Journey drummer Deen Castronovo was rushed to a hospital on Thursday after a medical emergency forced the band to stop its concert in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after only two songs. The 62-year-old musician left the stage and was transported for care, according to video shared on X. Bandmates addressed the audience, asking fans to pray for his recovery while explaining that the show would continue.
Keyboardist Jonathan Cain took the stage to apologize for the interruption. He described the situation as unfortunate and expressed hope that it would be only a delay. Cain urged the crowd to keep Castronovo in their prayers, stating, "We're going to see what happens as this progresses."
Guitarist Neal Schon followed Cain to provide details on how the concert would proceed. According to the local outlet Tulsa World, Schon confirmed that Castronovo was being taken to the hospital and that the band's longtime drum technician, Steve Toomey, would take over behind the kit. Schon asked the audience to applaud Toomey and informed them that the band would return in about 15 minutes.
Upon their return, lead singer Arnel Pineda offered a lighthearted comment about Castronovo's condition, according to Ultimate Classic Rock. Pineda joked that his bandmate was "gonna be fine" and attributed the incident to drinking "Too much Gatorade." While no official diagnosis has been released, Pineda's remarks suggested a reassuring tone for the fans.
Schon dedicated the remainder of the performance to his bandmate. He expressed his belief that Castronovo would recover well, noting that everyone involved had been going through a difficult time. The specific nature of the health issue remains unknown. Fox News Digital contacted Journey's representatives but did not receive a response.
The incident occurred during Journey's "Final Frontier Tour," which serves as the band's farewell tour. The North American leg of the tour began in February and is scheduled to conclude on Nov. 28 in San Francisco. The current lineup features Schon, Cain, Pineda, Castronovo, keyboardist Jason Derlatka, and bassist Todd Jensen.
Schon has previously framed the tour as a celebration of the band's history and its relationship with long-time supporters. In a conversation with Rolling Stone, he emphasized the importance of sharing their music with fans who have supported Journey for generations, describing the audience as incredible.