Originally published in Modern Drummer magazine 494 · February 2021
Mike Portnoy comments (on Modern Drummer online festival)
ArticleMike Portnoy1 min read
Mike Portnoy
(prog-rock great)
I am thrilled that Modern Drummer resurrected the festival in the form of a virtual event. I played the festival twice: once in ‘95 and then again in ‘03. The years I did not play, I went.
I was honored to be part of the tribute to Neil Peart. I remember seeing Rush for the first time at the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island in 1992. It was a religious experience for me and the beginning of my Neil fandom.
In 2006, I actually got to meet my hero. After that, he would invite me to soundcheck. And he would send me his books as they came out. It was such an honor to be a part of his life, and – like all the other amazing drummers on the show – my segment was to thank him in some small way with my performance.