Journey guitarist Neal Schon says drummer Deen Castronovo is “doing great” following an onstage medical emergency.
Schon shared the update on Facebook on Oct. 9 and thanked fans for their prayers, according to Ultimate Classic Rock.
Castronovo had been helped offstage during the previous evening’s performance at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
A representative told Variety that Castronovo was taken to a hospital to be checked out. No diagnosis has been publicly announced.
The Show Stopped After Journey’s First Two Songs
At the Journey concert where drummer Deen Castronova had a “medical emergency” after two songs. Was helped off the stage.
Show is delayed for now at the BOK Center. https://t.co/KHQljAJRnl
— Eric Bailey (@EricBaileyTW) October 9, 2026
Journey had opened with “Be Good to Yourself” and “Stone in Love” before the musicians left the stage and the house lights came up. Tulsa World sports reporter Eric Bailey posted from inside the arena as the performance paused.
Keyboardist Jonathan Cain addressed the crowd and apologized. “It’s an unfortunate situation,” he said. “We’re hoping it’s only a delay.” He asked fans to keep Castronovo in their prayers, as Entertainment Weekly reported.
Steve Toomey Took Over on the Kit He Usually Prepared
Roughly 10 minutes after Cain addressed the crowd, Schon returned to announce that Castronovo’s longtime drum technician, Steve Toomey, would fill in. He asked the audience to welcome Toomey and said the musicians would return after another short wait.
The concert resumed with “Ask the Lonely,” according to Guitar World. Toomey played the remainder of the show, earning praise from bandmates who said he had “saved the night.” Schon dedicated the performance to Castronovo, while singer Arnel Pineda told the crowd he expected the drummer to be back soon.
A 2021 interview with The Paw Print, Irvington High School’s student newspaper, reported that Toomey had worked as a technician for Journey since 2008. It also described the custom drum racks he had designed and built for Castronovo.
In that interview, Toomey explained that his usual show-day responsibilities included setting up the gear, checking the drummer’s in-ear monitors and getting the kit ready for soundcheck. Final preparations included tuning the drums before the performance, followed by dismantling and loading the equipment afterward.
Schon Points to San Antonio for Castronovo’s Return
“He can’t wait to see you in San Antonio TX!” Schon wrote in his update. “Come out and help welcome him back!”
Journey’s next appearance was scheduled for Oct. 10 at the Frost Bank Center, with a 7:30 p.m. local start time.
The Farewell Tour’s Fall Leg Runs Through November
Castronovo, 62, first joined Journey in 1998 and played with the band until 2015. He returned in 2021 and handles both drums and vocals in the current lineup.
The band is touring under the Final Frontier banner, with promoter AEG Presents marketing the run as Journey’s farewell. Its tour announcement advertised the concerts as “A Special Evening With” the band, with a new stage production and a set drawing from both major hits and deeper cuts.
In May, Journey announced 40 additional dates for the fall. That leg opened in Los Angeles on Sept. 12 and is scheduled to conclude with a hometown concert at San Francisco’s Chase Center on Nov. 28.