Mike Portnoy Opens Up The Truth Behind Leaving Dream Theater

Mike Portnoy Opens Up The Truth Behind Leaving Dream Theater

In this video, we dive into the real reason why legendary drummer Mike Portnoy left Dream Theater after 25 years. In a revealing new interview with Classic Rock magazine, Portnoy shares how his desire for creative freedom and a broader musical legacy led him to step away from the band he helped build. From collaborating on over 50 albums to learning valuable life lessons from Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, Portnoy opens up about his journey, his gratitude toward fans, and what truly drives him as an artist. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more rock and metal stories, only on MusicMadTV!

[GamingFreakPlays]

But Mike literally said that when he left the band. He proposed hiatus for some period as he wanted to focus on different projects, band refused, so he quit. There are interviews from 2010 where he is stating exactly what's in this video.

[AdamLeon-yfyo]

2019 Mike broke my heart (2010 too). Beginning in 1992, DT became my new Rush. Every album purchased on the release date. I had always driven sometimes 2 hours to see him play, along with the many other bands that he played with. Finally, in 2019, he plays in my backyard of Ventura CA with Flying Colors. After the show, my friend and I went to the outside back of the theater. Also, there were maybe 10 fans, and many were from other countries. We met everyone. Dave LaRue, Casey Armstrong, Steve Morse!!! Neil Morse too. All happy to get a picture, or sign something. I could see Mike only 10 feet away, just inside the theater load in door behind the stage. He knew we were there, he could see us, but he wouldn't come out. Hour and a half goes by. Travis Larson's band opened that night, we met them too, the girl bassist is an absolute sweetheart Jennifer Young. After a few trips in and out, Jennifer finally asks me and my friend, Who are you all waiting for, everyone has left? I told her that we are waiting for Portnoy. She says oh, oh yeah he's upstairs, so she went to tell him. I knew where she meant because I have played there before, and know the layout of that theater, which was why we were at the back stage door. She goes back inside and heads upstairs to tell him. After a few minutes, she comes back and says that she told Mike that we were waiting for him outside. She said that Mike said that we should probably just go home, he's not leaving anytime was floored, she said that you will have to see him another time. I told her that you don't understand. I have been waiting 27 years to meet guess that this is just never going to happen. That was 6 years ago, I have chilled out and forgiven him...I did see the 40th in the Los Angeles Youtube Theater, and will go again in October at the Long Beach Theater this fall. Sorry for the book here, but there are a few things that I have not agreed with in this video post.

[corporatemonkey]

IMHO Portnoy's greatest non Dream Theater project has to be Transatlantic. What talent was assembled for that group! Amazing.

[garysanders]

My favorite side projects from Portnoy are The Winery dogs and Sons of Apollo.

[captainflamson]

He said this same thing fifteen years ago when he left.

[djjazzyjeff]

Sounded a little like a midlife crisis to me, but He made a hell of an impression with Avenged and playing on Nightmare.

[medicman]

He filled in for Avengeds The Rev after he died and assumed he had a new gig with them. He quit DT for what he thought was a permanent job with A7X but they said they had no intention of hiring him as a full on member.

[dagenhudson]

Way to go Mike, take note of the class.🎉

[DrumahAja]

the only one i know, no matter who the New Drummer of Dream Theater is, if you start to play at a band like Dream Theater, you have to be able to play ALL of the songs including Mangini’s era songs.

otherwise we wont see any of them played live anymore

[engelsgarcia]

He search to made his legacy and is done, is a prog drummer most relevant in the actuality history.

[allengarrow]

Thanks for the post! Mikey is a class act, wonderful human being.

[agent_mc]

Hell yes !!! Nightmare was a great album !!!

[johnanthony]

Mikes music with Transatlantic and the Neal Morse band is epic, and I hope he works with them again. Not only is he a great drummer but he’s incredibly animated while he plays, he’s just so into the performance that it’s very engaging, the experience is very personal and entertaining. I don’t feel like I’m watching a rock star, I feel like I’m watching and experiencing the real person Mike is and that’s pretty cool

[troytipton]

The first time I met Portnoy was when DT performed at the Cabaret on their Images & Words tour, and he was really cool. Unfortunately he was pretty unpleasant the 3 other times I had met him after that. I don't know how long ago he had met Lars, who I've never met, but I hope it was after those 3 off-putting occasions. He certainly needed an attitude adjustment. I hope that meeting with Lars has helped him change the way he interacts with his fans these days. Don't hate, this is coming from someone who was a HUGE DT fan. It just happened to be my experience meeting Mike.

[bilrogar]

Dude said he was burnt out from touring then immediately joined avenged 7 fold on tour. What a wein.

[zerohourdiscussionswithjmc]

He had a better mindset after being with Neal Morse. Wish NMB will still be a thing moving forward.

[dewapd]

The best thing he has done, including DT, is the Winery Dogs. One of the greatest bands of the 20th century and beyond!

[myguitardidyermom]

you can only play bland Berkeley-Gradcore for so many years before you lose your mind....it is a bit weird that he moved on to playing bland mallcore as a replacement to that but I guess the paycheck was probably a lot better

[MMVCaisson]

It was a good thing because he got to put out albums with Richie Kotzen.

[gregjones]

Flying Colors self titled debut album.