Michael Stephen Portnoy[2](born April 20, 1967) is an American musician who is primarily known as the drummer, backing vocalist, and co-founder ofprogressive metalbandDream Theater.
Mike Portnoy | |
|---|---|
 Portnoy performing in March 2022 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Michael Stephen Portnoy |
| Also known as | MP[1] |
| Born | April 20, 1967 Long Beach, New York,U.S. |
| Origin | Boston, Massachusetts,U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Member of | |
| Formerly of |
|
| Website | mikeportnoy |
In September 2010, Portnoy announced his departure from Dream Theater after 25 years, withMike Manginitaking his place as drummer of the band. In October 2023, 13 years after his departure, the band announced his return. During his time out of Dream Theater, Portnoy remained active, with a variety of bands and projects, includingAdrenaline Mob,Avenged Sevenfold,Transatlantic,Yellow Matter Custard,Flying Colors,The Winery Dogs,Liquid Tension Experiment,Metal Allegiance,Sons of Apollo,the Neal Morse Band,andBPMD.
Early life
editPortnoy was born on April 20, 1967, inLong Beach, New York.[3]He isJewish.His father, Howard Portnoy (1940–2009), worked as a DJ at a local radio station. Mike and his father later moved toCarmel-by-the-Sea, California,to work atKRMLradio station after watching the 1971 filmPlay Misty for Me.[4]His mother died on November 16, 1984, when the private plane she was riding in, with her boyfriend, crashed off theAtlantic Citycoastline.[5]
His father's job as a DJ helped Portnoy gain an appreciation for music at an early age, as he had access to his father's collection ofLPs.He developed a preference for bandsRush,Kiss,Queen,Led Zeppelin,The Who,Iron Maiden,andThe Beatles,among others. Portnoy claims to be self-taught as a drummer, though he did takemusic theoryclasses in high school. During that period he began playing in local bands. With Rising Power and Inner Sanctum he recorded and released independent albums.
Career
editDream Theater: 1985–2010, 2023–present
edit
Portnoy left Inner Sanctum, his last high school band, after being awarded a scholarship to attend theBerklee College of MusicinBoston.There, he metJohn PetrucciandJohn Myung.They formed a band called Majesty, which was later changed toDream Theater.Soon after they all left Berklee.[6]
Known for his technical skill as a drummer in Dream Theater, Portnoy has won 32 awards from theModern Drummermagazine.[7]He is the second youngest person (afterNeil Peart) to be inducted into theModern DrummerHall of Fame, at 37 years of age. He was one of the main songwriters during his first tenure with Dream Theater. He co-produced six of their albums with guitaristJohn Petrucci,starting fromMetropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a MemorythroughBlack Clouds and Silver Linings.
In the spring of 2010, Portnoy filled in forAvenged Sevenfold's former drummer,Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan,who died during the production of the band's fifth albumNightmare.On May 5, 2010, Portnoy released a statement on his status with Avenged Sevenfold on their official website, concluding his working relationship with the band.[8]
In September 2010, Portnoy announced he was leaving Dream Theater. The band hiredMike Manginito take his place after inviting and holding auditions with seven "world-class" drummers.[9]
Avenged Sevenfold chose not to continue working with Portnoy after theNightmaretour was completed, in part due to the significant controversy surrounding his departure from Dream Theater.[10][4]Following this, Portnoy announced that he asked to return to Dream Theater, but was turned down by their lawyer[11]as the band had already brought Mangini fully onboard and he had left his tenured teaching position at Berklee College of Music to join the band.[12]
On October 25, 2023, Dream Theater announced that Portnoy was returning to the band,[13]Portnoy having gradually reconciled with the band throughout his 13-year absence before lastly reconciling with James LaBrie in 2022 at the band's show at theBeacon Theatrein New York.[14][15]His first album with the band in 15 years,Parasomniawas released on February 7, 2025.[16]
Former and current projects: 1997–2023
editPortnoy is known for his many side projects and tribute bands. He is a founding member ofLiquid Tension Experiment,an instrumental progressive rock band featuring fellow Dream Theater members John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess along with bassistTony Levin.He is also a founding member ofTransatlantic,a progressive rock "super-group" featuring formerSpock's Beardkeyboardist/vocalistNeal Morse,Flower KingsguitaristRoine StoltandMarillionbassistPete Trewavas.Outside of Transatlantic, Portnoy has worked with Neal Morse extensively, appearing on most of his solo albums. He is a member ofThe Neal Morse Band,featuring guitarist/vocalistEric Gillette,bassist Randy George, and second keyboardist/vocalist Bill Hubauer. Portnoy has also recorded and/or toured/performed live withUmphrey's McGee,OSI,Hail!,Stone Sour,Fates Warning,OverkillandG3.Over the years, Portnoy has created tribute bands to the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Rush, and the Who.[17]
After his departure from Dream Theater, Portnoy formed several new bands, starting withAdrenaline Mob,atraditional heavy metal/hard rockband with singerRussell Allen(ofSymphony X) and guitaristMike Orlando.[18]On June 4, 2013, however, Portnoy announced his departure from Adrenaline Mob, citing scheduling conflicts.[19]
Portnoy is a founding member ofFlying Colors,aprogressive rockband also featuringSteve Morse,Neal Morse,Dave LaRue,andCasey McPherson.
