Based on the information that has come out, does anyone else get the sense that this whole reunion is something that started with MP and JP, and that JP then pitched it to everyone else in the band?
I don't know...my educated guess is, since MP wish to return to DT someday was kind of a public knowledge, that JP initially approached JR, to feel the pulse of the band, and after that, JM and James. When the 4 agreed, I think JP finally made the ivitation to MP. Of course, I'm totally speculating here. Do you think that maybe there was a phone call with the 4 of them inviting MP? It's possible for sure.
I really don't know on the finer points but from the way MP is talking it just sounds like something that was started between those two. According to MP's Drumeo, he first reconnected with JP '5-6 years ago.' Then it 'gained traction' (MP's words) when they did a solo album and after that LTE, and after that the solo album tour.
According to MP the 'final piece was connecting with JLB' so I don't think there is a real chance JLB was the first to float this reunion idea. But given the first relationship he rekindled was JP it would make sense this is the most natural place for it to have blossomed.
I just don't know who first uttered the idea or how it was propositioned, but what I do believe is that somewhere in between October 2022 and the official announcement on October 25, 2023 (and actually the window for the decision is probably shorter because I assume there was time between the agreement and the official announcement) something changed for John Petrucci. Why do I think this? I have referred to this interview before but here it is:
https://blabbermouth.net/news/john-petrucci-shuts-down-fan-speculation-about-mike-portnoys-return-to-dream-theater-ive-been-very-vocal-about-thisOn October 3rd 2022 JP did an interview with Eddie Trunk in which there was this: '
When host Eddie Trunk pointed out to Petrucci that the guitarist's reunion with Portnoy, including their current run of tour dates in support of "Terminal Velocity", has resulted in DREAM THEATER fans speculating about Portnoy's possible return to the band, John said: "I've been very vocal about this and outspoken and very careful about this to be clear with my intentions and Mike and I and our reuniting. The stuff that we are doing together with my solo stuff, with LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT, with Mike touring with me, this is its own thing, and DREAM THEATER is its own thing, and the history that we now have with Mike Mangini in the band for 12 years, it's important for me to make sure that people don't misunderstand this. Because it's not good for anybody; that kind of weirdness or controversy, as we all know, it's just toxic. So I've been saying… Maybe I'm selfish but I feel so lucky that I get to do this with Mike [Portnoy] and play live with him, play this instrumental music, record, and being in DREAM THEATER with Mangini, it's like I've kind of been spoiled. I get two of the greatest drummers in the world to be able to play with. And I think it's important for people to know that and to have that clarity — I really do."'
Seemed pretty darn clear to me and note that this interview took place well after MP attended to DT show in NYC where he patched things up with JLB. So the biggest question in my mind is what happened within that period of a year or probably less to make him go from briskly shutting down speculation about a reunion to then realizing the reunion itself? That is a pretty short window of time for a busy guy. The only big public things I can think of that happened were the solo album tour with MP and the DreamSonic tour with MM. Obviously I don't know about what happened outside of that but changing the band's drummer at this stage in your career -- and especially when you are happy with the work your current guy is doing -- is a big move. We'll probably never know what exactly changed his mind but it is just something I think about when I listen to DT.
Also LOL @ that first comment: "Yeah ok. $50 that reunion tour with Mike is announced within three years. By or on 10/7/25." The fact that it happened so quickly after he did this interview underscores the contrast between JP's mindset then vs. now. I just find it interesting.