Andrea
Getting the recognition of the best drummer is not an easy task. It requires hard work, perseverance, and focus. These three values made Mike Portnoy turn into the best drummer of all time. Mike became the orchestral progressive metal drummer with sheer strength and virtuosity. Michael Stephen Portnoy is an American songwriter and musician born on 20 April 1967 in Long Beach, New York City, USA.
He is married to Marlene Portnoy, and they live in Upper Saucon Township with their children. Mike is currently working with Neal Morse Band and other small groups that include The Winery Dogs, Metal Allegiance, Sons of Apollo, Flying colors, Liquid Tension Experiment Transatlantic. He is the co-founder of Dream Theater and Progressive metal.
However, Portnoy left Dream Theater in 2010 after 25 good years of action, and Mike Mangani took his place. Since he departed from the Dream Theater, he has formed several other bands and projects that include Flying Colors, Adrenaline Mob, and Sons of Apollo, among others.
Portnoy made his way into the music industry with his father’s help, a DJ at a local radio station. Mike had access to his father’s music collection, which made him develop a love for music and appreciate music. Portnoy developed some love for bands at a tender age, and he loved bands such as Queen, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Rush, and the Beatles. Portnoy took some music theory classes in high school, which immensely helped him in his career.
However, he claims to be a self-taught drummer, and he played in several local bands. After receiving, a scholarship to join Berklee College of Music in Boston, he was forced to leave his high school band known as Inner Sanctum. However, while in college, he joined hands with John Myung and John Petrucci and formed a band known as ‘Majesty.’ They later changed the band’s name to Dream Theater, but they left Berklee soon after.
Portnoy showcased his technical skills while in Dream Theater, which made him win over 30 awards courtesy of the Modern Drummer magazine. Mike co-produced about six Dream Theater albums with the guitarist John Petrucci’s help, and he was named one of the primary songwriters at that time. At the age of 37, he was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame, making him the second-youngest person to join the group.
In 2010, he had to replace his departed friend Jimmy in the Avenged Sevenfold band after Jimmy’s death during the band’s fifth album production. However, after completing Jimmy’s work, Portnoy left the Avenged Sevenfold band and the Dream Theater Band. Mike Mangani replaced him after his success in the auditions held by the band.
Portnoy is famous for several projects that he has done. His success was also showcased after founding the Liquid Tension Experiment, an instrumental progressive rock band. While in the band, he worked with his former partner at the Dream Theater, John Petrucci. He has formed many bands that are still outstanding at the moment. His great drumming and music will always be remembered by his fans all over the globe.