He also foundedThe Winery Dogs,apower trioalso featuring bassistBilly Sheehan(Mr. Big) and guitaristRichie Kotzen(formerly of Mr. Big andPoison);Sons of Apollo,a progressive metal supergroup also featuring Sheehan,Derek Sherinian,Jeff Scott SotoandRon "Bumblefoot" Thal;Metal Allegiance,a thrash metal/groove metal band also featuring Mark Menghi,David Ellefson(Megadeth) andAlex Skolnick(Testament); andBPMD,a supergroup/cover band also featuring Menghi,Phil Demmel(Vio-lence) andBobby "Blitz" Ellsworth(Overkill). He was also a member of PSMS, withTony Macalpine,Billy Sheehan and Derek Sherinian.
Portnoy also drummed withTwisted Sisterfrom 2015 to 2016, following the death of longtime drummerA. J. Pero.[20]He also played with the band at their one-off performance in 2023.[21]
Artistry and influences
editIn the April 2001 edition ofModern Drummerand Portnoy's website, he namesNeil Peart,Ringo Starr,Phil Collins,John BonhamandKeith Moonas influences.[22]
Portnoy played bass whenDream Theaterperformed as the fictitious bandNightmare Cinema.Before live performances of "Trial of Tears", he would sometimes switch instruments withJohn Petrucciand play a fragment of "Eruption"byVan Halen.In Nightmare Cinema, he went by the stage name "Max Del Fuvio".[23]
Portnoy played bass guitar and xylophone during a song onLiquid Tension Experiment 2.He has also contributed lead and harmony vocals to numerous projects.[citation needed]
Progressive Nation
edit
In 2008, Portnoy organized a tour calledProgressive Nation.Dream Theaterheadlined the touring festival and were joined byOpeth,Between the Buried and Meand3.Portnoy stated, "I've been wanting to assemble a package tour like this for many years now. With all of the festivals and package tours that go through America, I've been talking with our manager and agent for over 10 years now about doing something that focuses on the more progressive, musician-oriented side of hard rock and metal. I decided it was time to stop talking the talk, lace up and finally walk the walk."[24]
In 2009, the tour returned withDream Theaterheadlining once more and joined byZappa Plays Zappa,Pain of Salvation,andBeardfish.[25]
In 2014, Portnoy rebooted Progressive Nation as a 4-day cruising music festival calledProgressive Nation at Sea.The event took place on theNorwegian Pearlon February 18–22, 2014 sailing fromMiami, FLto theBahamas.Portnoy organized the cruise with help fromDerek Sherinian,and music festival company, Sixthman. Portnoy performed in three different bands on the cruise,Transatlantic,Portnoy, Sheehan, MacAlpine, Sherinian (PSMS), andBigelf.Also rounding out the cruise were a large number of other progressive rock artists,Jon Anderson,Adrian Belew's Power Trio,Devin Townsend Project,King's X,Spock's Beard,The Flower Kings,Pain of Salvation,Anathema,Riverside,Periphery,Animals as Leaders,The Safety Fire,Tony Harnell&Bumblefoot,Beardfish,The Dear Hunter,Haken,Jolly,Anneke Van Giersbergen,Mark Mikel, and his son, Max Portnoy's band, Next to None. Portnoy describes what the cruise was like: "Progressive Nation at Sea still remains one of my proudest career memories…at the time, music cruises were just beginning to blossom and to be given the opportunity to assemble such an amazing lineup was a dream come true for me".[26]
SinceProgressive Nation at Sea 2014,Portnoy went on to join forces with another cruisingprogressive rockmusic festival,Cruise to the Edge,to merge the vision and musical lineups. CTTE has been sailing annually since then.[26]
Personal life
editPortnoy and his wifeMarlene(née Apuzzo) live inUpper Saucon Townshipin theLehigh Valleyregion ofPennsylvaniawith their children, Melody Ruthandrea (born May 3, 1997)[27]andMax John(born March 7, 1999).[28]
Portnoy is a recovering addict and has openly discussed it. The five song setTwelve-step Suitedeals with his experience of substance abuse. He edged away from alcohol and drugs in April 2000 and has remained sober since then.[29]
Equipment
editPortnoy endorsesTamadrums,Sabiancymbals,Promarkdrumsticks andRemodrumheads. Though Portnoy is mainly a drummer and backing vocalist he also contributes lead vocals,[30]bass guitar[31][32]and keyboards.
