Mike Portnoy , drummer for Dream Theater , is mourning the death of his sister, Samantha Leone Cattaneo , who passed away on October 29th due to cancer.
Portnoy learned of his sister's passing minutes before the Dream Theater show began. The drummer spoke out on his social media shortly after the performance ended ( via Blabbermouth ):
“Tonight in Zagreb was one of the hardest shows I’ve ever had to play. 30 minutes before going on stage, I received a call from my brother that my beloved sister, Samantha Leone Cattaneo, had passed away.”
"She had been battling cancer since the beginning of the year, and in recent days her condition worsened… these have been very devastating days for me and my family knowing that the inevitable was coming."
James LaBrie and John Petrucci paid a beautiful tribute to Mike Portnoy's sister.
"As difficult as it was, the show went on and James LaBrie dedicated 'The Spirit Carries On' to her. This photo is from today… those lights pointing upwards were for Sam… I cried like a baby and John Petrucci sat next to me at the drum kit during the final solo, which meant a lot to me."
“My sister has always been one of Dream Theater’s biggest fans and supporters, and us reuniting meant so much to her. She so wanted to be at the opening show of the tour in London, but her health had deteriorated so quickly that it was impossible for her to travel. She told me she saw some videos of the London show, and I knew that the footage of the performance made her happy.”
“I will be thinking of her every night on stage throughout this tour when we play “The Spirit Carries On,” knowing that she can now attend every show, every night, everywhere.”
"I love you, sister"
Dream Theater returns to Brazil in December with shows scheduled in Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Curitiba, and Porto Alegre. Information about tickets and VIP packages can be found on the official Dream Theater and the Liberation MC .
Check out Dream Theater performing “The Spirit Carries On,” dedicated to Samantha Cattaneo:
