Journey drummer Deen Castronovo steps away over health issues

Journey drummer Deen Castronovo is stepping away from the band because of health issues, the group has announced. His medical condition has not been disclosed, and Journey says Steve Murphy will take over for the final two weeks of its Final Frontier tour.

Castronovo had to leave the stage midway through two recent performances and hand his drumsticks to drum technician Steve Toomey, according to a report by Nieuws.nl. In a joint statement, the band said Castronovo would focus on “personal health issues that require his attention” and had its full support.

Castronovo joined Journey in 1998, replacing original drummer Steve Smith. He left in 2015 after being charged with assaulting a woman; the report says nine charges were later dropped and he pleaded guilty to six others, receiving a suspended sentence. He returned to the band in 2021.