Jordan Rudess recently shared insights into the personalities of his Dream Theater bandmates during an interview with Monterrey Rock.
When asked to define each member of the band in a few words, Rudess provided thoughtful descriptions of his colleagues.
“James LaBrie is first of all, he’s a lovely guy. He’s really coming from the heart and one of his amazing skills is that he’s very like focused and has the ability to really take care of himself. You know, our lives are crazy with all the road trips, the travel, the touring, but he stays on his schedule. He’ll work out. He eats the certain food that he wants to eat. He’s very good at just kind of like organizing all that,” Rudess said.
He continued by describing Mike Portnoy: “Mike Portnoy, he’s a person who’s not only a great drummer, but he also has a lot of charisma, you know. He’s very he can be he’s very engaging and he can be very very nice, sweet guy and very intense at the same time, you know, because he is who he is. And maybe I’ll leave it there.”
Rudess also spoke about John Petrucci, highlighting his intellect and memory. “John Petrucci, he’s very smart and he has probably one of the best memories of anybody I know because he can walk on stage and just like play three-hour shows all just you know by memory. He’s very organized. He’s been producing the band for a number of years himself right now and he’s really great at it. He’s got kind of that type of intellect and and that just that kind of brain where he can do that.”
These remarks offer a glimpse into the dynamics of Dream Theater and the unique qualities each member brings to the band.
Dream Theater formally reunited with founding drummer Mike Portnoy in October 2023, marking his first time back since leaving the band in 2010 and restoring the classic lineup with James LaBrie, John Petrucci, John Myung and Jordan Rudess. His return reinvigorated the band’s chemistry and momentum, leading into the recording and release of their sixteenth studio album, Parasomnia in February 2025 — the first Dream Theater record to feature Portnoy in 15 years.
Since the comeback, Dream Theater has been touring extensively in support of Parasomnia, performing tracks from the new album along with classics, and planning future creative cycles once the tour concludes.
Portnoy has said the renewed collaboration feels like returning home, and the band is already thinking about their next studio effort following the end of their 2025–2026 tour cycle.
