In a poignant display of professionalism and emotional strength, renowned drummer Mike Portnoy took to the stage with Dream Theater on Tuesday night, mere hours after receiving news of his sister Samantha's death.
The Zagreb, Croatia show on October 29 became an unexpected tribute to Portnoy's late sister. Just 30 minutes before the performance, Portnoy learned of Samantha's passing following her battle with cancer.
Despite the devastating news, Portnoy made the difficult decision to proceed with the show. The band honored Samantha with a heartfelt rendition of "The Spirit Carries On," a song that took on new meaning under the circumstances.
Before the performance, lead singer James LaBrie addressed the audience, sharing the somber news and asking for their participation in honoring Samantha. The crowd responded by illuminating the venue with their phone lights and joining in the emotional sing-along.
Portnoy, visibly moved, made a prayer gesture before starting the song and held his own phone aloft during the performance. The drummer later described it as "one of the hardest shows I've ever had to play" in a heartfelt social media post.
In his message, Portnoy shared that his sister had been a longtime supporter of Dream Theater and was particularly excited about his recent reunion with the band. He expressed that while she couldn't attend their London show due to her declining health, she had watched online videos of their performances from her hospital bed.
The drummer concluded his post with a touching sentiment, stating that he would think of his sister during every performance of "The Spirit Carries On" on their tour, knowing that "she now gets to watch every show, every night, everywhere."
This powerful demonstration of resilience in the face of personal tragedy showcases the healing power of music and the strong bond between performers and their audience.