Deen Castronovo: Journey fans got a major scare in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Drummer Deen Castronovo suffered a medical emergency during the band's Oct. 8 show.
Crew members helped him off the stage. He was then taken to a hospital.
A Sudden Stop at the BOK Center
It happened just two songs into the set at the BOK Center. The music stopped. The crowd fell quiet. The band regrouped behind the scenes.
Keyboardist Jonathan Cain came back out to calm the nervous audience. He admitted the situation was unfortunate.
"We're hoping it's only a delay," he said. He then asked fans to keep Castronovo in their thoughts. "Have your prayers ready for Deen Castronovo, everybody," he said.
Lead guitarist Neal Schon followed with a clearer update. He confirmed that Castronovo was headed straight to a local hospital. Doctors would evaluate him there.
The Show Goes On
The band did not call it a night. Instead, they chose to continue. Castronovo's longtime drum technician, Steve Toomey, stepped in behind the kit.
Schon shared the plan with the crowd. "We're going to continue the concert, and Deen's tech is going to sit in with us tonight," he said.
He asked fans to give Toomey a big hand. He promised the band would return in about 15 minutes. He also apologized for the delay.
A Hopeful Note From the Stage
When the music resumed, lead singer Arnel Pineda addressed the crowd. "We ask for your prayers for our brother Deen Castronovo," he said.
He then added a lighthearted remark. "He's gonna be fine. Too much Gatorade," he said.
Later in the night, Schon dedicated the rest of the show to his bandmate. "This concert's for Deen tonight," he said. "I think he's going to be fine."
What We Know Now
Castronovo first joined Journey in 1998. He returned to the lineup in 2021.
The band has sounded optimistic. Still, no official update on his condition has been released.
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