Toto bass-player Mike Porcaro dies at 59

Mike Porcaro (first from left) with other Toto band members in Singapore, 15 May 2006

Mike Porcaro, bass-player of US rock band Toto which had hits with Africa and Rosanna, has died at 59 after a long battle with Motor neurone disease.

Toto keyboardist Steve Porcaro said in a statement that his brother had died peacefully in his sleep at home, surrounded by family.

Toto, which broke up in 2008, reformed in 2010 to raise money for Porcaro and raise awareness of his illness.

Also known for the hit Hold the Line, the band sold 35m albums.

Toto guitarist Steve Lukather wrote on Facebook that Mike was "now at peace".

Motor neurone disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is a rare condition which attacks the nervous system.

As the condition progresses sufferers find basic activities such as walking, speaking and breathing increasingly difficult.