Did you know Eric Martin once auditioned for Van Halen? A little bird told me.

Eric Martin of "The Eric Martin Band" & "Mr. Big" drops in to The BONE studios and talks with Nikki Blakk about never auditioning for Van Halen, and playing in Japan after the earthquake & tsunami in 2011.
Check it out!

[@priscillacrow4016]

Oh Eric Martin, please do not think you messed up not going to Van Halen...you were meant to be in Mr. Big.

[@eljefeguapobarbon]

I actually like Mr. Big more than Van Halen! Sue me. Eric Martin is a classy, talented individual.

[@soundwaynes3885]

eric martin's voice is the greatest of all time

[@fenderboy68]

no

[@michellemore266]

I agree

[@paulgilbert3139]

​@@fenderboy68fender is overrated

[@ARGthePirateGaming]

He was 51 here, looks no older than 30.

[@Squirrelconga]

...he actually got a ride from his parents to be there!

[@ConcertsANDhomeMOVIES]

He was 51 at this interview?? I would have guessed 30.

[@purplishin]

Your words make sense to me, 'cause when I saw him in '96, he looked like a 17 year old boy even though he was already in his mid-30s then. ; )

[@ninerjamie]

Eric Martin is one of the most Gracious, Kind, Generous and especially Talented men I know. This is just another example. God bless you E!

[@loramartin1822]

AGREE!

[@lisapalmeno4488]

He's a sweetheart.

[@Mysterywhiteboy78]

He is, i met him in 1991 when i was 17 he bought me a drink at the Mr Big aftershow get together....he was married to Stacey at the time. She was also really nice.

[@Lorneplumber]

I've met Eric a couple of times - He couldn't have been nicer

[@juliej9191]

Loved the Eric Martin band in the 80s. Sucker for a pretty face is still one of my all time favorites.

[@JohnnyBeane]

I met Eric in 1992 at a record shop. Cool dude!

[@pscott000]

Eric did exactly the right thing and listened to his gut!

[@chrissttiiee]

Saw Mr Big headline w/Hardline 3 times in SF bay area. Killer stuff 💥.

[@andik6]

You are Mr.Big, always be. Don't ever regret it, you did the right thing, dude.

[@dekidarockman8660]

thank God you backed up, otherwise there wont be Mr. Big. you did the right thing eric

[@allisall1309]

Whole ex of Mr. Big are so gracious, kind, generous and humble when their talent are what people want.

[@lipeguitars]

Toto also wanted him as a lead singer at one point

[@actualzafra]

Steve Lukather and David Paich really wanted him, but apparentely Jeff Porcaro thought he was too imature or something like that. Shame. Would've loved to see Eric Martin in Toto

[@SonnyGTA]

Who wouldn’t??? 😀

[@cowondeso]

Even EM is as the same age with Joseph Williams, born 1960

[@wittikitti]

Love Eric Martin!

[@charlieswitzer9931]

Got to chat w/ Eric one night in San Antonio, at Sneakers, they had just opened up for the Scorpions.....he was very cool and down to earth... I was acting all cool-myself.....tryin not to dork-out and be all star struck.........😁

[@simontempler3239]

Guy has one of the best voices in rock n roll.....right up there with Paul Rodgers ..

[@MrEdongzki]

now im imagining eric singing some of those 5150 songs,like dreams,love comes walking in,why cant this be love..

[@davidstewart4310]

Met Eric a few times....awesum singer and awesum guy! Keep Rockin Eric!

[@ConcertsANDhomeMOVIES]

Love this guy. Saw him at the Boardwalk many times. Our band played there at the Boardwalk also and we became friends with Eric. He was always a laid back nice person. He always rocked the stage with his great songs and amazing voice! Thank you, Eric!

[@SonnyGTA]

Eric. I love telling people this story. They doubt it. “Where did you hear that?” I say, Eric himself!

[@renecasarez4406]

Hey Eric 😎

[@lauraberry4817]

I like this guy & I am not a big van halen fan , Eddie's great ,but not a big fan of van halen

[@courtbeall7768]

When I saw Mr.Big,I thought these guys are man for man better than Van Halen.

[@ananlynsaunar2165]

'don't be upset your are one of the famous vocalist you werew meant to be in mr big

[@shyrleysilveyra5285]

I personally know 1 song by Van Halen but I know about 50 songs by Mr. Big 'cause I love Mr. Big!!!

[@cruisematt8585]

Van Halen missed out big time BUT I am thankful he ended up with Mr. Big instead. Things happen for a reason. Eric has such a phenomenal voice and I absolutely love him. Such a cool dude and so very cute

[@robertdirocco1885]

This worked out better for Eric in the long run. Always loved Mr Big. Also RIP Pat Torpey

[@davidhall7648]

Every member of Mr Big is a massive talent with friendly down to earth personalities. All rock stars should be this epic!

[@map8961]

6:44 Eric Martin and Arnel Pineda deserve so much more. Mr. Big and Arnel must be inducted in the rock and roll hall of fame.

[@vivida7160]

I gather that he never actually auditioned for Van Halen? He was asked to audition but backed out of it before seeing Eddie, didn't he?

[@cccc-wl4xi]

the best singer of the world...

