Mike Porcaro, Toto’s bass player, has died aged 59.
Rolling Stone reports that Pocaro [above; far left] passed away on March 15 following a battle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
The news was confirmed by Porcaro’s brother, Steve – the band’s keyboardist – via Facebook.
“Our brother Mike passed away peacefully in his sleep at 12:04 AM last night at home surrounded by his family,” he posted. “Rest in peace, my brother.”
Porcaro joined his brothers Steve and Jeff as a member of Toto in 1984, playing on the band’s singles, “Rosanna” and “Africa“.
Jeff Porcaro died in 1992. Mike, meanwhile, stopped touring in the mid-2000s due to declining health, but was inducted into the Musician’s Hall of Fame alongside the band in 2009.
Toto are due to release a new album, Toto XIV, in March, with a European tour to follow in May.