Dream Theater - Mike Portnoy Leaves The Band (UPDATED)
Original news
In the "didn't see this one coming" department, Mike Portnoy has just announced he is quitting Dream Theater. Portnoy issued the following statement on his Facebook fan page he administers himself:
"I am about to write something I never imagined I'd ever write: after 25 years, I have decided to leave Dream Theater... the band I founded, led and truly loved for a quarter of a century.
To many people this will come as a complete shock, and will also likely be misunderstood by some, but please believe me that it is not a hasty decision... it is something I have struggled with for the last year or so....
After having had such amazing experiences playing with Hail!, Transatlantic and Avenged Sevenfold this past year, I have sadly come to the conclusion that I have recently had more fun and better personal relations with these other projects than I have for a while now in Dream Theater...
Please don't misinterpret me, I love the DT guys dearly and have a long history, friendship and bond that runs incredibly deep with them... it's just that I think we are in serious need of a little break...
Dream Theater was always my baby... and I nurtured that baby every single day and waking moment of my life since 1985... 24/7, 365... never taking time off from DT's never-ending responsibilites (even when the band was "off" between cycles)... working overtime and way beyond the call of duty that most sane people ever would do for a band...
But I've come to the conclusion that the DT machine was starting to burn me out... and I really needed a break from the band in order to save my relationship with the other members and keep my DT spirit hungry and inspired.
We have been on an endless write/record/tour cycle for almost 20 years now (of which I have overseen EVERY aspect without a break) and while a few months apart from each other here & there over the years has been much needed and helpful, I honestly hoped the band could simply agree with me to taking a bit of a "hiatus" to recharge our batteries and "save me from ourselves"...
Sadly, in discussing this with the guys, they determined they do not share my feelings and have decided to continue without me rather than take a breather... I even offered to do some occasional work throughout 2011 against my initial wishes, but it was not to be...
While it truly hurts for me to even think of a Dream Theater without Mike Portnoy (hell, my father named the band!!), I do not want to stand in their way... so I have decided to sacrifice myself and simply leave the band so as to not hold them back against their wishes....
Strangely enough, I just read an interview that I recently did that asked me about the future of DT and I talked about "always following your heart and being true to yourself"... sadly I must say that at this particular moment, my heart is not with Dream Theater... and I would simply be "going through the motions", and would honestly NOT be true to myself if I stayed for the sake of obligation without taking the break I felt I needed.
I wish the guys the best and hope the music and legacy we created together is enjoyed by fans for decades to come... I am proud of every album we made, every song we wrote and every show we played....
I'm sorry to all the disappointed DT fans around the world... I really tried to salvage the situation and make it work... I honestly just wanted a break (not a split)... but happiness cannot be forced, it needs to come from within.... You DT fans are the greatest fans in the world and as you all know, I have always busted my ass for you guys and I hope that you will stay with me on my future musical journey, wherever it may lead me... (and as you all know my work ethic, there will surely be no shortage of future MP projects!)
Sadly... Your fearless ex-leader and drummer, Mike Portnoy"
UPDATE
The rest of the band has made the following announcement:
"To all of our loyal fans and friends: It is with profound sadness - regret - we announce that Mike Portnoy, our lifelong drummer and friend, has decided to leave Dream Theater. Mike's stature in the band has meant the world to all of us professionally, musically, and personally over the years. There is no dispute: Mike has been a major force within this band.
While it is true that Mike is choosing to pursue other ventures and challenges, we can assure you that Dream Theater will continue to move forward with the same intensity - and in the same musical tradition - that you have all helped make so successful, and which is truly gratifying to us.
Fans and friends: File this episode under Black Clouds and Silver Linings. As planned, we begin recording our newest album in January 2011, and we'll follow that with a full-on world tour. "The Spirit Carries On."
All of us in Dream Theater wholeheartedly wish Mike the best on his musical journey. We have had a long and meaningful career together. It is our true hope that he finds all he is looking for, and that he achieves the happiness he deserves. He will be missed."
