“I remember waking up Tuesday, September 11th, 2001, to my wife telling me to put on the TV because I wasn't going to be going into N.Y.C. as planned. Dream Theater was working in N.Y.C. at the time mixing our album 'Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence,' and I would've been driving in that afternoon for our session.”

American musician, drummer, backing vocalist, and co-founder of Dream Theater

Michael Stephen Portnoy is an American musician, best known as the drummer, backing vocalist, and co-founder of the progressive metal band Dream Theater. He is closely associated with Dream Theater’s sound and growth, both as a performer and as part of the band’s early foundation. His work is tied to progressive metal, and his reputation comes chiefly from his role behind the drum kit and his vocal contributions.