“Tonight in Zagreb Croatia was one of the hardest shows I’ve ever had to play,” Portnoy’s message began. “About 30 minutes before showtime, I received a call from my brother that my loving sister Samantha Leone Cattaneo had just passed away.
“My sister had been battling cancer all year and the last few days she took a turn for the worse… it’s been a devastating couple of days for me and my family knowing the inevitable was coming.”
He continued: “As hard as it was, tonight’s show went on and James [LaBrie, frontman] dedicated ‘The Spirit Carries On’ to her… this picture is from tonight… those lights in the air were for Sam… I wept like a baby the entire time. (John [Myung, bassist] even came and sat beside me at my kit for the ending solo which meant so much to me…).”
Portnoy went on to call his late sister “one of DT’s biggest fans & supporters”, adding that their reunion had “meant sooooooo much to her”.
“She wanted so badly to be in London but her health had declined so quickly that it was impossible for her to travel,” he explained. “But she told me she watched some videos of the show online in the hospital and I know how happy it made her.
“I will be thinking of her each and every night on stage throughout this tour when we play ‘The Spirit Carries On’ knowing that she now gets to watch every show, every night, everywhere. I love you Sis.”
You can see the post above.
In a joint statement on Dream Theater’s official social media, the band wrote: “Tonight’s show in Zagreb Croatia was dedicated to @MikePortnoy’s sister Samantha Leone Cattaneo who passed away shortly before showtime.
“Sam was one of DT’s biggest supporters and the whole band and organization send their condolences to MP’s entire family.”