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Journey Drummer Exits Tour Mid-Show for Health
14 Nov
Summary
- Drummer Deen Castronovo departed mid-show twice due to medical issues.
- Veteran musician Steve Murphy has been recruited to finish the tour.
- Castronovo previously rejoined Journey in 2021 after a 2015 departure.
Drummer Deen Castronovo has stepped away from Journey's ongoing tour due to personal health matters. The departure occurred mid-show on two separate occasions, forcing him to hand over his drumsticks to drum tech Steve Toomey before veteran musician Steve Murphy was brought in to complete the tour. Murphy, who has an extensive background working with bands such as Alan Parsons Project and Trans-Siberian Orchestra, joined the tour on November 12 and will perform for the remaining dates.
Castronovo initially joined Journey in 1998 and was a key member until his departure in 2015. He rejoined the band in 2021 and had been a significant part of their live shows, even taking lead vocals on "Lights." However, a medical emergency during an October 8 show in Tulsa necessitated his temporary exit. While he briefly returned for a show in San Antonio, he again had to leave the stage during a November 10 performance in Boston.
The band issued a statement expressing their full support for Castronovo during this time and thanking fans for their understanding. Originally planned as "The Final Frontier" tour, band founder Neal Schon indicated that the positive fan response might lead to further performances, suggesting "The Long Goodbye" rather than a definitive end.
