Journey drummer Deen Castronovo was hospitalized after suffering a medical emergency during the band’s concert Thursday night at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The 62-year-old musician was helped from the stage shortly after the legendary rock group finished its second song, according to Tulsa World, as reported by Page Six.

Journey had performed “Be Good to Yourself” and “Stone in Love” before Castronovo’s health scare interrupted the show.

 

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A post shared by Deen Castronovo (@deenjcastronovo)

Keyboardist Jonathan Cain then addressed the audience as the band waited to learn whether the performance could continue.

“We’re going to see what happens as this progresses,” Cain said from the stage, according to Tulsa World. His remarks offered the crowd an immediate acknowledgment of the uncertain situation surrounding Castronovo.

“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 with a further update. He told the audience that Castronovo had been taken to the hospital, confirming that the drummer would not be able to continue the concert.

Drum tech Steve Toomey was brought in to handle the rest of the performance. The concert resumed about eight minutes later, with Journey continuing its set by playing “Ask the Lonely.”

Singer Arnel Pineda subsequently delivered an encouraging update about Castronovo’s condition. “He’s gonna be fine. Too much Gatorade,” Pineda said, according to Ultimate Classic Rock.

Schon also returned to Castronovo’s condition later in the concert and offered another hopeful message from the stage. “This concert is for Deen. I think he’s going to be fine,” he said.

No additional details about the drummer’s condition have been released. Page Six reached out to a representative for Journey for comment following the medical emergency and Castronovo’s hospitalization.

Journey is currently performing on its Final Frontier tour with Castronovo, Schon, Cain and Pineda. Pineda joined the band in 2007 after replacing original frontman Steve Perry.

The group is scheduled to play its next show Friday at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. The source did not report whether the Tulsa incident would affect that scheduled performance or Castronovo’s participation.

Castronovo first played drums and contributed vocals for Journey from 1998 until 2015. He later returned to the group in July 2021, resuming his role in the band.

His career has also included stints with Bad English and Hardline. Castronovo has performed alongside Ozzy Osbourne, Steve Vai, Paul Rodgers and Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath.

The Tulsa health scare came after another dramatic concert incident involving Castronovo last year. A fire broke out beneath the stage during Journey’s performance at NRG Stadium in Houston, directly under the drummer’s riser.

“Hey, Houston! An act of God tonight!” Castronovo wrote on Instagram after that concert. He then described the stage emergency in greater detail for his followers.

“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!” he wrote.

 

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