World-renowned drummer Mike Portnoy recently revealed special plans for his 50th birthday bash aboard the 2017 Cruise to the Edge, which will also feature acts like Yes, Kansas and more. He'll be performing the "12-Step Suite" which he wrote across a period of seven years while still in Dream Theater. Having never performed it with his former bandmates, he's extended an invitation their way to join him onstage.

“I would love nothing more than to perform it with [Dream Theater]," Portnoy began telling the National Student when discussing the upcoming special performance. "But they’ve made it clear that they have no intention in reuniting at any point. So, life is short; this is going to be my 50th birthday and it just felt like the right time and place to finally play this music."

Detailing a bit of background, he went on, "I wrote all five of these songs with the intention of them being performed from start to finish and I would have loved nothing more than to be doing it with Dream Theater. But it’s obviously not [in] the cards for them. I can’t sit around waiting for a reunion that may not happen." Despite these circumstances, Portnoy still opened it up for the possibility of an onstage reunion, adding, “That being said, all four Dream Theater guys have an open invitation to join me on the cruise. I would love nothing more than for them to be there with me.”

Consisting of five songs spread across five Dream Theater albums, the "12-Step Suite" was a passion project of Portnoy's with inspiration coming from success he found in Alcoholics Anonymous as he battled substance abuse. Each song deals with a range of emotions and the recovery process and has never been performed in full before. The drummer left the group in 2010 to branch out and explore other musical passions.

The 2017 Cruise to the Edge will take place on Feb. 7, departing from Tampa, Fla. for Cozumel, Mexico before returning to port on Feb. 11. Portnoy will turn 50 on April 20, 2017, a little over one month after the event. For more information including tickets, head to the cruise's website.

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