. Sheehan and Steve Via were incredible
I saw Mr. Big in Syracuse. I was right up against the stage right in front of Billy during his bass solo. He was amazing. What stuck with me most was he was doing this sort of hand over hand thing. A lot like a drummer might do but he was hitting the fretboard with his right elbow. And it still sounded perfect. He might as well been doing Muay Thai on that bass!
The three big bass players for me are always Geddy Lee Billy Sheehan and Steve Harris but not always in that order, as a 13yr old first time I heard Steve Harris on Run to the hills I was blown away but when I heard Red Barchetta I was like Geddy your the man then Billy Sheehan in DLR I JUST LOST IT! I just love em all sometimes it's hard to choose they are all so good in their own ways
Never got into mr Big, but after seeing this dude, i might have to dig into it a bit.
I got see Billy Sheehan live in the 80’s with his band Talas. They opened up for Yngwie Malmsteen. It was amazing they did an encore together jammed some Deep Purple 🤘🏼🤘🏼
I was a teenager playing in hard rock cover bands in the ‘80’s. I was primarily a guitarist, but occasionally found myself playing bass. This whole era was an arms race of musicianship. Every time you thought you were becoming truly proficient at your instrument, there was escalation of technique and ability. You were constantly chasing guys like Sheehan and Gilbert, and consistently falling short in utter frustration 🤣.
I've heard so much derision leveled against the 80s and early 90s hair metal scene, but the truth of it is that some of the best damned musicians were playing in those very bands. They were technicians, a wonder to behold.
Billy talks about using the pickup as a guide or landing pad for his fingers
Billy is awesome!
He is also a sweet and humble guy,
He IS!!
Awesome! Glad I got to see him live a few times. Saw them on the tour for their first albumin a club and it was awesome. With him and Paul Gilbert and the band I wish they went more the virtuoso band route.
Billy plays for world piece! ❤
I have this mid-eighties issue of Guitar player magazine (Bass player wasn't around just yet) with an interview with Billy. And he tells about his famous Pink Yamaha BB-series bass being so much more stable than his old Fender.
He said "I would try out basses by pushing the neck forward until I heard this 'Snap' to see how steady they were, like a bass chiropractor." At which a disclaimer appeared URGING everybody to not try that themselves at practices like that would severely damage their instrument's necks.
So when Yamaha sat him down to design the Attitude series (as the one he's playing in this clip) he wanted it to have the feel of his old Fender but with the stability of his Pink Yamaha. So they were made with a Titanium plate inside the body making it as stable as it possibly could get, since Yanking and pushing the neck to do this bends he does is, to say it lightly, DEMANDING. He beats the crap out of his basses here.