Discography
edit- Dream Theater
- When Dream and Day Unite(1989)
- Images and Words(1992)
- Awake(1994)
- A Change of Seasons(1995)
- Falling into Infinity(1997)
- Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory(1999)
- Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence(2002)
- Train of Thought(2003)
- Octavarium(2005)
- Systematic Chaos(2007)
- Black Clouds & Silver Linings(2009)
- Parasomnia(2025)
- Liquid Tension Experiment
- Liquid Tension Experiment(1998)
- Liquid Tension Experiment 2(1999)
- Liquid Tension Experiment 3(2021)
- Transatlantic
- SMPT:e(2000)
- Bridge Across Forever(2001)
- The Whirlwind(2009)
- Kaleidoscope(2014)
- The Absolute Universe(2021)
- Liquid Trio Experiment
- Avenged Sevenfold
- Nightmare(2010)
- Neal Morse
- Testimony(2003)
- One(2004)
- ?(2005)
- Sola Scriptura(2007)
- Lifeline(2008)
- Testimony 2(2011)
- Momentum(2012)
- Sola Gratia(2020)
- The Neal Morse Band
- The Grand Experiment(2015)
- The Similitude of a Dream(2016)
- The Great Adventure(2019)
- Innocence & Danger(2021)
- Flying Colors
- Flying Colors(2012)
- Second Nature(2014)
- Third Degree(2019)
- John Petrucci
- Terminal Velocity(2020)
- Adrenaline Mob
- BPMD
- American Made(2020)
- Haken
- Restoration(2014)
- Metal Allegiance
- Metal Allegiance(2015)
- Fallen Heroes(2016)
- Volume II: Power Drunk Majesty(2018)
- OSI
- Office of Strategic Influence(2003)
- Free(2006)
- Sons of Apollo
- Psychotic Symphony(2017)
- MMXX(2020)
- The Winery Dogs
- The Winery Dogs(2013)
- Hot Streak(2015)
- Dog Years(2017)
- III(2023)
- John Arch
- A Twist of Fate(2003)
- Between the Buried and Me
- Bigelf
- Into the Maelstrom(2014)
References
edit- ^"Happy New Year from MP & JP! @MikePortnoy @JPetrucci - @mikeportnoy".RetrievedJanuary 21,2024.
- ^Da Silva, George Batista (October 3, 2017).Nomes Batismais.Clube de Autores.
- ^"Mike Portnoy Biography, Songs, & Albums".AllMusic.RetrievedJuly 8,2023.
- ^abMike Portnoy - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction?.Loudwire.April 1, 2015.Archivedfrom the original on June 3, 2022.RetrievedDecember 1,2022– viaYouTube.
- ^Portnoy, Mike (June 30, 2015)."PLEASE TAKE 2 MINUTES TO READ THIS POST….IT JUST MAY CHANGE YOUR LIFE!".Archived fromthe originalon February 26, 2022.RetrievedJune 30,2015– via Facebook.
- ^Reesman, Bryan."An Interview with Twisted Sister: The Fire Still Burns".theaquarian.com.Arts Weekly, Inc.RetrievedDecember 9,2015.
- ^"MIKE PORTNOY Wins 30th Modern Drummer Readers Poll Award -" I Am Beyond Grateful, Appreciative And Humbled "".Bravewords.com.RetrievedMarch 15,2018.
- ^"MIKE PORTNOY WILL BE DRUMMING WITH A7X".Avenged Sevenfold. July 31, 2010. Archived fromthe originalon September 28, 2011.RetrievedOctober 24,2011.
- ^"It's Official: MIKE MANGINI Is New DREAM THEATER Drummer".BlabberMouth.net.April 29, 2011.
- ^Portnoy, Mike (December 16, 2010)."Mike Portnoy Confirms, 'My Time With Avenged Sevenfold Has Come To An End.'".Deathbat News.
