After Rush drummer Neil Peart died, rumors swirled that Mike Portnoy had been asked to join the legendary prog-rock band. Now, the iconic Dream Theater drummer has personally addressed the speculation. Portnoy said that he did not try to force his way into the band. He also called stepping into Peart’s shoes a “sacred role.”
Portnoy did a Q&A with Metal Hammer readers when he was asked about the Rush rumors. Very directly, Portnoy made it clear that he never offered his services to surviving members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, but would consider playing with them if asked, and if the circumstances were right.
“I read Geddy’s book [My Effin’ Life from 2023], and he mentioned about all the drummers kind of offering themselves to them and how much it turned him and Alex off,” said Portnoy.
“I did send my condolences to Geddy and Alex after Neil passed, but I never once tried to throw my hat in the ring for Neil’s gig,” he added. “I realize that’s a sacred role that should only ever be filled if Geddy and Alex choose for it to be so. And sure enough, here we are with them choosing to finally do so, which has been really incredible.”
Metal Hammer then asked whether he would have taken the gig if Lee and Lifeson had offered it to him. “If they hypothetically ever approached me with it, of course, I would have done it with the utmost respect and honour,” replied Portnoy.
“But frankly, I’m kind of relieved they didn’t,” he then admitted. “First of all, filling Neil’s shoes is going to be impossible. If anybody ever thought Mike Mangini [Dream Theater drummer from 2010-2023] filling my shoes was tough, try filling Neil Peart’s shoes!”
“And I came back home to Dream Theater, which is where I belong,” Portnoy added. “So if, hypothetically… If they had approached me with this reunion that they’re doing, it would have put me in an incredibly awkward position because of the timing of it all.”
Joni Mitchell – Chalk Mark in a Rain Storm
Laurie Anderson – Strange Angels
Paula Cole – This Fire
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Beauty
Kate Bush – The Sensual World
David Sylvian & Robert Fripp – The First Day
Paul Simon – Graceland
Paul Simon – The Rhythm of the Saints
Toni Childs – The Woman’s Boat
Talk Talk – Spirit of Eden
Tori Amos – Little Earthquakes
Suzanne Vega – 99.9F°
Fiona Apple – Tidal
Sting – …Nothing Like the Sun
Sarah McLachlan – Fumbling Towards Ecstasy