 Mike Portnoy leaves Dream Theater |
jamiz
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| Mike Portnoy leaves Dream Theater |
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Official Dream Theater Press Release:
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DREAM THEATER
Press Release
To all of our loyal fans and friends: It is with
profound sadness — regret — we announce that Mike
Portnoy, our lifelong drummer and friend, has
decided to leave Dream Theater. Mike’s stature in
the band has meant the world to all of us
professionally, musically, and personally over the
years. There is no dispute: Mike has been a major
force within this band.
While it is true that Mike is choosing to pursue other
ventures and challenges, we can assure you
that Dream Theater will continue to move forward
with the same intensity — and in the same musical
tradition — that you have all helped make so
successful, and which is truly gratifying to us.
Fans and friends: File this episode under “Black
Clouds and Silver Linings.”As planned, we begin
recording our newest album in January 2011, and
we’ll follow that with a full-on world tour. “The Spirit
Carries On.”
All of us in Dream Theater wholeheartedly wish Mike
the best on his musical journey. We have had a long
and meaningful career together. It is our true hope
that he finds all he is looking for, and that he
achieves the happiness he deserves. He will be
missed. |
From Facebook:
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Wednesday September 8th 2010
I am about to write something I never imagined I'd ever write:
After 25 years, I have decided to leave Dream Theater....the band I founded, led and truly loved for a quarter of a century.
To many people this will come as a complete shock, and will also likely be misunderstood by some, but please believe me that it is not a hasty decision...it is something I have struggled with for the last year or so....
After having had such amazing experiences playing with Hail, Transatlantic and Avenged Sevenfold this past year, I have sadly come to the conclusion that I have recently had more fun and better personal relations with these other projects than I have for a while now in Dream Theater...
Please don't misinterpret me, I love the DT guys dearly and have a long history, friendship and bond that runs incredibly deep with them...it's just that I think we are in serious need of a little break...
Dream Theater was always my baby...and I nurtured that baby every single day and waking moment of my life since 1985...24/7, 365...never taking time off from DT's never-ending responsibilites (even when the band was "off" between cycles)...working overtime and way beyond the call of duty that most sane people ever would do for a band...
But I've come to the conclusion that the DT machine was starting to burn me out...and I really needed a break from the band in order to save my relationship with the other members and keep my DT spirit hungry and inspired.
We have been on an endless write/record/tour cycle for almost 20 years now (of which I have overseen EVERY aspect without a break) and while a few months apart from each other here & there over the years has been much needed and helpful, I honestly hoped the band could simply agree with me to taking a bit of a "hiatus" to recharge our batteries and "save me from ourselves"...
Sadly, in discussing this with the guys, they determined they do not share my feelings and have decided to continue without me rather than take a breather...I even offered to do some occasional work throughout 2011 against my initial wishes, but it was not to be...
While it truly hurts for me to even think of a Dream Theater without Mike Portnoy (hell, my father named the band!!), I do not want to stand in their way...so I have decided to sacrifice myself and simply leave the band so as to not hold them back against their wishes....
Strangely enough, I just read an interview that I recently did that asked me about the future of DT and I talked about "always following your heart and being true to yourself"...sadly I must say that at this particular moment, my heart is not with Dream Theater...and I would simply be "going through the motions", and would honestly NOT be true to myself if I stayed for the sake of obligation without taking the break I felt I needed.
I wish the guys the best and hope the music and legacy we created together is enjoyed by fans for decades to come...I am proud of every album we made, every song we wrote and every show we played....
I'm sorry to all the disappointed DT fans around the world...I really tried to salvage the situation and make it work...I honestly just wanted a break (not a split)...but happiness cannot be forced, it needs to come from within....
You DT fans are the greatest fans in the world and as you all know, I have always busted my ass for you guys and I hope that you will stay with me on my future musical journey, wherever it may lead me....(and as you all know my work ethic, there will surely be no shortage of future MP projects!)
Sadly...
Your fearless ex-leader and drummer,
MP |
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09.09.2010 07:56 |
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Livestrong 
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| RE: Mike Portnoy leaves Dream Theater |
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Fuck me dead 
I have never expected that. But I understand his decision, this guy is a fucking awesome artist and respectable dude.
I just watched the Liquid Tension Experiment a couple of days ago an DVD, one of his side projects, where you can see, what a great drummer he is.
Bless him, whatever he's up to these days, he will deliver some fine music for us 
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09.09.2010 10:52 |
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metalandi
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Posts: 4,154
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Yeah, i totally didn't see this coming. I don't know if i wanna see dream theater without MP though, and i'm also not sure if they actually would last for longer than a year, without him. He is not only the drummer, he was the spiritual leader and brain of the band. It'd be the same if lars left metallica....it just won't be the same again.
i added the official DT press release which is out now to the first post.
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09.09.2010 11:34 |
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metalandi
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MP further posts:
"I BEG of the fans to please NOT hold A7X responsible for MY decision...they are just as shocked as you guys..I had been contemplating this and desiring a "break" (not split) as long ago as last year...everything else is fully explained in the press release...thank you all for your support and understanding...this is the hardest thing I've ever done... : ("
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"Music should just be SHARED" (Joss Stone)
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09.09.2010 14:41 |
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metalandi
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11.09.2010 15:07 |
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metalandi
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James LaBrie cut his hair 
He posted this on twitter:
"Hey All Yes I cut my hair. It feels great, and I can still rock without it.
"
Here's a pic:
http://yfrog.com/m918511520j
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"Music should just be SHARED" (Joss Stone)
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25.09.2010 13:00 |
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Livestrong
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So are you twittering Andi?
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'Tallica is life, the rest is just details!
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26.09.2010 16:46 |
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metalandi
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nah, just got that from a john petrucci forum
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"Music should just be SHARED" (Joss Stone)
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26.09.2010 16:47 |
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Livestrong
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Ah that's why. I even don't know exactly what's this twittering is all about
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'Tallica is life, the rest is just details!
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26.09.2010 16:49 |
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metalandi
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me neither
i think it's just writing short messages about what is on your mind right now, or what you're up to and stuff...don't know what's that all about
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"Music should just be SHARED" (Joss Stone)
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26.09.2010 17:34 |
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