Dream Theater played a live show shortly after drummer Mike Portnoy found out that his sister had died earlier this week, and paid tribute to her on stage.
The progressive metal band performed at the Arena Zagreb in Zagreb, Croatia on Tuesday (October 29) as part of their current 40th anniversary UK and European tour – which began in London earlier this month.
Portnoy returned to the group’s line-up after a 14-year absence for the celebratory gigs, having departed in 2010.
Following the concert, the musician said in an emotional post on Facebook that his sister had passed away – and that he had learned of her passing just before he took to the stage.
“Tonight in Zagreb Croatia was one of the hardest shows I’ve ever had to play,” Portnoy’s message began. “About 30 minutes before showtime, I received a call from my brother that my loving sister Samantha Leone Cattaneo had just passed away.
“My sister had been battling cancer all year and the last few days she took a turn for the worse… it’s been a devastating couple of days for me and my family knowing the inevitable was coming.”
He continued: “As hard as it was, tonight’s show went on and James [LaBrie, frontman] dedicated ‘The Spirit Carries On’ to her… this picture is from tonight… those lights in the air were for Sam… I wept like a baby the entire time. (John [Myung, bassist] even came and sat beside me at my kit for the ending solo which meant so much to me…).”
Portnoy went on to call his late sister “one of DT’s biggest fans & supporters”, adding that their reunion had “meant sooooooo much to her”.
“She wanted so badly to be in London but her health had declined so quickly that it was impossible for her to travel,” he explained. “But she told me she watched some videos of the show online in the hospital and I know how happy it made her.
“I will be thinking of her each and every night on stage throughout this tour when we play ‘The Spirit Carries On’ knowing that she now gets to watch every show, every night, everywhere. I love you Sis.”
You can see the post above.
In a joint statement on Dream Theater’s official social media, the band wrote: “Tonight’s show in Zagreb Croatia was dedicated to @MikePortnoy’s sister Samantha Leone Cattaneo who passed away shortly before showtime.
“Sam was one of DT’s biggest supporters and the whole band and organization send their condolences to MP’s entire family.”
To introduce a poignant rendition of ‘The Spirit Carries On’, LaBrie told the audience: “This song has so much meaning, for each and every one of us. Especially tonight. Mike Portnoy’s sister, just a few hours ago, passed away… Samantha.
“So we’re gonna ask each and every one of you to sing this with all your heart and soul. We’re gonna sing it for Samantha up in heaven, with her other dearly departed. This is for Samantha, Mike’s sister. Let’s do this right – are you with us?”
The vocalist then asked the crowd to shine the torches on their phones as a mark of respect. Watch a fan-shot video of the special performance here:
Dream Theater’s current 40th anniversary tour is set to continue throughout November before the group head to Mexico City and South America in December, ahead of a North American leg early next year.
They’ll play in Budapest, Hungary tomorrow night (November 1), with further stops in Europe scheduled for summer 2025.
Upon releasing new single ‘Night Terror’ earlier this month, Dream Theater announced their 16th studio album ‘Parasomnia’ – which is due for release on February 7. It’ll mark their first record with founding member Portnoy since 2009’s ‘Dark Clouds & Silver Linings’.
In a statement, the band said the forthcoming LP “marks the beginning of a special new chapter for us as bandmates and as brothers”, adding: “This album represents not just our growth as musicians but also the journey we’ve embarked on together of the last four decades.”
Portnoy had previously told fans that Dream Theater were “blown away” with the new music they had created so far, teasing: “We cannot wait for you all to hear this… but patience, all will be revealed in due time…”
Later, the drummer shared further details about what we could expect from the album. “There’s a certain style that the five of us have when we write together,” he explained.
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