Submitted by bobby on Fri, 04/02/2010 - 00:12
As I said, I visited Mike this afternoon, and had the best time ever. we sat in his back yard and talked over old memories of all the years of touring and recording with Toto. There were moments that almost brought tears to both our eyes, but for the most part, we spent our time together laughing about the greatest, and most fun times we shared on the road together. We even told some jokes, and about 90% of the time I was there, he had a big beautiful smile on his face. It made me feel so great to see him smiling, and enjoying himself. Even though he's suffering the horror of not being able to play (and that must be truly terrible for someone with his level of talent, not to be able to pick up his Bass guitar and make it sing like he has in the past), he's showing such a positive attitude and has not lost his humor. He made me laugh so many times today. and Mike was always the very one who could turn a disastrous situation into something hilarious on the road.
He wanted me to let all of you know that your "ultra-kind sentiments" that have been written from deep within in your hearts, have made him feel so much more alive, and as I said, these are "healing words" you write about him, and Mike reads them with tears in his eyes. I want to thank all of you who have made him feel so much better, because he could very easily become depressed if not for the kindness all of you have shared toward him. Believe me, he feels your love and compassion when he's on the Network, and the more love you share from your hearts, the less he thinks about his suffering. I can't thank you enough for making him feel your compassion, because it makes him feel like he's still a part of the Toto Network, and loves the things each of you share with him. Please keep it up, and know in your hearts that you're doing Mike the best thing you can to help him feel better. He sends his love, and wishes all of you happiness, good health, and gratitude for all you do for him.
I'll get back over there and visit very soon again, and keep all of you updated on Mike. Know that he sends his love to you, and you do the same for him. God Bless you all..................Bobby
Comments
THANKS TO YOU BOBBY AND MIKE
HI THANKS FOR THE UPDATE ON YOUR VISIT WITH MIKE, BOBBY.
I AM FAN OF TOTO FOR 14. YEARS NOW, i JUS WANT YOU TO KNOW GUYS, WHAT BIG PART OF MY LIFE, YOU REALLY ARE. YOUR MUSIC HELPED ME THROUGH SOME REALLY HARD TIMES IN MY LIFE, I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THAT. YOU MADE IT WORTH LIVING.
MR. MIKE i AM SOOO GLAD i GOT A CHANCE TO HEAR YOU PLAY LIVE IN MUNCHEN 2002 AND MILANO 2003.YOU WERE AWESOME.
MIKE, YOU ARE ONE OF THE SWEETEST GUYS I HAVE EVER "KNOWN".( I GOT THIS IMPRESSION THROUGH WATCHING INTERVIEWS WITH YOU).
NO MATTER WHAT, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A PART OF TOTO.
WORLD IS SO MUCH BETTER PLACE, WITH YOU IN IT. SO PLEASE DON T GIVE UP! YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS!
BOBBY i HOPE YOU ARE OK? KEEP VISITING MIKE AND GIVE HIM A BIG HUG FOR ME!!! I HOPE TO HEAR SOME GOOD NEWS! TAKE GOOD CARE!
ONCE AGAIN GUYS, THAANK YOU FOR ALL THE GOOD MUSIC!!!!!
GOD BLESS YOU!
TANJA
I M NOT VERY GOOD AT ENGLISH, FORGIVE ME FOR MISTAKES.
Your english is fine but please...
... keep away from the 'caps lock' button next time.
Other than that... welcome to this crazy zone and keep on loving the guys, they need us as much as we need them!
Thanks to Bobby and Mike
Thanks for the update on your visit with Mike, Bobby. What a wonderful way to share an afternoon... Along the journey of my life I know I have come to value those special moments with my best friends as the real treasure of life.
Mike,
I am so glad that I got to see you in concert in Loudoun VA and again in Las Vegas in 2006. You and the other Toto members have brought me such happiness through your music. I became a Toto fan in 1978-79 with "99" and promptly bought all other albums along the way. Sometimes a group just "clicks" with the way you feel, think, pray and Toto is that for me. Thank you for your music and voice as part of that experience for me. God Bless you and heal you and protect you.
Peace,
Allison
hi bob
Thanks for sharing! Regards
//Tompa
Thanks for sharing this
Thanks for sharing this Bobby. I think all the fans are uplifted to know he is in such good spirits given his situation. He is one well-loved bass player. It's great you guys are still in touch with each other and can relive some great memories. I for one will never forget meeting Mike at an aftershow party in London in 2006. He chatted to me quite candidly for about half an hour. Such a cool, accommodating, down to earth but immensely talented guy. Our love goes out to him.
Bobby, Thank you for
sharing this with wonderful and encouraging news with us and passing our well-wishes along to Mike. I'm glad to hear that he is in good mood and upbeat spirits.
Mike, if you're on here, please take comfort you are always in our thoughts. Keep up the fighting spirit!!
Sharon
Hey Bobby, I just came home
Hey Bobby,
I just came home from a weekend "holiday" and now I am reading this.
And wow, what a lovely story. I feel the love straight from your heart.
This is so positive. I think when you are ill, you have to search for a balance in your life between all the negative feelings like sadness, losing hope etc. and the positive things. Joking is a good way, not only for your self but also to make things less difficult to talk about with others.
This story is touching me deeply...
Thanks for the update!
Love, Janneke
Thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing your afternoon with Mike, Bobby.
We've been going to: gratefulness.org
and lighting candles for Mike. It's a small way to send healing thoughts and we hope it helps!
Keep happiness in your hearts!
Love,
Veronica
Thanks Bobby
for sharing these hard moments for us. Seen Mike many times live, but never met him personally. Despite this it moves me a bit. Mike still laughing during you're visit... what a guy. When Mike reads this: please don't give up, and the TotoNetworkers think about you.
