MIKE PORTNOY: "IT WAS LIKE SEEING YOUR WIFE WITH HER NEW HUSBAND."

The returning drumming legend with prog metal titans Dream Theater tells Rock Candy Magazine about his time away from the band and why it feels right to be back in the fold.

 

“It was a longing to come home, to be with family. The two Johns [Petrucci and Myung] and I started together when we were teenagers, and now here we are creeping up on 60. It goes way deeper than coming back to a band.”

 

The release of the band's sixteenth studio album, ‘Parasomnia’, finds the friends out on the road and taking their peerless brand of razor-sharp melodic metal to their expectant fans. The band had much success with previous drummer Mike Mangini behind the kit, but Mike Portnoy's reappearance has scratched an itch for many die-hard followers. Mike is very aware of the fans and feels the weight of trying to live up to expectations.

 

“We just have to write for ourselves and make ourselves happy. Dream Theater fans are so rabid, and so opinionated, and so passionate that there's no way we can please everybody... I really care about our fans. I've spent my whole career trying to model everything I do for them because I relate to them as much as anybody. The hardest thing for me is to keep an eye on that, but also look away from it and please ourselves first and foremost. There's a balance somewhere, though, and hopefully we're striking it.”

 

You can read our exclusive Mike Portnoy interview, as well as the interviews with all the members of Dream Theater in issue 48 of Rock Candy Magazine, together with in-depth stories and interviews with Ian Gillan, Steve Vai, Pantera and Anthrax's Charlie Benante,Teaze, TKO and more. For more details visit: www.rockcandymag.com

ABOUT ROCK CANDY MAG
Rock Candy Mag is a 100-page, full-colour bi-monthly rock mag, created in the UK. It covers the sights, sounds and smells from the greatest era in hard rock music, the ’70s and ’80s. The brainchild of: respected UK rock journalists Derek Oliver, Howard Johnson and Malcolm Dome – all frontline writers for the legendary Kerrang! magazine in the golden era.

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STEVE VAI AND MIKE PORTNOY TO INDUCT TWISTED SISTER INTO THE METAL HALL OF FAME

Celebrated guitar virtuoso Steve Vai, and legendary drummer Mike Portnoy, will Induct the classic lineup of Rock Icons Twisted Sister into the 2023 Metal Hall of Fame, at the 6th Annual Metal Hall of Fame Charity Gala.

"The most important night in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal," takes place January 26, 2023, at the Canyon Club, Agoura Hills, C.A. It is presented by ROCAVAKA - The Vaka That Rocks!

Both Mike Portnoy and Steve Vai will share their stories of how Twisted Sister influenced them in their early days on the music scene.

Twisted Sister's classic lineup of Dee Snider, Jay Jay French, Eddie Ojeda, Mark Mendoza, and late drummer, A.J Pero, will be Inducted at the ceremony, alongside one of the biggest selling Hard Rock vocalists of all time, Lou Gramm, influential British speed/thrash metal band Raven, and world renowned guitarist Chris Impellitteri,among other Legendary Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Bands. The 6th Annual Metal Hall of Fame Gala will include the World Premier of former Black Sabbath/ Dio drummer Vinny Appice's new band Scream Taker, featuring vocalist Jim Crean (Vinnie Vincent, Carmine Appice) and bassist Tony Franklin (Jimmy Page, David Gilmour).

Additional performances, autograph signings, and meet & greet opportunities will be announced shortly. As always, the event will include surprise artists appearances and an All Star Jam.

The most recent 2021 and 2002 Metal Hall of Fame Gala's and events included scheduled and surprise appearances by Paul Stanley, Eric Singer, Tim “Ripper” Owens, Ross "The Boss" Friedman, Gus G, Onslaught, Frank DiMino, Nigel Glockler, Charlie Benante, Tony Harnell, Voivod, Albert Bouchard of Blue Oyster Cult, Host of SiriusXM Radio Ozzy's Boneyard and Hair Nation Keith Roth, Todd La Torre, Live Nation Executive Joey Vendetta, Bobby Rock, Jeff Scott Soto, and wrestling superstar Chris Jericho, among others.

The 6th Annual Metal Hall of Fame Gala will be hosted by radio/television Icon Eddie Trunk, and co-hosted by entertainment personality Cathy Rankin.

“The Annual 2023 Metal Hall of Fame Gala is going to be an amazing event as always," says Metal Hall of Fame President/CEO Pat Gesualdo." It's a great night for all the Inductees, special guests, and of course all the fans who join us in this great cause. All of the proceeds from our events goes to helping preserve Hard Rock and Heavy Metal for future generations, and our events also bring free music programs to help special needs children in hospitals and community centers."

"Twisted Sister is honored to be recognized by the Metal Hall of Fame, and have our names alongside many of our peers," says Jay Jay French.

*** A special Rocavaka Meet & Greet with DEE SNIDER, Rocavaka's brand ambassador, will take place after the Induction Ceremony where limited edition Dee Snider numbered Rocavaka bottles will be made available for purchase and signing.

6TH ANNUAL METAL HALL OF FAME GALA

JANUARY 26, 2023

Canyon Club,

28912 Roadside Dr,
Agoura Hills, CA, 91301

Tickets:

35.00 Advance / 45.00 at the Door

Pre Order Here:

www.metalhalloffame.org

RED CARPET: 6:15PM

AWARDS GALA: 8:00PM

Proceeds from the Annual Metal Hall of Fame Gala go to the non-profit organization D.A.D. (Drums and Disabilities). D.A.D. brings free music programs and therapy services to help special needs children and wounded veterans in various health facilities and community centers.

About The Metal Hall of Fame

The Metal Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization that enshrines forever, those Iconic musicians, artists, music industry executives who are responsible for making Hard Rock and Heavy Metal music what it is today. Their contribution to the genre is invaluable, and they keep inspiring fans throughout the world, from generation to generation.

The Metal Hall of Fame Annual Celebrity Gala has included many historical hard rock and heavy metal moments. For example, our idea to join with Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne to have former Ozzy drummer Lee Kerslake accept his Platinum Record Awards for "Blizzard of Ozz" and "Diary of A Madman," after 38 years. Having Metallica Induct Megaforce Records founders Jon and Marsha Zazula. Inducting Judas Priest at Wacken Open Air. Inducting members of KISS, Iron Maiden, and Triumph among others for our 5 Year Anniversary Bash. Having Don Airey's surprise Induction for Black Sabbath co-founding member Bill Ward, (especially after not seeing each other since recording Black Sabbath's 1978 "Never Say Day" album). Inducting Anthrax at Heavy Montreal. Having Kathy and Kelle Rhoads Induct their brother Randy Rhoads. Having Slayer's Kerri King's surprise Induction for Brian Slagel and Metal Blade Record's 35th Anniversary. Having Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Geoff Tate, Chris Poland, and Bjorn Englen perform in the most historic metal performance of all time. Having Paul Stanley Induct Doc McGhee. Having Brian May of Queen Induct Joe Satriani. These are just some of the Legendary memories that we are honored to have shared with Hard Rock and Heavy Metal fans throughout the world.

For more information, please contact 973-263-0420, or info@themetalhalloffame.org