Who is the Legendary Drummer Behind the Blue Beard that Tool Prog Out to Sea?

Who is the Legendary Drummer behind the Blue Beard that took Prog Out to Sea?

                           
I never thought that I would be swinging from a rope during an album release party in NYC, after Adrenaline Mob had an amazing performance celebrating the release of their first album on March 13, 2012.  The new band took over the Hiro Ballroom that evening, no one left disappointed. At the time, Mike Portnoy, was the drummer of the metal supergroup and since then has left the band but continues to be involved in many different projects.
                                                     
 I met Mike Portnoy 12 years ago and only knew him as the family man that he is.  I had very little knowledge of progressive rock at the time but have grown to appreciate the talent such musicians’ master. Progressive rock is a broad subgenre of rock music that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the early 1970’s with bands such as Genesis, Yes, King Crimson, and ELP.  It was the type of music that was all about excess, long songs and instrumentals.  Imagine the combination of Jazz and Classical music meeting Rock and Roll.  Progressive metal is the fusion of heavy metal and progressive rock which combines aggression and amplified instrumentals that last longer than an average song.  In the late 1970’s, progressive rock began to fizzle as Disco and Punk rock began to make their debut.                

      

In 1985, Mike formed the band, Dream Theater.  The members of  Dream Theater took the blueprint of progressive rock and combined it with the hardness of bands such as Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Metallica, and Judas Priest and shared the sound of progressive metal with those who would listen.  Dream Theater is a progressive and technical band with very long songs and instrumental breaks.  The technical style and sound of Dream Theater broke through in the early 1990’s leading to Portnoy’s first award in 1994 as Best Up and Coming Talent.  Since then, MP has won 30 musical awards and was the second youngest to be inducted into Modern Drummer’s Hall of Fame at the age of thirty-seven.  One of Portnoy’s all time heroes and great influences, Neil Peart; drummer of Rush, holds the title of the youngest to be inducted in 1983.  It seems as though Dream Theater carried the torch of progressive metal and brought its sound into a new generation.  Although this progressive and technical instrumental sound of music is still more underground, it definitely has a place of its own in the world of music.     

                                                         
The influence Portnoy has on his children and the fans he has touched worldwide beats louder than the drums he performs on.  The methodical rhythm of his musical career runs deep in the hearts of those who love him throughout the world.  Despite the fact that Portnoy has spent a majority of his time in studios and on tour, his influence still has seeped into the lives of his children.  Mike says that some of his, “proudest moments in the last few years weren’t even things I were doing or that were part of my career.  It was watching Max do what he does and his dreams coming true.  Now he is getting to make records and go on tour.  I couldn’t be any prouder.”  Mike’s son Max is following in his father’s footsteps.  He has watched his father all his life and wanted to pursue the same career.  Mike had a share in producing his son’s band, Next To None’s first album two years ago and states that “I got to share in that experience which made it very special.”  Mike looked to the sky and said, “I have won every award a drummer can win but nothing compares to the moment in 2015 when Rhythm magazine awarded Max Best New Drummer.  Winning that award blew away anything I ever won.”

    
 Musicians are artists who speak a message in many ways.  Their tune, their beat, their lyrics, even the messages that ink their body share with the world who they are.  I asked Mike about the inspirations of the beautiful artwork displayed all over his body.  Each piece had a story.  Each piece was his song.   
“My body is a map of not only my musical career but my life.”  Portnoy started inking his body when he was twenty-one years old.  His first dozen tattoos were all music related from his very first album cover on his left shoulder to his favorite bands which include the Beatles, The Who, and Led Zeplin on his right leg as well as those he worked with throughout his career.  Music is not the only thing Mike has painted on his body.  He is a lover of animals and everyone of his pets have been welcomed into his family.  Each one of the drummer's dogs are placed in close proximity of each other on his left calf.  Of his three dogs, one still remains.  While Portnoy was celebrating his 50^th birthday bash and performing on Yes’s Cruise to the Edge, his beloved Maggie passed away.  On his back he has the baby footprints of both his children from the day they were born, who are now 18 and 20, a ball and chain tattoo with his wedding date representing his connection with his wife, Marlene of 27 years.  In the center of his back he has a commemoration of his late parents.  He claims he is never alone, “I have them with me while I am on tour.” 

