Toto bassist Mike Porcaro dies, aged 59

Mike Porcaro. Pic: Mark Regemann/Wiki Commons

Toto bassist Mike Porcaro has passed away at the age of 59, after a long battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease

ike Porcaro of AOR legends Toto passed away on Sunday morning. The bassist for the Grammy-winning band had been battling a neurological condition called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

The news was confirmed yesterday by Porcaro’s brother Steve, Toto’s keyboardist, on Facebook. He said: “Our brother Mike passed away peacefully in his sleep at 12:04 AM last night at home surrounded by his family. Rest in peace, my brother.”

Toto’s guitarist Steve Lukather also payed tribute on Twitter, saying: “My brother Mike Porcaro is now now at peace. I will miss him more than I could ever put into words. My deepest love to the family. God bless.”

Porcaro joined his brothers Jeff and Steve as an official member of Toto after the departure of original bass player David Hungate in 1982. Toto, who are best known for hits such as Africa, Hold The Line and Rosanna, won a Grammy for best album in 1982 with Toto IV. The tour for that album was Porcaco’s first with the band. Porcaro stopped touring after a decline in health in 2007, before being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2010.

Toto’s next album Toto XIV is due for release on 24 March.

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