( CNN ) For over two decades , bassist Mike Porcaro was a rock star with the band Toto , playing venues around the world . Now , the music world is mourning the death of Porcaro , who died after a battle with Lou Gehrig 's disease , also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS . He was 59 . `` Our brother Mike passed away peacefully in his sleep at 12:04 AM last night at home surrounded by his family , '' Porcaro 's brother Steve , the band 's keyboardist , posted on Facebook on Sunday . `` Rest in peace , my brother , '' About 10 years ago , Porcaro started noticing weakness in his fingers and hands . He was diagnosed with the disease in 2006 . Former members of his band -- known for hits such as `` Africa '' and `` Rosanna '' -- rallied to help . They reunited for a brief European tour in 2010 in support of Porcaro . Toto vocalist and guitarist Steve Lukather also called Porcaro a brother . `` My brother Mike Porcaro is now now at peace , '' he tweeted . `` I will miss him more than I could ever put into words . My deepest love to the family . God Bless '' ALS is a fast-moving , usually fatal disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord . It affects more than 30,000 people at any given time .
zu ##hler was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig 's disease , ALS , in 2006 . Members of Toto rallied to save him . he damaged nerve endings of brain and spinal cord .