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A Journey concert in Tulsa, Oklahoma had an unnerving moment Thursday night when longtime drummer Deen Castronovo had to be helped off the stage after the group had performed just two songs, leading to a substantial
pause before the show resumed with a quickly drafted substitute. Castronovo was later reported to been hospitalized at a local facility following the unspecified medical emergency.
A representative for Journey confirmed to Variety Friday that Castronovo “wasn’t feeling well two songs in and was transported to the hospital to get checked out. The show was paused for about 20 minutes and the experienced drum tech filled in to finish the show.” No other details about his condition were immediately made available.
Tulsa World reported that it was keyboardist Jonathan Cain who first gave the crowd at BOK Center an indication of what was going on during the interruption. As other members left the stage, Cain acknowledged that Castronovo had had an issue and said “we’re going to see what happens as this progresses. It’s an unfortunate situation… We’re hoping it’s only a delay, but please — I’m sorry. Don’t worry… Have your prayers ready for Deen Castronovo, everybody. Thank you.”
According to the newspaper, 10 minutes went by before Neal Schon came back on stage and said the drummer had been transported to the hospital, and the show would resume shortly with the drum tech, Steve Toomey, whom he said was “very good,” taking over drum duties. Eight minutes after that, the show resumed.
Later on, per the paper, Schon said, “This concert is for Deen. I think he’s going to be fine.” And Cain said Toomey “saved the night for us. Thank you, sir.”
Subsequently, on his Facebook page (which is currently private), Schon was reported to have posted, “Thank you Tulsa OK for sticking with us. God bless Deen. … We pray.”
No updates have appeared on the drummer’s own Instagram page. He last posted prior to the concert, writing, “You’re standing in the line of fire tonight, TULSA and we’re comin’ to ya!!”
The 62-year-old drummer first joined Journey in 1998, then was reported to have been let go in 2015; after six years, he was rehired in 2021. He had previously played with Schon and Cain in Bad English in 1987-91.
Journey is next scheduled to perform Saturday in Biloxi, Mississippi. Tour dates on their farewell tour are slated through a Nov. 28 show in the group’s city of origin, San Francisco, although there have been no indications that that will be their final concert.
