Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy marked the second anniversary of his sister’s death with a tribute post on Instagram. Samantha Leone Cattaneo died on October 29th, 2024, after battling cancer.
Portnoy’s sister was a devoted supporter of Dream Theater and had been excited about the band’s reunion. Her declining health prevented her from traveling to shows in person, though she followed the band’s performances online from the hospital.
Portnoy wrote on Instagram: “I can’t believe it’s already been 2 years…Miss you Sis! Samantha Leone Cattaneo. March 6th 1970 – October 29th 2024.”
The drummer had previously shared details about the day his sister passed away. “Tonight in Zagreb Croatia was one of the hardest shows I’ve ever had to play,” Portnoy said. “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…”
Despite the grief, the show continued that evening. “As hard as it was, tonights show went on and James 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 even came and sat beside me at my kit for the ending solo which meant so much to me…)”
Portnoy explained how meaningful the reunion had been to his sister. “My sister was always one of DT’s biggest fans & supporters and us reuniting meant soooo 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. But she told me she watched some videos of the show online in the hospital and I know how happy it made her.”
Portnoy shared the tribute on the anniversary of Samantha Leone Cattaneo’s death to honor her memory and her support of the band.
Dream Theater announced the return of co-founding drummer Mike Portnoy in October 2023, marking his first shows with the band since August 2010. The prog metal band’s 40th anniversary tour kicked off with a show in London on October 20, 2023, where the band drew over 10,000 fans at the O2 Arena. The European leg of the tour spanned 23 cities and concluded on November 24, 2023.
Samantha Leone Cattaneo was thrilled about her brother’s return to the band after thirteen years. She wanted to travel to London for the reunion shows but her cancer prevented her from making the journey. Instead, she watched performances online from the hospital, which Portnoy said made her happy despite her illness.
Portnoy’s first album with Dream Theater in 15 years, Parasomnia, was released on February 7, 2025. The reunion came after Portnoy, guitarist John Petrucci, bassist John Myung, keyboardist Jordan Rudess and vocalist James LaBrie reconciled, ending Portnoy’s departure and replacing drummer Mike Mangini, who had played with the band since 2011.