Portnoy not only had his share of grief and tragedy, especially with the loss of his mother in a plane crash as a young man but experienced demons of his own.  After a battle with alcoholism, the iconic drummer put down his last drink in April of 2000 and on his 5 year sobriety date he had the recovery triangle tattooed on his right hand.  While in the midst of his addiction, two doctors told him on the same day that he would not make 40 unless he changed his ways.  It has been over 17 years since Mike picked up a drink and he says, “There is so much I am grateful for.  I have this amazing career and life.  What more could I ask for."

                                                    

During his early sobriety, in 2001, MP wrote a series of twelve step songs and music than spanned over 5 albums and 8 years to complete.  He candidly speaks about how this was a healing process for him yet he never got to perform them live until 2017 on a cruise ship out to sea. While on a Cruise with Yes and Kansas, Portnoy performed two concerts that spanned his whole career which he said was "amazing on two levels,"  to finally perform the Twelve Step Suite in its entirety and how it was an “emotional experience revisiting Dream Theater material for the first time in six years.”  Since the recording of his twelve step albums, hundreds of fans have told him how his songs have helped point them in their journey to recovery.  In 2013, Mike wrote a song entitled, “You Saved Me” with the Winery Dogs, dedicated to his wife for her unconditional love and support. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nk5EQ2KEWo He is grateful for Marlene’s support and says his “family is above all, the most important priority.  People come and go but family is forever.”

When I asked Mike if he could do it all over again, what would he change, the musician smiled at me, lifted his arm and bent his elbow, showing me the words inked on the underside of his forearm, No Regrets.  “ I don’t regret a single thing even the decisions that were difficult… It hasn’t been perfect, it hasn’t been easy but it’s all part of my story.”  While facing issues with addiction, balancing family life, and pursing a career of his dreams, the energetic drummer claims without shame, the things in his life have led him to where he is today despite the challenges he faced to get there.    

                                                                           

 “Drums are my tool.  I made a career with the drums.  But in all my bands, my role goes beyond the drums.  I am a writer, producer, video director, oversee websites, fan clubs, and merchandise.  In the 40 years of playing drums, I have made a name for myself but there is more to being in a band than playing your instrument."

MP’s musical taste goes beyond the huge drum kit he sits behind, “The key to a musician is an open mind to explore new styles.”  After 25 years with Dream Theater, Portnoy left the band in 2010. “It was a very difficult decision”, but in the last 6 years, the drummer has proven his musical diversity and talent.  

                                                                                                      

No matter who you are, where you come from, what you look like, Mike Portnoy has shown the world that anyone can overcome grief, tragedy, hopelessness, pain, and live a life in the midst of their dreams. “Anyone who knows me, knows I am a normal guy, with a blue beard.”

 Whether letting it all out in performing on stage or spending time with his family and friends, MP has shared his life and musical talent while remaining true to himself and has cleared a path for the next generation of music, his family, and humanity.  “The part of writing lyrics that I love is the part of sharing a piece of your life.”  The artist then voices, “If it all ended today, I would be happy and satisfied that I left my mark and created a great path for my children to follow.”

Portnoy just returned from touring in Europe, however, keep your ears and eyes open for the beat of the drumming legend and the talented musicians he will be touring alongside with, such as Neal Morse Band.  Next month, Portnoy will be touring in South America and then returning for an American tour in the summer. For the remainder of the year MP will be performing his Twelve Step Suite during Shattered Fortress events that has rocked the lives of many and set the foundation of his sobriety.   Dream Theater - This Dying Soul (with lyrics) - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK2R6RNwHDY

                       Allow your soul to be touched.  Feel the beat and dance to the music.