Journey drummer Deen Castronovo has been hospitalized after collapsing onstage during the band’s Tulsa concert.
Castronovo, 62, was helped off the stage at the BOK Center on Thursday night after the legendary rock group had performed just two songs, “Be Good to Yourself” and “Stone in Love,” according to Tulsa World.
Keyboardist Jonathan Cain then stepped to the front of the stage to address the concerned audience. “We’re going to see what happens as this progresses,” Cain said. “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.”
About 10 minutes later, guitarist Neal Schon returned with an update. “This concert is for Deen. I think he’s going to be fine,” Schon said from the stage.
Drum tech Steve Toomey was rushed in to replace Castronovo for the remainder of the show, which resumed roughly eight minutes later with “Ask the Lonely.”
Singer Arnel Pineda, who joined Journey in 2007 after replacing original frontman Steve Perry, later offered a lighthearted explanation for the incident. “He’s gonna be fine. Too much Gatorade,” Pineda said, according to Ultimate Classic Rock.
No further details about Castronovo’s condition have been released by the band or its representatives.
The medical emergency marks another dramatic moment in recent months for the veteran drummer. Last year, Castronovo made headlines when a fire broke out beneath the stage during a Journey concert at NRG Stadium in Houston. “Hey, Houston! An act of God tonight!” he wrote on Instagram afterward. “Fire broke out underneath the stage — right under my drum riser! I was literally on fire for 4 ½ songs, all the power cables melted, and the show was a BUST!”
Castronovo first played drums and contributed vocals for Journey from 1998 to 2015 before returning to the group in July 2021. His extensive career also includes stints with Bad English and Hardline, as well as performances alongside Ozzy Osbourne, Steve Vai, Paul Rodgers and Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath.
The band is currently on its Final Frontier tour with Castronovo, Schon, Cain and Pineda.
Journey is scheduled to play its next show at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.