Toto bassist Mike Porcaro dies from ALS aged 59

By Julie Moult for MailOnline

Published: 16:19 EST, 15 March 2015 | Updated: 17:40 EST, 15 March 2015

The bassist with 1980s soft rock band Toto died on Saturday after a long battle with ALS.

Mike Porcaro succumbed to the degenerative motor neuron disease surrounded by his family at home in Los Angeles, TMZ reported.

The musician found fame after joining the band in 1983 and had hits with songs including Africa and Rosanna. 

Sad: Mike Porcaro died surrounded by his family on Saturday after a long battle with ALS 

Sad: Mike Porcaro died surrounded by his family on Saturday after a long battle with ALS 

Mike's brother and band mate Steve announced the sad news on Facebook.

He wrote: 'Our brother Mike passed away peacefully in his sleep at 12:04 AM last night at home surrounded by his family. Rest in peace, my brother.' 

The talented bassist was forced to quit the best-selling band after he was diagnosed with the disease - also known as Lou Gehrigs Disease - in 2007. 

His first symptoms included numbness in the fingers that hindered his playing ability and by 2012 he was confined to a wheelchair.

Heyday: Mike (pictured far left) with his Toto band mates in May 2006 in Singapore

Heyday: Mike (pictured far left) with his Toto band mates in May 2006 in Singapore

His death came just days after the passing of Still Alice writer-director Richard Glatzer who also suffered from ALS. He was 63.

He undertook the movie about Alzheimer's Disease - which won Julianne Moore an Oscar -shortly after his diagnosis. 

According to the Associated Press, during the 23-day shoot, he communicated with one finger using a text-to-speech app on his iPad. 

By the time of the press tour for the film in late 2014, Dr. Glatzer was able to communicate only by typing on the device with his big toe.

Unable to attend the awards ceremony on Feb. 22, Dr. Glatzer watched from a hospital, where he had been taken two days prior for respiratory problems. 

Another victim:  Still Alice writer-director Richard Glatzer who also suffered from ALS and died last week

Another victim:  Still Alice writer-director Richard Glatzer who also suffered from ALS and died last week

 

 


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