TOTO and Mike Porcaro news

Lonnybass · #1 02-26-2010, 04:34 PM

Just issued. Sad news indeed for Mike Porcaro...a truly beautiful cat.

TOTO Band statement - Feb 27th 2010

Former members of Toto are reforming for a brief tour this summer in Europe to honor their brother Mike Porcaro who is living with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). The line-up will include David Paich, Steve Lukather, Steve Porcaro, Simon Phillips, Joseph Williams and special guest, Nathan East.

The exact tour schedule will be announced as soon as it is confirmed.

stratovani · #2 02-26-2010, 04:59 PM

I had an uncle who dies of ALS back in the late 70s. In my opinion it's THE most horrible way to die. Imagine being trapped inside a body that's progressively losing the use of all its muscles, while the mind remains sharp. After a time the last muscle you lose is your diaphragm, then you suffocate to death. My uncle lasted three years with it. I've seen it up close and personal, and I can think of a million ways I'd rather die than with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease.

May God bless you and watch over you, Mike.

Dan Knowlton · #3 02-26-2010, 04:59 PM

Wow, that is one unlucky family - first Jeff, now Mike!

Just as a coincidence, I have been listening to "the Essential TOTO" CD today. Good stuff there!

Dan K.

Redhotbassist · #4 02-26-2010, 04:59 PM

No way? thats absolutely gutting, great news on the reformation, but what a downer about mikey!...Would love to go see them when they come to the UK.

Basshappi · #5 02-26-2010, 05:05 PM

Very, very sad.

Dr. Cheese · #6 02-26-2010, 09:07 PM

I pray for a miracle!

kevbassman · #7 02-26-2010, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

I pray for a miracle!

+1

Let's keep Mike & family in our prayers.

FranBass · #8 02-27-2010, 03:08 AM

This is so sad... I posted this information about Toto and Mike in a bassists forum in Spain a few hours ago. I am terribly shocked after learning about his disease.

As a bassist, Mike Porcaro is one of my models on how a bass guitar should sound: whenever someone asks me how would I like to sound, I normally answer "Just like Mike Porcaro in Toto's "Absolutely Live"".

His use of the B string is a significant part of what I consider to be a smooth, punctual and elegant way of playing bass guitar.

I live in Europe, and I will attend at least one of the dates.

Best Regards

Ezbass · #9 02-27-2010, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Knowlton

Wow, that is one unlucky family - first Jeff, now Mike!

Yeah it seems so unfair, this truly sucks

tieftonservices · #10 02-28-2010, 05:36 PM

that's sad. i love mike's playing, he is a monster-groover and very underrated player. hopefully i'll see one of the toto shows.

Caca de Kick · #11 02-28-2010, 06:28 PM

Very sad to hear. I had a close friend die in '05 of ALS. It was sad watching a strong cowboy gradually waste away.

pasta4lnch · #12 02-28-2010, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stratovani

I had an uncle who dies of ALS back in the late 70s. In my opinion it's THE most horrible way to die. Imagine being trapped inside a body that's progressively losing the use of all its muscles, while the mind remains sharp. After a time the last muscle you lose is your diaphragm, then you suffocate to death. My uncle lasted three years with it. I've seen it up close and personal, and I can think of a million ways I'd rather die than with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease.

May God bless you and watch over you, Mike.

that sounds awful, what a horrible thing to have to endure . . .

RBrownBass · #13 02-28-2010, 06:40 PM

Wow. Horrible way to die. Hoping someone will find a cure soon. Is Jason Becker still alive?

Lonnybass · #14 02-28-2010, 07:08 PM

I saw the guys play in 2006 and 2007 before Mike had to stop touring. He was wearing these blue splints on his thumbs and it looked pretty uncomfortable, but MP muscled through it. I had no idea what exactly was wrong with him, but started to get the feeling that it was much more serious than a mere hand injury.

This is terrible, terrible news.

Lonnybass

deaf pea · #15 02-28-2010, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

I pray for a miracle!

yeah, me too! . . . I will always remember that one of my idols, Charles Mingus, died of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico on January 5, 1979 . . .

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auriaprottu

...Is Jason Becker still alive?

Yes . . . he's 40 years old . . . he has said "I have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. It has crippled my body and speech, but not my mind." . . .

mindbass · #16 03-25-2010, 10:17 AM

i'll go and see Toto this summer. It won't be the same without Mike though.....he's an inspiration for groove and song oriented playing.

NikkiSixx · #17 04-11-2010, 10:01 AM

All my best wishes to Mike and his family. My utmost respect to guys like Mike and Jason Becker for having the courage to live through such a horrible disease.

**JayAmel** · #18 04-11-2010, 10:10 AM

May hope do the best job it can for Mike.

Rano Bass · #19 04-12-2010, 05:46 PM

Thats too sad, i hoped he would get better.
I loved his tone in this DVD (you can hear it beginning at 4:30)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwQ6KCHBD-I&feature=fvw

MikeBass · #20 04-14-2010, 08:20 AM

That sucks......Prayers for him and his family......