[@MrBugzteq]

he s getting more handsome as he age

[@erichani1]

Yes indeed

[@chrissttiiee]

Such a humble man.

[@sevenseems4917]

damn.. that would be amazing music ...

[@ridehead8771]

Isn't he the male version of Sandra Bullock? 😁

[@WineSippingCowboy]

Teachers is a b movie. Before starring in this movie, Ralph Macchio was in Karate Kid, released in the summer of the same year, 1984! But the soundtrack is cool! Night Ranger + Bob Seger were in it. Bryan Adams + Jim Vallance wrote Teacher Teacher + Edge of a Dream. 38 Special + Joe Cocker played them. Eric, you joined Patty Smythe: she bowed out before you did!

[@MrSomchiman]

Love your voice & tone, Eric!!!!

[@midniterunband]

I think he did the right thing, he would have been hated by fans who liked DLR and always compared and taking a lot of heat, Hes way to good of a singer to have any bad rap just because people hate on him for not being the original

[@That1Guy]

i saw Mr Big at the Stone in SF in the late 80's like a year before the first album came out. Then i saw them with Rush on that same Presto tour. I miss the Bay. great interview! Thanks!

[@JohnnyBeane]

I met the whole band, they were all very nice.

[@dotfern3010]

Love you Eric... Glad you became Mr. BIG.... Love All your music...! ❤

[@RosesAres]

They want girls fans absolutely if they want Eric

[@LaraCoimbra93]

I also do love Eric and Mr. Big is my favorite band.

[@dontutongzkiperfecto109]

He was Steve Lukather's guy to replace Bobby Kimball on Toto but Jeff Porcaro wanted Fergie Frederiksen

[@pepsitate8019]

How could EVH not like the first Eric Martin album?

[@michellemore266]

Sexy voice and brilliant singer

[@mattmaur6321]

He looks like a middle-aged lesbian

[@fattahhardiwinangun333]

Did Neal Schon ever offered him Journey gig?

[@marcomarx9269]

38 years old from Brazil.

[@dasse1588]

He would have been a hell of a singer for Van Halen. But who wants that nightmare touring with those knuckleheads LOL

[@lauraberry4817]

Lol

[@tylerthescreamofficial98]

Good choice not joining but then it would of been sweet cuz Eric could pull some VH for sure. He has the screams for it

[@CollinZaffke]

I can't believe he tslked with Niel Shon, I always said he has a voice like Steve Perry.

[@datkinson1635]

"didn't you know" says Eric Martin "we had the industry cornered on the business of playing bland, palm muted sus4 patterns over D and E while I sung Baby Baby Yr Driving Me Crazy, followed by an overcompressed, fake sounding guitar solo, done purely for showmanship and tacky eighties shred value. Ministry? I've never heard of them."

[@arthurmurfitt7698]

Y&T's Phil Kennemore tribute shirt

[@aleksandarmitrovic6259]

...shame,shame...Eric is a GREAT voi ce..Gary Cherone it is bad decision for VH...

[@The4thDensity]

He looks like a High school geek.

[@chrissttiiee]

I don't listen to boneyard, but no disrespect ... going off on EM is crappy. Not cool.

[@NikkiBlakk]

Where so I go off on Eric Martin? I love Eric!

[@tylerthescreamofficial98]

he would of been bad ass in VH tho

[@Y2TABOO4U]

Oh and the $$$$ lol no disrespect

[@gordylincon109]

Would of been awesome. But I love mr big to much

[@tunggulsujarwob.archmba7751]

Another this annoying and boring ads of traveloka? Sorry i ve got to go without finish.

[@marioleoa]

There are some things that are not made to be...Imagine if Billy Sheehan plays with Van Halen? That wouldn't rock at all...There is no space on Van Halen for he's playing...

[@ringgoyudistira6688]

love you so much dude..

[@samuelheldilaof6361]

I Wish JOE SWANSON was here to tell us about real Metal!!!!

[@wrepwhenradioentertainedpe6572]

David Lee Roth must have watched this.....

[@furuon0929]

エリック大好き❤

[@ake8203]

He dont age :( what is he drinking or is it surgery but pretty good surgery then

[@wesnorthcutt639]

You're young, let your hair grow out for heavens sake and check out some contact lenses, wtf happened to show biz and rnr? Back in the day if someone were a talented devoted rocker...you could tell it.

[@undertaken101]

Well he's got longer hair now and rocks it:)

[@dalehelton]

Eric Martin is my favorite singer! I've been saying for years that he should sing for Van Halen! That would have ruled!!!!!!!!!!! Now I'm sad.

[@davidstewart4310]

Dale Helton defo

[@wrepwhenradioentertainedpe6572]

So....if you didn't see Sammy Hagar at the airport, you wouldn't have known that he was looking to get into VH as well and you would have auditioned. WOW..... isn't fate weird???

[@NikkiBlakk]

I promise to call him an artist if you promise to consider switching to decaf ;-)

[@WavyMidnight]

I remember him when he fronted '415' and before that, 'ScarletLetter'. Glad to see he's still around. Amazing voice - he would have been great with VH but then Hagar with VH was awesome too, love those years.