TULSA, OK. (THECOUNT) — Deen Castronovo, 62, drummer for legendary rock band Journey, was taken to a hospital Thursday night after suffering a medical emergency during the band’s concert at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The show was interrupted after just two songs as Castronovo was helped off the stage.
A fan attending the concert, James Jones, described the alarming scene in a Facebook post, writing, “Pray for Deen they just carried him off stage with oxygen.” The post offered a firsthand account of the concern among concertgoers as Castronovo was removed from the stage.
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Following the interruption, the band left the stage before keyboardist Jonathan Cain returned to address the audience. He acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the situation and apologized to fans for the disruption.
“So we’re going to see what happens as this progresses,” Cain told the crowd. “It’s an unfortunate situation. We’re very sorry. We’re hoping it’s only a delay.”
Cain then urged the audience to pray for his bandmate. “Have your prayers ready for Deen Castronovo, everybody,” he said in video shared on X by Tulsa World reporter Erik Bailey.
Journey drummer Deen Castronovo, 62, was taken to hospital after a medical emergency during the Tulsa concert, with the show delayed 20 minutes. https://t.co/cNNYIFioLR
— Mockingjay (@Mockingjay_us) October 9, 2026
About 10 minutes later, guitarist Neal Schon returned to the stage and told the audience that Castronovo had been taken to a hospital. Schon announced that the concert would continue following a short break, with longtime drum technician Steve Toomey stepping in behind the kit.
“Please give a big hand for Steve Toomey,” Schon told the audience, apologizing for the inconvenience and asking fans to give the replacement drummer a warm welcome.
The band resumed its performance after the brief delay, with Toomey filling in for Castronovo. Lead vocalist Arnel Pineda also asked the audience to keep the drummer in their prayers and offered an encouraging message about his condition.
Later in the concert, after Journey performed “Lights,” Schon dedicated the show to Castronovo.
“This concert is for Deen,” Schon said. “I’d love you all to pray for him. Everybody’s been going through a lot.” He added, “I think he’s going to be fine.”
Despite the band’s hopeful comments, no official details about the nature of Castronovo’s medical emergency or his condition after arriving at the hospital had been released in the reports available Friday morning.
Castronovo has been a member of Journey during multiple periods, first joining the band in 1998 before returning in 2021. The veteran drummer is also known for his work with acts including Bad English and Hardline, as well as his performances with Ozzy Osbourne and other rock musicians.
The BOK Center is a major indoor arena in downtown Tulsa, the second-largest city in Oklahoma, located along the Arkansas River. The incident occurred during Journey’s ongoing Final Frontier tour.
Google Maps: BOK Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma
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