Culture · Journey lineup changeJourney drummer health break: Steve Murphy covers the rest of NovemberAired November 14, 2026 at 6:19 PM UTCWatchTranscript0:00Journey drummer health break.0:01Steve Murphy covers the rest of November.0:07Journey's drummer Dean Castronovo has stepped away for his health after two0:10mid-concert exits.0:11Steve Murphy will cover the remainder of November, and Journey's next concert0:15remains scheduled in Greenville, South Carolina.0:17The band is continuing its shows while Castronovo takes time away.0:20Journey hasn't said when he'll be ready to return.0:23Castronovo is sixty-two and first joined Journey in one thousand nine hundred and0:27ninety-eight.0:28He returned to the band in two thousand and twenty-one.0:30His role reaches beyond the drum kit because he also sings lead on several songs.0:34Murphy has already covered both parts of that job at a full concert.0:38Journey says Castronovo has its full support.0:40In its November thirteenth announcement, the band described an extensive year of0:44touring before his decision to step away.0:46It also passed along his thanks to fans for their love, encouragement, and kindness.0:50Murphy played the entire November twelfth concert at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.0:54Castronovo didn't appear on stage that night.0:56The new drummer also sang on just the same way, and any time.1:00Taking on vocal work that Castronovo had performed during his October return.1:03Keyboardist Jonathan Kane introduced Murphy to the Cleveland audience as a newcomer1:07to Journey Stage.1:08He told the crowd it was Murphy's first gig with the band, then praised the drummer.1:12Murphy's November engagement followed that completed performance.1:15Murphy brings experience as a drummer and vocalist with the Hitmen, a group of1:19veteran sidemen and session musicians.1:21He's worked with the Alan Parsons Live project, Trans, Siberian Orchestra,1:25Christopher Cross, and Jack Bruce.1:27His touring background includes Trans, Siberian Orchestra's American tours in20001:31and2001.1:32Subscribe to this channel as we follow Journey's lineup changes and any announcement1:36about Castronovo's return.1:38Castronovo went to hospital after Journey's October eighth concert stopped in Tulsa.1:42He returned for a full show in San Antonio on October10.1:45Two nights later, then on November10 in Boston, he left during another concert.1:50Journey had played just two songs at Tulsa's Buck Center when the October concert1:54stopped.1:54They'd opened with, Be Good to Yourself and Stone in Love.1:58Keyboardist Jonathan Kane told the audience their drummer was having a medical2:01emergency, and guitarist Neil Shun said Castronovo was heading to hospital.2:05Drum technician Steve Toomey took over after an intermission of about twenty-five2:09minutes.2:10Journey resumed with Ask the Lonely, and Toomey finished the evening.2:13He was the emergency substitute in Tulsa and would later take over again in Boston.2:17Castronovo played the full October10 concert at Frostbank Center in San Antonio.2:22He sang lead on lights, Keep on Running, and Precious Time.2:25He also shared lead vocals with Kane on Just the Same Way and Anytime.2:29Sean later wrote that Dean was back in rare form.2:31Castronovo apologized to Tulsa fans before that San Antonio performance.2:36He thanked people for their concern, well wishes and messages, and said he'd be2:40joining Journey on stage that night.2:42That return came roughly a month before the band announced his current break.2:45Toomey replaced Castronovo during the November10 Boston show.2:48Murphy then handled Cleveland two nights later and became the announced replacement2:52for November.2:53Castronovo and Journey haven't disclosed his illness or explained whether the Boston2:56Exit and Tulsa Emergency shared a medical cause.2:59Journey remains scheduled to play Bon Sicor Wellness Arena in Greenville on3:02November14 at7:30 p.m.3:05local time.3:06The current tour leg is scheduled to end November20,8 .3:09At Chase Center in San Francisco, with Murphy covering the remainder of November.3:13Journey is promoting the final Frontier Tour as a farewell tour.3:16Its announcement commits to continuing the performances while Castronovo attends to3:20his health.3:21Murphy's announced cover runs through November.3:23Castronovo's return date is still open.Story timelineHeyDex