In the "didn't see this one coming" department, Mike Portnoy has just announced he is quitting Dream Theater. Portnoy issued the following statement on his Facebook fan page he administers himself:
"I am about to write something I never imagined I'd ever write: after 25 years, I have decided to leave Dream Theater... the band I founded, led and truly loved for a quarter of a century.
To many people this will come as a complete shock, and will also likely be misunderstood by some, but please believe me that it is not a hasty decision... it is something I have struggled with for the last year or so....
After having had such amazing experiences playing with Hail!, Transatlantic and Avenged Sevenfold this past year, I have sadly come to the conclusion that I have recently had more fun and better personal relations with these other projects than I have for a while now in Dream Theater...
Please don't misinterpret me, I love the DT guys dearly and have a long history, friendship and bond that runs incredibly deep with them... it's just that I think we are in serious need of a little break...
Dream Theater was always my baby... and I nurtured that baby every single day and waking moment of my life since 1985... 24/7, 365... never taking time off from DT's never-ending responsibilites (even when the band was "off" between cycles)... working overtime and way beyond the call of duty that most sane people ever would do for a band...
But I've come to the conclusion that the DT machine was starting to burn me out... and I really needed a break from the band in order to save my relationship with the other members and keep my DT spirit hungry and inspired.
We have been on an endless write/record/tour cycle for almost 20 years now (of which I have overseen EVERY aspect without a break) and while a few months apart from each other here & there over the years has been much needed and helpful, I honestly hoped the band could simply agree with me to taking a bit of a "hiatus" to recharge our batteries and "save me from ourselves"...
Sadly, in discussing this with the guys, they determined they do not share my feelings and have decided to continue without me rather than take a breather... I even offered to do some occasional work throughout 2011 against my initial wishes, but it was not to be...
While it truly hurts for me to even think of a Dream Theater without Mike Portnoy (hell, my father named the band!!), I do not want to stand in their way... so I have decided to sacrifice myself and simply leave the band so as to not hold them back against their wishes....
Strangely enough, I just read an interview that I recently did that asked me about the future of DT and I talked about "always following your heart and being true to yourself"... sadly I must say that at this particular moment, my heart is not with Dream Theater... and I would simply be "going through the motions", and would honestly NOT be true to myself if I stayed for the sake of obligation without taking the break I felt I needed.
I wish the guys the best and hope the music and legacy we created together is enjoyed by fans for decades to come... I am proud of every album we made, every song we wrote and every show we played....
I'm sorry to all the disappointed DT fans around the world... I really tried to salvage the situation and make it work... I honestly just wanted a break (not a split)... but happiness cannot be forced, it needs to come from within.... You DT fans are the greatest fans in the world and as you all know, I have always busted my ass for you guys and I hope that you will stay with me on my future musical journey, wherever it may lead me... (and as you all know my work ethic, there will surely be no shortage of future MP projects!)
Sadly... Your fearless ex-leader and drummer, Mike Portnoy"
UPDATE
The rest of the band has made the following announcement:
"To all of our loyal fans and friends: It is with profound sadness - regret - we announce that Mike Portnoy, our lifelong drummer and friend, has decided to leave Dream Theater. Mike's stature in the band has meant the world to all of us professionally, musically, and personally over the years. There is no dispute: Mike has been a major force within this band.
While it is true that Mike is choosing to pursue other ventures and challenges, we can assure you that Dream Theater will continue to move forward with the same intensity - and in the same musical tradition - that you have all helped make so successful, and which is truly gratifying to us.
Fans and friends: File this episode under Black Clouds and Silver Linings. As planned, we begin recording our newest album in January 2011, and we'll follow that with a full-on world tour. "The Spirit Carries On."
All of us in Dream Theater wholeheartedly wish Mike the best on his musical journey. We have had a long and meaningful career together. It is our true hope that he finds all he is looking for, and that he achieves the happiness he deserves. He will be missed."