- ^"Mike Portnoy Told He Can't Come Back To Dream Theater".Anthonybest.com.December 20, 2010. Archived fromthe originalon August 4, 2016.RetrievedOctober 3,2014.
- ^"Interview: Dream Theater's John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess on the band's future".musicradar.com.May 11, 2011.
- ^"Dream Theater announce the return of drummer Mike Portnoy".Dream Theater. October 25, 2023.RetrievedOctober 25,2023.
- ^Kaufman, Spencer (December 29, 2023)."Mike Portnoy Opens Up on Dream Theater Reunion:" The Final Piece Was Me Reconnecting with James LaBrie "".consequence.net.RetrievedJanuary 29,2025.
- ^Kennelty, Greg (March 5, 2022)."Mike Portnoy Attended a Dream Theater Show, Got A Shout Out From The Stage".Metal Injection.RetrievedJanuary 29,2025.
- ^Grow, Kory (October 10, 2024)."Dream Theater Tease 'Parasomnia' Album With 10-Minute 'Night Terror'".Rolling Stone.RetrievedJanuary 29,2025.
- ^Amazing Journey - Paul Gilbert/Mike Portnoy/Billy Sheehan/Gary Cherone - Young Man Blues.winrar. August 22, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on July 30, 2022.RetrievedDecember 1,2022– viaYouTube.
- ^"MIKE PORTNOY, RUSSELL ALLEN, RICH WARD, MIKE ORLANDO Join Forces In ADRENALINE MOB".Archived fromthe originalon June 19, 2011.RetrievedJune 16,2011.
- ^"DRUMMER MIKE PORTNOY LEAVES ADRENALINE MOB".eddietrunk.com.RetrievedApril 23,2021.
- ^Hartmann, Graham (December 8, 2015)."Mike Portnoy on Twisted Sister + Honoring A.J. Pero".Loudwire.RetrievedApril 12,2024.
- ^Horsley, Jonathan (January 27, 2023)."Watch Twisted Sister reunite with Mike Portnoy on drums and blaze through three classics at the Metal Hall Of Fame".MusicRadar.RetrievedApril 12,2024.
- ^"Mike Portnoy".Mike Portnoy.
- ^"Who are the Del Fuvio Monks?".The Dream Theater World.January 3, 2016.RetrievedNovember 8,2022.
- ^"Progressive Nation 2008 - Press Release".dreamtheater.net.Dream Theater. November 5, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon May 10, 2008.RetrievedMay 11,2008.
- ^"PROGRESSIVE NATIONS 2009 – NORTH AMERICAN SUMMER TOUR".Jordan Rudess.com.February 13, 2009.RetrievedDecember 15,2023.
- ^ab"Progressive Nation at Sea sets sail 5 years ago".The Prog Report.February 20, 2019.RetrievedDecember 15,2023.
- ^@MikePortnoy (May 2, 2017)."HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY TO @MelodyPortnoy!!!! - @mikeportnoy"(Tweet).RetrievedJanuary 21,2024– viaTwitter.
- ^"Happy 18th Birthday to my Mini-Me @maxportnoy!!".RetrievedJanuary 21,2024– via Instagram.
- ^Hartmann, Graham (June 29, 2017)."Mike Portnoy on Battling Alcoholism: Doctors Told Me I Wouldn't Live to See 40 Years Old".LoudWire.com.RetrievedJanuary 9,2020.
- ^Portnoy, Mike [@MikePortnoy](May 6, 2020)."MANY lead vocals through the years...search these on YouTube: • Sons of Apollo - Comfortably Numb • Transatlantic - A Salty Dog • Dream Theater - Best Of Times (Demo) • Flying Colors - Repentance (Live) And tune in on Saturday for the @theprogreport #progathome concert 😉😎 https://t.co/UGgKMl2CoO"(Tweet).Archivedfrom the original on August 11, 2022.RetrievedDecember 1,2022– viaTwitter.
- ^Mike Portnoy Plays Guitar Bass ••• Live at Morsefest 2020.Zafea House. October 23, 2020.Archivedfrom the original on August 11, 2022.RetrievedDecember 1,2022– viaYouTube.
- ^"TransAtlantic Winds".planetizz.net.RetrievedAugust 11,2022.
- ^Owen, Matt (June 25, 2021)."Between The Buried And Me announce new album Colors II, recruit Mike Portnoy for thunderous lead single, Fix the Error".guitarworld.RetrievedAugust 30,2021.
External links
edit
