Skip to content
Support Us

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Mike Porcaro is back left. Toto via Facebook

Toto's bass player "now at peace" after dying in his sleep

He had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2007.

MIKE PORCARO, BASSIST in the band Toto – which brought us the hits Rosanna and Africa – has died.

The 59-year-old had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (also known as ALS and Lou Gehrig’s disease) in 2007.

He stopped playing with the band that year due to MND symptoms.

The band broke up in 2008, but reformed in 2010 and went on tour to raise money for Porcaro.

His bandmate Steve Lukather said on Facebook:

toto rip Facebook Facebook

The band shared a similar post on their Facebook page. The BBC reports that Porcaro died in his sleep.

toto Facebook Facebook

Let’s take a moment to remember Mike Porcaro with this classic Toto track:

TotoVEVO / YouTube

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
10 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eoin Sheehy
    Favourite Eoin Sheehy
    Report
    Oct 7th 2011, 10:16 PM

    I’m glad it was a private sort of Funeral especially with the Westboro Baptist Church intending to picket his funeral, idiots.

    143
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gary power
    Favourite gary power
    Report
    Oct 7th 2011, 10:35 PM

    God there not are they ….

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Maughan
    Favourite Kevin Maughan
    Report
    Oct 7th 2011, 11:56 PM

    That the church led by Fred Phelps?!

    That prick pickets the funerals of US troops coming back from Iraq with placards that read "GOD IS GLAD YOUR SON IS DEAD!"

    Sick Bastards.

    81
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Steve Herron
    Favourite Steve Herron
    Report
    Oct 8th 2011, 12:10 PM

    The irony being that Phelp’s wife made the announcement that they would picket the funeral via Twitter for iPhone.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Toureag
    Favourite Toureag
    Report
    Oct 7th 2011, 9:51 PM

    Steve, safe journey home to iheaven…..

    133
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Higgins
    Favourite David Higgins
    Report
    Oct 7th 2011, 9:35 PM

    That cover of the New Yorker is so powerful and so true!

    114
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mart_n
    Favourite mart_n
    Report
    Oct 7th 2011, 9:52 PM
    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noddy Mooney
    Favourite Noddy Mooney
    Report
    Oct 8th 2011, 8:34 AM

    Powerful maybe, but true? So you’ve met St. Peter and he was using an ipad. Why weren’t you allowed in?

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alex simon
    Favourite Alex simon
    Report
    Oct 7th 2011, 10:31 PM

    Will miss u steve RIP. Apple shouls change the name of iphone 4s to 4SJ!!!

    Loved the art

    75
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Graham Keogh
    Favourite Graham Keogh
    Report
    Oct 8th 2011, 12:36 AM

    Thats why it was called the 4S. 4 Steve.

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Graham Keogh
    Favourite Graham Keogh
    Report
    Oct 8th 2011, 12:39 AM

    Actually I’m just wondering what sort of sick people read this site. Someone posts wishing steve well and he gets 10 thumbs down. WTF is wrong with some people?

    68
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute grass Eye
    Favourite grass Eye
    Report
    Oct 8th 2011, 2:13 AM

    Can’t imagine the funeral was too flash

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Breslin
    Favourite Alan Breslin
    Report
    Oct 8th 2011, 1:05 AM

    Graham….. They are on android!!!

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe McDermott
    Favourite Joe McDermott
    Report
    Oct 8th 2011, 1:23 PM

    iSad

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pete Gibson
    Favourite Pete Gibson
    Report
    Oct 8th 2011, 8:49 AM

    Graham.I always give a thumbs down to people with sloppy spelling.
    In your case no capital S in Steve.
    The perfectionist Steve Jobs would have approved.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gordon Bernard
    Favourite Gordon Bernard
    Report
    Oct 8th 2011, 9:11 AM

    Pete you’re an idiot. So if someone makes a point you agree with, you’ll thumbs down it for incorrect spelling? Genius. By the way, you should have had a space between a full stop and the next word. Idiot.

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Craig Walters
    Favourite Craig Walters
    Report
    Oct 8th 2011, 9:39 AM

    That is so anal god I hope yr not a teacher wud hate mi kidz to be in yr class

    … See what I did there :p

    29
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Denny
    Favourite Patrick Denny
    Report
    Oct 8th 2011, 11:58 AM

    He wouldn’t have approved of your punctuation however.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Reada Quinn
    Favourite Reada Quinn
    Report
    Oct 8th 2011, 3:11 PM

    Peter. There should be a space after a full stop

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute neuromancer
    Favourite neuromancer
    Report
    Oct 8th 2011, 2:43 PM

    iDidnt even know the guy.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Silent P
    Favourite Silent P
    Report
    Oct 8th 2011, 12:38 AM

    Can I take credit i.e. a few million, for naming Apples next iPhone the iPhone Steve?

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dee Ferry Kennedy
    Favourite Dee Ferry Kennedy
    Report
    Oct 8th 2011, 8:38 AM

    I think they did that with iPhone 4s

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sinead O'Kelly
    Favourite Sinead O'Kelly
    Report
    Oct 8th 2011, 10:37 AM

    Pete you really should find something more productive to do with your time rather than correct the worlds spelling, like invent something better than the iPhone.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rónán Ó Conchúir
    Favourite Rónán Ó Conchúir
    Report
    Oct 8th 2011, 10:27 AM

    Will he be buried in an i-coffin?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sure2bsure
    Favourite sure2bsure
    Report
    Oct 8th 2011, 10:43 AM

    There’s only so many jokes you can make….

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Roman RomanOwski
    Favourite Roman RomanOwski
    Report
    Oct 8th 2011, 9:42 PM

    R.I.P.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lena Mackey
    Favourite Lena Mackey
    Report
    Oct 9th 2011, 12:13 PM

    The death of Apple co founder and former CEO Steve Jobs.Marks the passing of an extraordinary inventor.he was hailed as a creative genius.on a par with,Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison.he had such a Creative mind,and a great Inspreation to the world he may be gone,but he’ll never be forgotten. R.I.P

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe McDermott
    Favourite Joe McDermott
    Report
    Oct 8th 2011, 1:25 PM
    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.