Responding To Josh Freese's Dismissal To Zak Starkey, Mike Portnoy Says Nothing Is Safe

Dream Theater Drummer Mike Portnoy (Instagram @mikeportnoy)

Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy also responded to the dismissal of drummers from two major bands, namely Josh Freese from Foo Fighters and Zak Starkey from The Who.

As is known, Portnoy co-founded Dream Theater in 1985, but he opted out of the band in 2010.

Thirteen years later, Portnoy returned to Dream Theater. They have released an album, Parasomnia, last February.

Seeing the dismissal of two of his fellow drummers, Freese and Starkey, the 58-year-old drummer felt that no drummer was safe from his position.

"I think this is a Spinal Tap conspiracy. I don't think anyone is safe. Ringo's son (Starr - Zak Starkey) was fired from The Who," said Mike Portnoy, quoted by Blabbermouth, Friday, May 30.

Not only those two names, Portnoy also highlighted the exit of Jason Bonham 'son of drummer Led Zeppelin Kon Bonham' from the band Sammy Total.

John Bonham's son was fired from the band Sammy total. I mean, if Ringo and Bonzo's descendants weren't safe, no one was safe... Jason Bonham was sacked by Sammy a few months ago, last year, I think, while he was on a summer tour, "he said.

Portnoy felt what happened to some drummers was something crazy. In particular, he also talked about Freese, who joined Foo Fighters in 2023 following Taylor Hawkins' death.

"Frankly, this is shocking," Portnoy said. "I think Josh is perfect... So, yeah, it's scary. It's a scary time for the drummers."

The drummer also heard rumors about Hawkins' son Shane, who would replace Freese, after he performed with Dave Grohl cs at a tribute to his father and another performance in London.

"But even the sons of famous drummers are not safe, as I just said. That's not important," concluded Portnoy.