Mike Porcaro, the bass player for Toto, has died from Lou Gehrig’s disease at the age of 59.
Mike’s brother (and Toto keyboard player) Steve Porcaro, confirmed his death writing on Facebook “Our brother Mike passed away peacefully in his sleep at 12:04 AM last night at home surrounded by his family. Rest in peace, my brother”.
Toto’s Steve Lukather posted to Twitter, “My brother Mike Porcaro is now now at peace. I will miss him more than I could ever put into words. My deepest love to the family. God Bless”.
My brother Mike Porcaro is now now at peace. I will miss him more than I could ever put into words. My deepest love to the family. God Bless
— Steve Lukather (@stevelukather) March 15, 2015
Mike is the middle brother of Jeff and Steve Pocaro and son of jazz musician Joe Pocaro. Toto formed after backing Boz Scaggs for the ‘Silk Degrees’ album. Mike’s dad Joe also played percussion of the Scaggs hit ‘What Can I Say’.
Mike Pocaro became an official member of Toto after the IV album although he had played sessions on earlier records. His first album with the band was 1984’s ‘Isolation’. He then played on all albums through to 2006’s ‘Falling In Between’.
Toto are scheduled to release their new album ‘XIV’ later this month.
In 2007 Mike was diagnosed with Lou Gerhig’s disease (Motor Neuron Disease) and left the band. In recent years Mike was confined to a wheelchair.
Mike died in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles in the early hours of Sunday morning.
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