What a night. Very very emotional. Sold out Tokyo Budokan, filled with our dearest friends — these wonderful people have been with us for 34 years. Bitter sweet indeed. We will always be forever grateful for their unlimited kindness. Arigato to all of you♥️
Last show. Tomorrow…
The Mr Big family—a heartfelt goodbye to Japan, and final bow to all who made the last 34 years some of the greatest times of our lives.
Eric, Paul Gilbert and family, Nick and Tiffany D’Virgilio, my sweet wife Elisabetta, and our guests of honor: Mrs Pat Torpey and son—Karen…
My deepest and most sincere condolences to Neil’s family and friends, and to Rush fans everywhere. What a brilliant and wonderful man. He left his mark on the world, music, drumming and so much more. With absolute love and Respect, Rest In Peace.
A quick trip to grab some water at a 7/11 — a place I would rarely if ever enter in the USA. The 7/11’s here in Japan are a whole different world! Quite amazing. A spectacular array of choices. Their bottled iced tea’s are simply magnificent! Jet-lagged out of my mind, I’ll be…
Totally sold out Mr Big show in Osaka Japan tonight! What an incredible crowd!! What a joy and what an honor to play for everyone here. Bittersweet that it’s our last Mr Big tour, but these wonderful people made it a memory we shall NEVER forget. Arigato!!!…
Leaving Osaka for Tokyo on the Bullet train today—after a truly amazing time here last night. Some of our fans were so kind to come and say goodbye—Arigato Osaka!!!
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
I’ve been saving this for posting on Halloween—backstage with Van Halen on October 31st, 1980. What an adventure it was!! Talas opened about 30 shows for them on that tour. Life changing.
Hanging out on the tour bus after show in Austin TX tonight. Mike was kind enough to point out that it was 12:01, therefore officially being my 70th birthday. Woo hoo!
Over 20 years ago I was walking down the street in Japan and saw a kid riding his Razor Scooter—-I wanted to get one so I asked him where got it. He and his sweet Mom walked me several blocks away to the shop. They were so kind to me. We’ve been friends ever since and I try to…
Delicious unsweetened Oolong iced tea—it’s gone now! 🤣
First Mr Big show in Japan tonight in Nagoya. The show sold out in 15 minutes. We are supremely grateful—Arigato!♥️♥️♥️
My original copy of this record. Back in the day we would write our names on our records because we shared them with friends so often—this way we could have them returned. This record was one of the most important in my musical life. Jeff Beck. Thank you, Sir. Rest in Peace✌️
The Tokyo Tower and Attitude bass—a portrait 🤣
Back in Tokyo after a GREAT night in Nagoya last night. The Winery Dogs show here tomorrow night is totally sold out—-Arigato!!! So wonderful to be back in what is certainly one of the worlds greatest cities♥️
On this day, July 7, Thirty Five years ago, the “Eat em and Smile” album was released. The first major label record for me. A truly life changing event for myself and many others. Supreme gratitude to all involved!
Well well well—MR BIG! Our
#1
hit single just hit 100 million views on YouTube. Quite amazing. Having a hit record has been the adventure of a lifetime for myself, Eric, Paul, and ( may he Rest In Peace ) Pat Torpey.
We miss you, Pat♥️. So much.
Here I am on the cover of some long gone magazine from over 30 years ago with one of my dearest friends, and undoubtedly one of the most spectacular musicians in the world—Mr Steve Vai. Wishing you a fabulous and very happy birthday!! Unlimited Love & Respect,
Billy
Here in Japan, Mr Big, The Winery Dogs, and several other bands I’ve played with—all owe ltheir success, in so many ways to Mr Seijiro Udo. He was the key man to make things happen for any artist playing in this part of the world. Clapton,Springsteen, Kiss, Journey—you name it—he…
A totally sold-out, jam-packed Mr Big show with one of the greatest audiences I’ve ever had the joy to play to—last night in Seoul Korea!!!! Simply magnificent!! Thanks to all of you for making it a night to remember.
And a sincere and heartfelt KOMAPSUMNIDA to everyone!!!♥️♥️♥️
I couldn’t leave my house today. Because I had to play this bass all day long. A dUg Pinneck Schecter signature 12 string bass. A masterpiece! Utterly magnificent. So inspiring.
