Journey Replaces Hospitalized Drummer During Tulsa Concert

Journey continued its Tulsa concert with a substitute drummer on October 8 after Deen Castronovo experienced a medical emergency early in the performance. The drummer was helped off the stage at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, following the second song and taken to a hospital, according to reports from Tulsa World and News On 6.

The incident interrupted the rock band's performance shortly after it began. Several musicians left the stage as the situation unfolded, and keyboardist Jonathan Cain addressed the audience while the group assessed what would happen next, USA TODAY reported.

Cain apologized to concertgoers and asked them to keep Castronovo in their thoughts as the band awaited further developments.

"So we're going to see what happens as this progresses," he said, according to Tulsa World.

Cain acknowledged the disruption and expressed hope that the interruption would be temporary. He also thanked the audience while asking them to offer prayers for the drummer.

"It's an unfortunate situation. We're very sorry. We're hoping it's only a delay.

Don't worry. Have your prayers ready for Deen Castronovo, everybody. Thank you."

Guitarist Neal Schon later returned to the stage and informed the audience that Castronovo would not resume playing that night because he had been taken to the hospital, USA TODAY reported. The band's drum technician, Steve Toomey, took over the percussion duties, allowing the concert to continue.

News On 6 reported that no further details about Castronovo's medical condition had been released. USA TODAY said it had contacted Journey's representative for comment.

Castronovo has been part of Journey since 1998, when he replaced former drummer Steve Smith. Before and during his career with the band, he also performed with other rock acts, including Bad English and Ozzy Osbourne, according to USA TODAY.

His tenure with Journey included a departure in 2015 following his arrest in a domestic violence case. USA TODAY reported that he later pleaded guilty, received four years of supervised probation and was ordered to complete drug rehabilitation. He returned to the band in 2021.

Journey's current lineup also features Schon, Cain, lead singer Arnel Pineda, keyboardist Jason Derlatka and bassist Todd Jensen. According to USA TODAY, Pineda joined in 2007, Derlatka in 2020 and Jensen in 2021.

The band has been on its Final Frontier Tour since February. The 106-show tour is expected to conclude in San Francisco on November 28, marking Cain's final tour with Journey before his planned departure.