Bobby!
Thanks so much for sharing this with us. Luke mentioned on FB that he had had a great visit with Mike, too. Yes, love is very healing :) And there's no lack of it in the TOTO community!
Kate
Thanks Bobby....
it's so nice to know that our words are helping to keep Mike's spirits up, i can't imagine how hard it must be for him & his family, Mike.. we all love you here man, your the best!
The heart of a good man!
Bobby, thanks for been so kind to share our thoughts with Mike and, vice versa, his response to his fans. I'm very happy to hear that he's in good spirit and to know that it's making a difference to him that we continue our support, love and prayers for him. Mike, your contribution to the music world is tremendous! Sit comfortable in the laurels of your success because you are amongst the finest musicians this world has produced. I agree with Filip about the passion to which you approach music playing. The level of commitment you bring to the stage is contagious (I am an unfortunate one not to have had the pleasure to see and hear you perform live, but telling by the DVD from Amsterdam live it is quite impressive). Mike, I wish you strength and patience, DON"T GIVE UP HOPE, my friend! You truly have the heart of a good man, keep smiling, THE WORLD LOVES YOU!
Right you are my friend..................
Mike reads all of your words and feels your undying love and respect for his humanity, not to mention his talent. It is through all of you that he senses the difference he's made in the world while in Toto. You can't imagine how much this means to Mike, and I hope and pray you continue to just send anything that's on your mind about him. It all has a very restorative effect on his health situation, and it's such an enlightening and strengthening influence on his daily well being. Let's keep that smile on his face,.....even if you send him a joke. I can see it in his eyes, that he is very touched by all of you, and the things you say. Mike's a very courageous man, and a friend to all of us, so let's keep his spirits up. Many thanks to you all..................Bobby
Mike's visit to the network!
Hi Bobby, I was happy to see that Mike has briefly "stopped by" the network two days ago. It makes me SO happy that he is feeling much stronger and that we all are making a difference in his daily well being. Hi Mike! If you read this, keep smiling! and feel free to stop by anytime and say hello, ARRIBA! GROOVE MASTER!
Bobby...
... thank you so much for sharing this with us! it's good to hear this story and to know Mikey is still able to smile.
Hugs for you for sharing this.
deepest respect to Mike
Dear Mike
My name is Filip Slosse, I am 45 years old, psychologist, and from Belgium.
I became a fan of Toto since the first records. During the years, my respect for Toto was growing and growing. For me, absolutely the best pop, rock,..... group in the world. The virtuosity of the members is from an world famous level. I dont know a group with so many talent together.
Since I saw for the first time in my life a concert of Toto, more precisely in 2006, Vorst National Belgium, I became really addicted to the music.
I bought the DVD 25 years Toto, the Amsterdam concert and afterwards all the existing DVD's.
When I saw you playing, I looked for it again and again and again. ..... I cant explain the emotional energy, the manner you feel music and translate it in a extraordinary bass line. I never saw a bass player playing with this kind of absolute high sensitivity. Its far more then playing on a technical master level. Its pure emotion and for me that was a new experience. Myself, I am playing keyboards so I am very interested in music and interpretations.
The Amsterdam concert is for me the best DVD in my collection and the best msuic concert I ever heard.
You are not just playing, your music is part of yourself and an expression of who you are. I have the greatest respect for musicians who can reach that level of talent. its so exceptional. I showed it my two daughters, (14 and 16 years old), thy became fans too !!!!!!
When I read the message that you had to stop playing, it really chocked me and I cried. But the legacy on all these fabulous records is eternal.
I want to thank you for your contribution to music history. I want to apoligize for my touristical english :-)
Maybe I am the greatest Toto fan in Belgium. The problem is that it is difficult to explain people how good you are . Toto music is easy accessible for everyone but really made for absolute music lovers. Every song has a nearly symphonic rock level, each of them are technical not only very difficult to play, but demanding from the musicians an emotional contribution far more higher then every group I saw performing.
Maybe I am not in the possibility ever to meet you... Nevertheless..... you became a role model for me ! Thanks !!
please feel free to visit my facebook.
Filip
I agree with you Filip
I see Toto exactly the way you see and can't understand why not every single person in this world with a pair of ears could hear how amazing they are. To me the live performance in Amsterdam is phenomenal (my favorite) and I LOVE Mike's grooves towards the end of Africa!
I once had a friend...
... that stated he didn't like TOTO. Ofcourse I asked why... his answer... they are too perfect! Needless to say I LIKE PERFECTION hahaha!
Sweet, sweet soul
Bobby, thank you so very much for sharing this with us. Jeff was on our minds yesterday, still is, actually, now we segue to thoughts of and for Mikey. I'm keeping a candle lit.
Thanks Bobby
Good to know how he is
Dude, you're gonna make me
Dude, you're gonna make me cry... or maybe there's some onions around here. ;)
This truly made my day! Thank
This truly made my day! Thank you SO for much for the update, Bobby and I'm glad that Mike is keeping his spirits up. All hail Mike!
And you also Bobby, thanks
And you also Bobby, thanks that you did this for him and us (all the fans)
And nice to hear he is not depressed, I think he is a verry strong person!!!
Greetz from Eddy and Nicole...
Tears in my eyes
Thanks Bobby for sharing this .... Can't imagine indeed , whats its like for him.If all this love could work a miracle , wouldn't that be awesome ? I'm glad he is still able to laugh , life must be hard on him & his now.
Thnks again !
Wow...
That's so touching, and uplifting. Many thanks Bobby for sharing this and passing on the messages between Mike and the fans.
So Mike when you're reading this.... man, we love you, and all the thoughts & prayers from everyone on here are true and heartfelt. Stay strong & keep smiling,
Jes.