1955 - 2015 (Age 59)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mike Porcaro, who was the son and brother of prominent musicians and carved out a long, successful career as the bass player for the Grammy-winning pop group Toto, has died at age 59.
Porcaro died Sunday, Toto's publicist Keith Hagen told The Associated Press.
No cause was given, but he had suffered from Lou Gehrig's disease for several years. He left the group in 2007 because of declining health.
Lou Gehrig's disease, also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, attacks the cells that control muscles.
Toto was formed in the late 1970s by keyboard player, David Paich, Porcaro's brothers Steve and Jeff, and other prominent session musicians who have recorded and toured over the years with Michael Jackson, Sonny and Cher, Boz Scaggs, Steely Dan and numerous others.
Porcaro came on board in the early 1980s when bassist David Hungate left to resume his session career.
The three siblings were the sons of jazz percussionist Joe Porcaro. Jeff Porcaro died in 1992.
Toto's merging of jazz, power-pop, soul and other musical forms sold millions of records in the late 1970s and early '80s and made the group one of the most popular of that time.
The album "Toto IV" won the Grammy for album of the year in 1982. The song "Rosanna" won record of the year.
Other Toto standards include "Hold the Line" and "Africa."
The group was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2009.
Toto's first new studio album in 10 years, "Toto XIV," is scheduled for release later this month. A European tour is slated for the spring and summer.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
I'm from the twin island of Trinidad and Tobago and I love listening to music and one of my most favourite bands was Toto...I especially loved looking at Mike,he was always smiling but seemed very focused when playing bass...I just though he was so handsome ♥
Condolences to his family and may Mike continue to sleep in sweet peace
July 16, 2024
Sé que ya no estás aqui pero me hubiera gustado conocerte. Se me hace un hueco en el estómago al sentir tristeza de ver tus videos y saber que esa hermosa sonrisa ya no existe. seguramente eras una hermosura de hombre así como tu música. Toto se quedo vacío sin ti después de haber sufrido la pérdida de tu hermano. Me conforma saber que alla donde estás ya no sufres dolores ni malestares y que estás junto al creador. Si algo me garantizara que al morir pudiera encontrarme con alguien, sería...
Ma. Elena Ibarra
November 09, 2023 | Aguascalientes
Heavens Orchesta is richer because of Mike's fabulous bass playing
Donna Malchrist
July 18, 2020 | Miami, FL
God is a God of all Comfort and he will Comfort the family's...My heartfelt condolences to the family's..
May 31, 2020
I loved your playing and know that you are with Jeff now!! Play on Brother, play on!!!
Jacques Burnette
May 21, 2020 | TOMBALL, TX | Friend
I was fortunate to meet and hangout with both Mike & Simon in the Club in Singapore in 2002 whilst Bobby & Steve were jamming with the Houseband after their 25th Anniversary Asia Tour concert. Bro., Mike was a real joy and absolutely kind Soul to behold. God bless you bro.Mike and thank you so much to leave us with your kind & blessed mankind and amazing passionate bassist!
Robert Fales
December 14, 2019 | Detroit Lakes, MN | Friend
Valenda Newell
November 30, 2016 | Indianapolis, IN
While I celebrate on 29 May each year, I've been terribly depressed on March 15. Lighting a candle on that day has become a ritual. 1st April is also a good day, while 5 August has been rough for 24 years. We love you Boys, and you will forever be in my heart.
Jennifer Lucas
November 18, 2016 | Bloomington, IN
with Mikey 1996
In this lifetime, it's not often you come to like something and fall in love with THAT something. Toto (apart from my wife) was THAT something for me! They were MY Beatles. The band that I identified with in my journey through life. It's just not possible that most people would get to drink a pint of beer with Sir Paul McCartney in their lifetime either. Mike Porcaro was MY Paul McCartney, the bass player for MY Beatles "Toto"!!
In January 1996 in Manchester England, I got to drink a...
David Jones
April 19, 2016 | London, UM