Journey drummer Deen Castronovo steps away from remaining November tour dates
Journey says Deen Castronovo is stepping away for personal health matters, with Steve Murphy taking over drums through November.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
Journey drummer Deen Castronovo is stepping away from the band’s remaining November tour dates to deal with personal health matters, the group said. Steve Murphy has been brought in to play drums for the rest of the month as the Final Frontier tour heads toward its scheduled November 28 stop in San Francisco.
The announcement does not establish that Castronovo has permanently left Journey. The band described the move as Castronovo stepping away to focus on health matters that need his attention, while offering him its support and passing along his thanks to fans.
Journey’s statement did not disclose the nature of his health matters or provide a timetable for a return.
Why did Deen Castronovo step away from Journey’s tour?
Journey cited personal health matters, without giving further medical details. The decision followed two onstage interruptions during the tour, first in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on October 8 and then in Boston on November 10.
According to Rolling Stone, Castronovo left the Tulsa stage during the show and was taken to a hospital. His drum technician, Steve Toomey, finished the concert. Castronovo returned when Journey resumed the tour in San Antonio two days later.
He again departed partway through the November 10 Boston performance, Rolling Stone reported, with Toomey returning to the kit so the band could continue. Several songs were dropped from that night’s set, according to the outlet.
Who is playing drums for Journey now?
Murphy joined Journey in Cleveland on November 12 and played the full show, according to Ultimate Classic Rock and Sonic Perspectives. Keyboardist Jonathan Cain introduced him from the stage as making his first appearance with the band.
Journey said Murphy will stay through the remainder of November. The band’s announcement noted that the New York-born musician has worked with the Alan Parsons Project, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Christopher Cross and Jack Bruce.
The swap puts Murphy in a different role from Toomey, who stepped in during the Tulsa and Boston shows. Murphy is the designated drummer for the tour’s remaining November dates.
Castronovo first joined Journey in 1998, left in 2015 and returned in 2021, Rolling Stone reported. He has also sung during the group’s recent live shows.
The Final Frontier tour had been billed as a farewell run, although Journey founder Neal Schon recently told fans the group was reconsidering what comes after it. The current schedule was set to conclude November 28 in the band’s hometown of San Francisco.
This story draws on original reporting from Rolling Stone.