Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy says he owes it all to Rush

For 40 years, Dream Theater has been one of the biggest progressive rock bands in the world, if not the biggest. The driving force behind their music had been legendary drummer Mike Portnoy, but for more than a decade, he and the band were split. That all changed last year when Mike rejoined the band and they recorded their latest album, 'Parasomnia.' He sat down with Tom Power to talk about reuniting with Dream Theater and why Rush was the whole reason he wanted to play drums in the first place.

Q with Tom Power is a daily conversation with the artists, writers, actors and musicians who define this cultural moment in time. The chat is informal, wide-ranging, playful, and allows the artist to explore their art and the contexts that have shaped them through their career.

#podcast #interview #mikeportnoy

[sielaff]

Hey, Mike mentioned my video! The compilation of all the DINGs!

[klantic]

I've been a DT fan for a really long time (around Images and Words) and a lot of this conversation was unknown to me. So impressive.

[svenriemann]

The professor was wholly responsible for my beginning to becoming a percussionist.
Rush were my biggest influence since 1982.
I am now 58 and stil listening to Caress of Steel farewell to kings and latlely have Hemispheres on repeat.
That stuff never gets old, just timeless and better.

[pete]

Terrific interview.
Thank you, Tom Power.
Almost brought me to tears when Mike spoke of his friendship with Neil Peart.

[DaveONeillDrums]

We all owe everything to Neil, Ged, and Al, no matter where we ended up musically.

[chrislejuez]

Wow, I was at that NY show where Mike was in the audience. Mike got a standing ovation from the crowd. Didn't realize how important that night was to the band. What a moment!

[Roma-dixf]

Not only is Mike a consumate professional in his skills but a totally down to earth transparent person. Thanks for posting this and God bless you Mike! Thanks Tom!!

[Vinylrebel]

I saw them on their Images and words tour, Galactic Cowboys opened. It changed my life…they came again to the same theater and i took my kids, they’re all grown up now. They weren’t even born yet, my wife and i graduated high school, in 1992. I feel like I’ve come full circle with DT and my kids.

[RobertMichaelStewart]

I met Mike once and he told me there would be no him without Neil.... In my humble opinion he's just as good as Neil who I saw 53 times including the final show at the Forum in LA. Huge DT fan!

[wxcferdts]

Great interview in all aspects: guest, interviewer, variety of topics, speaking AND listening AND picking up on relevant things ...

[landonmackenzie]

Awesome interview, my favorite band, and favorite drummer. I caught this interview on the air by mistake, and when I realized what it was, my jaw literally dropped.

Awesome interview

[taxi-yq]

My first introduction to Rush was via late night British TV show Old Grey Whistle Test when the Xanadu 'video' played the show out one evening, this would have been early, mid-seventies and I was absolutely blown away From that moment, to this day I became and still am a huge Rush fan.Thanks to them my horizons were expanded all over the place and I now enjoy a wide range of musical styles, so eternal thanks to Neil, Alex and Geddy.

[kayfray]

Such a great interview! Tom always knows how to chat with guests cause he's genuinely curious not to mention knowledgeable. No ads during their chat, glad there is a CBC!!

[time.]

Tell you what, with Mike's catalogue of stories along with his ability to talk, if/when he retires from playing, he needs to do a podcast.

[alexandereisen]

I owe my love of music to Rush as well. Started listening to Rush when I was 9 years old. Can still remember locking myself into my room for hours and learning to play all of Moving Pictures note for note.

[Heavydrvr]

Love Portnoy. Didn’t know who Tom Power was til I started listening to this. Looks like he’s got quite a lot of pretty interesting interviews. Peart was always my fave, Gavin Harrison up there as well.

[greenpercussion]

Tom, you are a national treasure, please keep doing what you do. Ive listened to thousands of music interviews, and no one drills down to the real person behind the mic like you do. Ive been a big mike portnoy fan for years. Mike did a drumeo video of him playing Pneuma by Tool (the absolute genius of Danny Carey) for the first time hearing it, without the drum track. Mike nailed it in 20 minutes...there is only a handful of drummers that could do that. Worth the watch if you appreciate the techicality of Danny's chops.

[soculese]

Something I’ve always loved about Mike, how he is speaking with the interviewer is how he deals with his fans, down to earth, personable, engaging, and easy to chat with. Just a great guy.

[aPieceOfFish]

Never expected to see my favourite drummer on Q! Thank you!

[Onecrazybird]

Amazing interview - love Mike Portnoy and hearing his perspectives. Well done!