Journey Replaces Drummer Deen Castronovo on Final Frontier Tour
Journey has officially replaced drummer Deen Castronovo for the remainder of their ongoing farewell tour. Castronovo had previously missed all or part of three recent shows before guitarist Neal Schon confirmed his departure in an official statement.
“After careful consideration and an extensive year of touring, our talented longtime drummer Deen Castronovo has decided to step away to focus on personal health matters that require his attention,” Schon said. “He has our full support during this time and extends his heartfelt thanks to the fans for the love, encouragement, and kindness he has received.”
Castronovo first left during Journey’s show in Boston on a Tuesday, following a similar episode in early October during a stop in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Longtime Journey drum tech Steve Toomey filled in on both occasions. However, the situation shifted during a concert in Cleveland at Rocket Arena, where Castronovo did not appear on stage.
Enter Steve Murphy
In Cleveland, Castronovo was quietly replaced by Steve Murphy, a singer and multi-instrumentalist from the New York-area group the Hitmen. Keyboardist Jonathan Cain introduced Murphy to the audience after the show was already underway, telling the crowd at Rocket Arena that it was Murphy’s first gig with the band.
Schon confirmed that Murphy will remain with the group for the rest of November. Journey’s schedule picks up in Greenville, South Carolina, with dates running through November 28 in their hometown of San Francisco, followed by a makeup date at the Stagecoach Festival in California next April. No word has been given on whether Castronovo will be available to return by that time.
A History of Tributes and Collaborations
Murphy is the second tribute performer to share the stage with Journey on tour this year. His background includes touring with the Alan Parsons Live Project and working with Steve Augeri, who originally replaced Steve Perry in the late ’90s. Murphy also began posting his own Journey cover songs online, eventually catching attention before his promotion to the live lineup. During his debut in Cleveland, Murphy also took on lead vocals, handling Perry’s parts on the ’70s-era favorites “Just the Same Way” and “Anytime.”
Prior to Murphy’s arrival, Journey brought out Steve Perry impersonator Hugo Valenti for two earlier dates on August 29 in Fukuoka, Japan, and September 1 in Tokyo. Valenti performed “Faithfully” and the Escape deep cut “Keep on Runnin'” before departing.
Castronovo is currently in his second stint as Journey’s drummer, having previously been a member of the offshoot band Bad English alongside Cain and Schon. His first tenure in Journey lasted from 1998 to 2015, and he returned to the fold in 2021.
Related reading: The Raconteurs Reunite for First Time in Seven Years at Jack White’s Nashville Concert, Mike Love Returns to the Stage With the Beach Boys Amid Health Concerns, Journey Drummer Deen Castronovo Hospitalized After Medical Emergency Onstage
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