Journey Drummer Deen Castronovo Hospitalized After Medical Emergency Onstage
Journey drummer Deen Castronovo suffered a medical emergency during the band’s performance at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The incident occurred just two songs into the set, forcing Castronovo to be helped off the stage and leading to a temporary pause in the show.
Band Updates Crowd in Tulsa
After the rest of the band left the stage, keyboardist Jonathan Cain addressed the audience to explain the sudden delay. Cain asked fans to keep the drummer in their thoughts, telling the crowd that the band was monitoring the situation as it progressed.
“We’re going to see what happens as this progresses,” Cain told concertgoers. “It’s an unfortunate situation. We’re very sorry. We’re hoping it’s only a delay, but please — I’m sorry. Don’t worry. Have your prayers ready. Have your prayers ready for Deen Castronovo, everybody. Thank you.”
Roughly 10 to 25 minutes after the stoppage, guitarist Neal Schon returned to the stage to provide an update, confirming that Castronovo had been taken to the hospital. Rather than canceling the remainder of the evening, the band pressed forward with the help of Castronovo’s drum tech, Steve Toomey, stepping behind the kit.
“He’s heading to the hospital. We’re going to continue the concert, and Deen’s tech, his drum tech, is going to sit in with us tonight,” Schon told the crowd. “Please give a big hand for Steve Toomey. We love you all; we’re really sorry about the inconvenience.”
Optimism From the Stage
Later in the evening, after the performance had resumed with Toomey handling drum duties, band members offered encouraging words regarding Castronovo’s condition. Singer Arnel Pineda asked the audience for ongoing prayers, offering a lighthearted remark about the drummer’s intake before adding that he was going to be fine. Schon echoed that optimism later in the set, dedicating the rest of the performance to their bandmate.
“This concert’s for Deen tonight,” Schon said. “I’d love you all to pray for him. Everybody’s been going through a lot. I think he’s going to be fine.”
Journey is currently out on their Final Frontier Tour. At the time of the Tulsa concert, an official statement regarding Castronovo’s ongoing condition had not yet been released by the band’s representatives, and their next scheduled performance is set for San Antonio, Texas.
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