Toto bass player Mike Porcaro dies aged 59

Toto bassist Mike Porcaro, pictured centre, has died aged 59 Credit: Reuters

Mike Porcaro, the bass player with hit 1980s band Toto, has died aged 59 from ALS.

His brother and fellow band member, Toto keyboardist Steve Porcaro broke the news in a statement on Facebook yesterday:

"Our brother Mike passed away peacefully in his sleep at 12:04 a.m. last night at home surrounded by his family. Rest in peace, my brother."

He provided no additional information.

The Grammy award-winning band is best known for such hits as "Hold the Line," "Rosanna" and "Africa."

Porcaro left the band in 2007 and in February 2010 was diagnosed with ALS, or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The band said at the time that it planned to tour to generate funds to support his care and to raise awareness about the disease.

Toto guitarist Steve Lukather paid tribute to his former bandmate on Twitter: