U.S. rock band Toto’s longtime bassist Mike Porcaro dies

Mike Porcaro, the longtime bassist for Grammy Award-winning U.S. rock band Toto, died on Sunday (15th March) morning, his brother and fellow band member said in a brief statement. He was 59.

Mike Porcaro, the longtime bassist for Grammy Award-winning U.S. rock band Toto, died on Sunday morning, his brother and fellow band member said in a brief statement. He was 59.

The band said in February 2010 that Porcaro had been diagnosed with ALS, or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and that it planned to tour to generate funds to support his care and to raise awareness about the disease.

“Our brother Mike passed away peacefully in his sleep at 12:04 a.m. last night at home surrounded by his family. Rest in peace, my brother,” Toto keyboardist Steve Porcaro wrote on Facebook. He provided no additional information.