L1zz1e Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 Hi, this might seem random... I was wondering if anyone knew what was up with Mike Porcaro (bass Toto) I met Simon Phillips a few days ago and asked him how Mike was getting on with his "hand injury" and he said he wasnt good... Hes the guy that made me pick up the instrument in the first place so i was just concerned over his wellbeing. If anyone can shed some light then that would be cool! Im sure everyone here will join me in sending Mike the good vibes. Lx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveK Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 A couple of months back I asked Luke the same question, he told me that Mike was in a fairly bad way and was pretty much unable to venture out of his front door or pick up his bass. Very sad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 Wow, that sounds like a hell of a "hand injury"... what's the real gen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 Oh this sounds tragic, can any one fill us in on whats happened? Mike comes across as such a genuine and lovely guy in interviews. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L1zz1e Posted December 4, 2008 Author Share Posted December 4, 2008 [quote name='SteveK' post='345292' date='Dec 4 2008, 12:43 PM']A couple of months back I asked Luke the same question, he told me that Mike was in a fairly bad way and was pretty much unable to venture out of his front door or pick up his bass. Very sad![/quote] This seems to be exactly what Simon said.. I could understand why he couldnt make the tour if its down to a hand injury, but to not be able to leave the house makes it a pretty hardcore hand injury.. Im sure Mike will fill us in in time but still, as he is the guy who inspired me, I want him to be ok!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveK Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 [quote]what's the real gen?[/quote] Having worked a lot with Toto over the years - and more recently with Lukes band - I've got to know them [i]fairly[/i] well, and I know how protective they are of their "brothers", so it's unlikely that you'll get "the real gen"...at least from them. Even after many Tequilas and Jagermeisters Luke didn't say much more than I posted above - he was quite obviously very sad and upset about MP's plight. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 When I saw them at the Apollo in Feb 07 I noticed that Mike P looked very awkward playing and a few peopel there were discussing it. It actually looked like he was struggling with his fretting hand. So he looked uncomfortable back then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 [quote name='SteveK' post='345360' date='Dec 4 2008, 01:29 PM']Even after many Tequilas and Jagermeisters Luke didn't say much more than I posted above - he was quite obviously very sad and upset about MP's plight.[/quote] I hope its not a permanent condition but if he's isolating himself it sounds like he's maybe dealing with depression too. I hope it doesn't last too long for him, I'm sure there would be loads of support out there for him in the industry when he feels ready. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L1zz1e Posted December 4, 2008 Author Share Posted December 4, 2008 Perhaps we should send a get well soon ecard from all of us on Basschat? SteveK would you be able to forward it to someone in the know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 Mike is also the reason I picked up bass, so that is enough to keep him indoors! Any info would be great - as for his awkward playing in the Apollo in Feb, I think Mike looks fairly awkward when playing anyway - his trademark 'sitting on the bog' stance looks pretty uncomfortable to me but good god can he throw those basslines about. He is definitely my fave 5 string player, his use of the B is just right. An e-card sound like a cool idea... Cheers ped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L1zz1e Posted December 4, 2008 Author Share Posted December 4, 2008 [quote name='ped' post='345541' date='Dec 4 2008, 03:30 PM']Mike is also the reason I picked up bass, so that is enough to keep him indoors! Any info would be great - as for his awkward playing in the Apollo in Feb, I think Mike looks fairly awkward when playing anyway - his trademark 'sitting on the bog' stance looks pretty uncomfortable to me but good god can he throw those basslines about. He is definitely my fave 5 string player, his use of the B is just right. An e-card sound like a cool idea... Cheers ped[/quote] I couldnt agree more! Whadda guy Lets sort out an ecard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 yeah I think thats a great idea. I wonder what he might make of a card signed "on behalf of the four and a half thousand members of Basschat"...? We might have to be respectful of his privacy too though. Is there any way of knowing if something like this would be welcomed by him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveK Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 (edited) Apologies for the delay in responding - had to take my 2 & 5 year olds to see Santa I also wanted to consider the e-card idea. I don't have Mike P's email address, so unfortunately, it would rely on a friend of a friend and I kinda feel uneasy about doing it. But, there is nothing stopping anyone sending their best wishes via his forum: [url="http://www.totonetwork.com/forum/15"]MP's forum[/url] Or dropping him an email: [url="http://www.totonetwork.com/contact"]Toto contact[/url] If I think of anything else I'll post here. Steve Edited December 4, 2008 by SteveK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luc Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 bad news for Mike Former members of Toto are reforming for a brief tour this summer in Europe to honor their brother Mike Porcaro who is living with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). The line-up will include David Paich, Steve Lukather, Steve Porcaro, Simon Phillips, Joseph Williams and special guest, Nathan East. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Academy Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 The Porcaros haven't had much luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 [quote name='Pete Academy' post='896682' date='Jul 16 2010, 04:25 PM']The Porcaros haven't had much luck.[/quote] Ain't that the truth. I read on Talkbass that Mike has ALS [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=633206"]http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=633206[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 Mike is still capable of smiling, according to Luke. That doesn't say much for the rest of his body functions. It's such an tragedy. Lee Sklar was originally approached by Luke to fill the bass chair but he was already booked for the US tour with James Taylor. So Luke spoke to Nathan East instead - hence the special guest thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHUFC BASS Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 (edited) Thats tragic. A mate of ours died of Motor Neurone disease and personally I cannot think of a more horrible way to go. Poor old Mike, he's a great bass player and the main inspiration for me for picking up a 5 string bass. Edited July 16, 2010 by WHUFC BASS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveK Posted July 17, 2010 Share Posted July 17, 2010 [quote name='Luc' post='896655' date='Jul 16 2010, 03:59 PM']bad news for Mike Former members of Toto are reforming for a brief tour this summer in Europe to honor their brother Mike Porcaro who is living with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). The line-up will include David Paich, Steve Lukather, Steve Porcaro, Simon Phillips, Joseph Williams and special guest, Nathan East. [/quote] They are [i]currently[/i] on the road. Did a couple of shows with them in Austria last week, and have one with them next week in Norway. Luke looks pretty healthy, and is playing well - as usual. I understand that all the profits from the tour will go to Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fender73 Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 I know it's an old thread, but i've just been checking out Mike's playing on youtube and it bought again what a tradegy it is that Mike is no longer playing- an amazing player. Here's hoping he's comfortable and one day will be able to pick up a bass again, or any instrument God Bless Mike P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 From what I've read about Lou Gehrig's disease, the prognosis is not good unfortunately. Its pretty much a death sentence although the progression apparently varies from person to person. Mike's doing really well to have lasted so far, others have gone inside three months. Lets hope he's comfortable and still managing to enjoy life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 [quote name='fender73' timestamp='1327789775' post='1516947'] I know it's an old thread, but i've just been checking out Mike's playing on youtube and it bought again what a tradegy it is that Mike is no longer playing- an amazing player. Here's hoping he's comfortable and one day will be able to pick up a bass again, or any instrument God Bless Mike P. [/quote] Just bee listening to some old Toto CD's, and i to hope he gets to play again. He has a great feel for Music. Garry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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