Mr. Big Leans Into It During Their Big Finish Tour At The Capitol Theatre

You know what they say “timing is everything.”  This was definitely the case for me last Sunday as Mr. Big brought their “The Big Finish Tour” to the Capitol Theatre in Clearwater. This show was previously scheduled for a Sunday night in January which was one night after their show in Orlando that I had planned to go to but I was super sick.

Fortunately for me, the band cancelled their show on that Sunday night and rescheduled it for last weekend with Mr. Big playing their second release, Lean Into It in its entirety along with other songs from their catalogue.

This was a show that I was really looking forward to covering as I have been a fan of Mr. Big since their inception and having this be their “last” tour, there was no way I was going to miss it.

Upon entering the Capitol Theatre, there was a huge line at the bar and at the merch table with Sydney manning the counter and doing a fantastic job as usual. We talked about their last few tour dates how packed tonight was because usually there is a drop off in attendance when a show gets rescheduled but this was definitely not the case. Every chair was filled, even in the balcony where the seats get a bit tight.

As the lights went down, bassist Billy Sheehan and guitarist Paul Gilbert took the stage with new drummer Nick D’Virgilio waving to the crowd as he got behind his kit. Singer Eric Martin strolled on the stage and clapped to the crowd who roared with applause as the song that got me and many others into the band in “Addicted to That Rush.”

This was the first single off their self titled album in 1989 and has one of the most recognizable openings of any song in rock with Sheehan kicking off the track with a crazy bass lead and Gilbert bringing a crunchy screaming guitar riff. Everyone in the crowd was on their feet for this song and five more before some but not many sat down to give their feet a break.  

After “Take Cover” from the Hey Man and “Price You Gotta Pay” where Sheehan showed off his harmonica skills, the band Gilbert busted out the electric drill to press against neck of his guitar to squeal the opening of “Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy. 

This was the opening track on Lean Into It and the band was on all cylinders with Martin sounding better as the set moved along through “Alive and Kickin” and “Lucky This Time.”

I don’t know what kind of blood Billy Sheehan has running through his veins but it never seems like the man ages, slows down or ever loses any enthusiasm on stage with Gilbert right there with him. Both guys are virtuosos and each of them took turns doing extended solos. During Gilbert’s, he played the goose bump inducing theme from Rocky in “Gonna’ Fly Now” which I have never heard live before.   

On a side note: I’ll never understand why Gilbert’s name isn’t on the list of great players with his contemporaries. What he has achieved in his career is staggering. Just take a look at his career and what he is credited playing on and you’ll be very surprised at his credentials all the while looking like a chemistry teacher on stage.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Gilbert      

Mr. Big’s harmonies where on full auditory display especially during “Green Tinted Sixties Mind” and their huge hit in “Just Take My Heart” with the crowd joining in during the chorus.

After “Road To Ruin,” Mr. Big finished their Lean Into It set with another monster hit in “To Be With You” and took a very brief break. Upon return, they kicked it back into full roar or should I say bark in “Colorado Bulldog.” After Sheehan concluded his bass solo the band transitioned into Talas’ “Shy Boy” with Sheehan on lead vocals.

This wouldn’t be the last time Sheehan had the mic in his hand as the band switched instruments during the cover of The Olympic’s “Good Lovin.”  Gilbert got behind the kit with Martin on Sheehan’s bass and D’Virgilio on guitar. The crowd really got into the instrument change by the band and was definitely a memorable moment for everyone in the crowd.

To close out the night, Mr. Big finished their set with The Who’s Baba O’Reilly to the fans surprise and delight as they all sang “It’s Only Teenage Wastleland” like they were still in high school. It was a special moment with a special band and their loyal fans.

As the lights rose and they took their bows, I thought if this truly was The Big Finish for Mr. Big, then so be it. They left it all on the stage on a beautiful Sunday night in Clearwater where we will always remember them as being “Alive and Kickin.”