Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy played one of the “hardest shows” of his life on Tuesday (October 29th) in Zagreb, Croatia.
Just a half hour before Dream Theater took the stage, Portnoy learned of the death of his sister, Samantha Leone Cattaneo, who passed away earlier that day after a battle with cancer.
Get Dream Theater Tickets Here
Portnoy powered through and still played the concert while in mourning, though it was obviously an intensely emotional set for the drummer. During the encore, frontman James LaBrie addressed the crowd to dedicate the song “Act II: Scene Eight: The Spirit Carries On” to Samantha, and guitarist John Petrucci sat next to Portnoy during the ending solo (watch below).
Following the concert, Portnoy shared the following statement on Facebook:
“Tonight in Zagreb Croatia was one of the hardest shows I’ve ever had to play. 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…
As hard as it was, tonight’s show went on and James 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 even came and sat beside me at my kit for the ending solo which meant so much to me…)
My sister was always one of DT’s biggest fans & supporters and us reuniting meant sooooooo much to her. She wanted so badly to be in London [at the opening show of the tour] but her health had declined so quickly that it was impossible for her to travel. 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.”
Dream Theater are currently in the midst of the European leg of their 2024 40th anniversary tour dates — the band’s first trek with Portnoy behind the kit since he rejoined the band. Next year, Dream Theater will embark on the North American leg of the tour (get tickets here).
We send our condolences to Portnoy and his family at this time. Below you can watch fan footage of LaBrie dedicating “The Spirit Carries On” to the drummer’s sister.