Toto’s Mike Porcaro dead at 59

Toto bassist Mike Porcaro has died after a struggle with Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was 59.

Bandmate and brother Steve confirmed the news, saying: “Mike passed away peacefully in his sleep at 12:04am last night at home surrounded by his family. Rest in peace, my brother.”

He was forced to retire from touring with the band in 2007 as a result of his illness, also known as motor neurone disease, which causes muscle wasting. The band continued to list him as a permanent member while original bassist David Hungate took his place on the road.

Mike joined brothers Steve and Jeff in Toto in 1984, and remained until his retirement. The band – minus Jeff, who died in 1992 – split in 2008 but regrouped in 2010 to provide support after the bassist’s disease was announced in public. He’d been in a wheelchair since 2012.

They’ve continued to play since regrouping, and Toto XIV, their first album in nine years, is launched on March 23, with UK dates to follow.

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.