Journey drummer Deen Castronovo suffers medical emergency during Oklahoma concert
Journey drummer Deen Castronovo was hospitalized when he suffered a medical emergency during the band’s concert in Oklahoma on Thursday night.
Castronovo, 62, was helped off the stage after the legendary rock band wrapped up their second song at Tulsa’s BOK Center, according to Tulsa World.
The group played “Be Good to Yourself” and “Stone in Love” before Castronovo’s health scare, after which keyboardist Jonathan Cain addressed the crowd.
“We’re going to see what happens as this progresses,” Cain said from the stage, according to Tulsa World.
“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,” he added.
About 10 minutes later, guitarist Neal Schon returned to the stage and told the audience that Castronovo had been taken to the hospital.
Drum tech Steve Toomey was brought in for the rest of the performance, which resumed about eight minutes later with “Ask the Lonely.”
Singer Arnel Pineda then gave an encouraging update on Castronovo.
“He’s gonna be fine. Too much Gatorade,” Pineda said, according to Ultimate Classic Rock.
Later in the concert, Schon offered a hopeful update.
“This concert is for Deen. I think he’s going to be fine,” he said.
No further details about Castronovo’s condition have been released.
Page Six has reached out to Journey’s rep for comment.
Journey is currently on its Final Frontier tour with Castronovo, Schon, Cain and Pineda, who joined the band in 2007 after replacing original frontman Steve Perry.
The band is scheduled to play its next show Friday at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Castronovo first played drums and contributed vocals for Journey from 1998 to 2015 before returning to the group in July 2021.
His 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.
Last year, Castronovo made headlines after 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!”
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