Journey guitarist Neal Schon hailed Deen Castronovo for returning to action days after a health emergency. The drummer had been helped off stage and rushed to hospital after two songs in Tulsa, Oklahoma on October 8.
Keyboardist Jonathan Cain told the audience: “We’re going to see what happens as this progresses. It’s an unfortunate situation.” He added: “Have your prayers ready for Deen Castronovo, everybody. Thank you.” The show continued with drum tech Steve Toomey.
Subsequent updates included the news that he was “doing great” after having been helped off stage because he “wasn’t feeling well.” Castronovo himself later said: “Thank you all for the overwhelming love, concern, well wishes, messages and texts. While I haven’t been able to respond to everyone personally, please know how much your kindness and support mean to me.”
As he predicted, he was behind the kit as usual for Journey’s concert in San Antonio, Texas, on October 10, delivering a 26-song performance and providing lead vocals for the songs Lights, Precious Time and Keep On Runnin’.
Schon reported: “San Antonio last night. Amazing crowd! You rocked! Deen was back in rare form.”
Details of Castronovo’s illness have not been provided. The 62-year-old – who’s also played with Ozzy Osbourne, Bad English and the Dead Daisies – joined Journey in 1998 and was fired in 2015 due to substance abuse issues. He returned in 2021.
Journey’s current Final Frontier tour is set to end on November 28. Schon had teased that more dates would be added for 2027, but nothing has been announced yet. The band introduced a guest singer, Hugo Valenti, during their recent tour of Japan. It’s been speculated that he could replace vocalist Arnel Pineda, who’s been in place since 2007.