Tearing it all down after show—to be repeated in Osaka day after tomorrow. What an incredible and very emotional night it was — the last Mr Big show in Nagoya. Etched upon my memory for sure. Thank you all♥️
View from the Bullet Train we accelerate up to speed for the trip to Osaka from Nagoya. No graffiti, no litter, and clean as a whistle. Riding is cool and quiet w food and drinks available. So civilized!♥️♥️♥️♥️
Doing a little Yamaha Meet & Greet here in Singapore before our second show here tonight. They gave me a stock, right out of the box Attitude bass to warm up on while waiting. This thing is perfect! I always sight down the neck on any bass to see if there’s and humps or high/low…
It’s a beautiful day here in Los Angeles. And what a great reason to visit — with The Winery Dogs writing new songs! I am VERY happy and excited about this. 🍷🐾
Challenge accepted! After the truly overwhelming response ( thank you all!) to posting the album cover for the debut Mr Big record on its 32 year anniversary, many people asked if I really still owned the shoes and hat in the photo. Here they are!
What an amazing night we had in TOKYO tonight!!!! A sea of smiling faces—so many dear friends. Thank you ALL for making it a spectacular evening. Much love & respect to everyone!!! 🍷🐾!!!!!
Around 1973. My P bass still had finish on it. Legendary “Gauss” speakers—four 12” on top in custom cabs, four 15” in Altec cabs below. Boots were inspired by Overend Watts — bass player from Mott the Hoople after seeing Mott w the New York Dolls and Aerosmith.
Mt. Fuji! Snow covered—in the distance. Visible from my hotel window. If you zoom way in you can see it—cool! ( steady hands for drawing after my morning coffee🤣🤣🤣🤣)
Tonight in Hong Kong!!
Mr Big “Big Finish” farewell tour—we’ll be playing the entire “Lean Into It” record as well as many other songs. What a joy to be in this great city again!!
Southorn Stadium
111 Johnston Rd
Wan Chai HK
Dozens of people building stage and production for tonight’s sold-out Mr Big show here in Nagoya Japan. We are so excited and very grateful to be here!
We’ve had this little guy for one full year now—he’s brought such joy, laughter, and happiness to our home and our hearts.
If the time is right, and the situation allows, please consider rescuing a cat or dog from your local shelter this holiday season. We are so glad we did!
A nice ( and very rare!) day off, and tonight we play here in Seoul Korea!!! A truly incredible city. Very nice to be back here again—my 10th time here, I believe. Looking forward to seeing many of my friends here for the final Mr Big show in Korea!♥️♥️♥️♥️
Having a night off at home after 37 Glorious Winery Dogs shows with the greatest friends and fans in the world—while Rebel turns his back and “power ignores” his cat Dad🤣🤣🤣🤣 I guess I had it coming! 🤣🤣🤣
Being away for so long—this is my punishment. I’ll try to do better 🤣
Left hotel in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia to fly to Singapore around 1 pm; changed planes in Singapore for 16 hour flight to San Fran; then 4+ hour flight to Nashville. Got to see the beginning of a new day an hour out, and now headed home. 32+ hours door to door travel time. An…
Here we are at Sweetwater Music in their amazing recording studio with ( from left to right) engineer Lindsey, a brilliant Sweetwater Engineer, myself, drummer extrodinaire Nick DiVirgilio, behind him producer/mixer Grand Master Jay Ruston , and the incredible Paul Gilbert ( Eric…
Jakarta! Terima Kasih!!! ♥️♥️♥️
Thank you all.
Now we fly to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia for the last show of this part of our tour. USA/EU/UK/S America dates for early 2024 to be announced ASAP
Mr & Mrs Kotzen, Mike, Myself, and our dear friend Yoko enjoying a rare night off at a great little club we visit every time to Osaka—“Rock Rock”. What a night we had!! 🍷🐾
Ladies and Gentleman!
So may I introduce to you!
The fixer of broken hearts —
The new King of the Castle —
A Christmas Miracle —
Our new kitty cat—-Rebel!
Our new little guy is fixing our broken hearts and bringing joy and laughter into our home for Christmas.
A friend in Japan was kind enough to send Rebel a little Christmas outfit. Surprisingly, I suffered very little blood loss! And doesn’t he look happy?? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