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| dark_mar Posts: 77  |
Good for Him. With all respect for the band and the John Petrucci, James LaBrie, John Myung...they shuld finish after Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence, and MP deserve more music focus band now - nor just speed 16/32 notes ect. Falling Into Infinity - the bast ALBUM
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| Kaede Posts: 5  |
Written by Daniell on 09.09.2010 at 11:59 I do agree.
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| RockeRoy Posts: 641  |
This is so sad, i think dream theater never will be that good anymore can't think of anyone who could replace him
---- You found god? If nobody claims him in thirty days, he's yours Walk with me in hell
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| INÆRIS Posts: 204  |
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| Korgull Posts: 1 |
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| the stranger Posts: 398  |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgqm8g95wwI Jordan's words about Portnoy's departure.
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| AyΣm Abyssal Zebra Posts: 283  |
I am upset... Really... I thought I could see DT at least once in my life, but I couldn't expect that Portnoy would leave the band... Now DT has lost all interest I had in them when they were with Portnoy...
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| Ellrohir Heaven Knight Posts: 8664  |
Written by Korgull on 10.09.2010 at 07:44 lol  
---- My rest seems now calm and deep Finally I got my dead man sleep 
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| diogobarbosa90 Posts: 14 |
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| Daniell _爱情_ Elite Posts: 6063  |
You seem unaware of how much material was composed by Portnoy.
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| MightyFuckinThor Posts: 29 |
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| LeChron James Helvetesfossen Posts: 3561  |
Craaaazy. Definitely didn't see that coming.
---- Kick Ass, Die Young Less is More Stay Pure Stay Poor Music was my life, music brought me to life and music is how I will be remembered long after I leave this life. When I die there will be a final waltz in my head that only I can hear.
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| STEELER Posts: 24  |
He feel's so young now he's hanging around with a bunch of emo guys..oh well.
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| growling_one Posts: 4  |
Whatever the reason was, this sucks! hard!:mad7:
---- "Nothing kills the spirit like the repulsion for obscure ideas"...
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| tea[m]ster Au Pays Natal Contributor Posts: 5256  |
I think Mark Zonder would be an obvious choice for a replacement
---- rekt
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| Eldroth Posts: 7  |
Now I realize that Portnoy was the main engine of the band: I'll follow him in his project, but DT won't be the same, and I think I'll judge DT differently, now. I hope I'm wrong.
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| Sephiros7 Posts: 32 |
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| Sephiros7 Posts: 32 |
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| Sephiros7 Posts: 32 |
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| tulkas el parcero Posts: 4742  |
Written by Sephiros7 on 14.09.2010 at 23:16 Hmm, didn't know giving out personal opinions on how someone likes/dislikes something was ignorance. First time I've heard that. Anyway, I just read the update saying they'll start recording next year. Any hints on who could be the new drummer?
---- love is like a jar of shit with a strawberry on top
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| RavenKing Posts: 1941  |
Sad to see how commercial and mainstream success can corrupt people and make them throw their integrity through the window. Commercialism has always been the greatest enemy of metal and what will eventually kill it one day.
---- They shake your hand and they smile and they buy you a drink They say we'll be your friends we'll stick with you till the end But everybody's only looking out for themselves And you say who can you trust I'll tell you nobody
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| Aetherius Posts: 219  |
Being a long time fan of DT of as many years as Sephiros7, I would have to say I almost completly agree with his thoughts. Im just excited to hear their new material. Maybe we will get something amazing seeing as how much emotion and thought will go into this next album from members. Mike was a spectacular drummer, and imo one of the best out there. All I worry about is that they can get a long term replacement drummer that can at least match Mike's experience,skill and versatility on the throne. Any ideas on this 
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| Sephiros7 Posts: 32 |
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| Sephiros7 Posts: 32 |
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