Journey Drummer Deen Castronovo Hospitalized After Medical Emergency Halts Concert
The band stopped their Tulsa performance after two songs when drummer Deen Castronovo experienced a medical emergency, leading bandmates to request prayers from the audience.
Journey drummer Deen Castronovo was taken to a hospital on Thursday after experiencing a medical emergency during the band's concert in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The show was halted after only two songs as Castronovo was transported from the stage. Keyboardist Jonathan Cain addressed the crowd, apologizing for the interruption and asking attendees to keep the drummer in their prayers.
Guitarist Neal Schon informed the audience that Castronovo was being taken to the hospital and that the concert would continue with Steve Toomey, the band's longtime drum technician, taking over the drumming duties. Schon asked the crowd for a warm welcome for Toomey and stated the band would return to the stage after a brief intermission.
Lead singer Arnel Pineda later offered a statement to the audience, suggesting that Castronovo would be alright, jokingly attributing the incident to "too much Gatorade." Schon dedicated the remainder of the performance to his bandmate and expressed hope for his recovery.
The specific cause of Castronovo's medical emergency has not been publicly disclosed. Representatives for Journey were contacted for comment.
The incident occurred during the "Final Frontier Tour," Journey's farewell tour, which has dates scheduled through November. The North American leg of the tour began in February and is set to conclude on November 28 in San Francisco. Schon has previously described the tour as a celebration of the band's music and its long-standing fan base.