Key details about Journey’s tour change
- Drummer change: Journey replaced Deen Castronovo for the remainder of its ongoing farewell tour after he stepped away to focus on personal health matters.
- November dates: Steve Murphy is scheduled to join Journey for the remainder of November, with the tour continuing through Nov. 28 in San Francisco.
- Murphy’s role: The singer and multi-instrumentalist performed on drums and sang Steve Perry’s parts during Journey’s Cleveland show.
- Possible return: Journey has not said whether Castronovo will be available for the makeup date next April at the Stagecoach Festival.
This article explains Journey’s drummer change, introduces Steve Murphy and summarizes what is known about Deen Castronovo and the band’s remaining tour dates.
Journey has officially replaced drummer Deen Castronovo for the remainder of its ongoing farewell tour. Castronovo had missed all or part of three recent shows, and the band gave no reason for his departure.
“After careful consideration and an extensive year of touring, our talented longtime drummer Deen Castronovo has decided to step away to focus on personal health matters that require his attention,” Neal Schon said in an official statement on Friday afternoon. “He has our full support during this time and extends his heartfelt thanks to the fans for the love, encouragement and kindness he has received.”
Castronovo left during Journey’s show on Tuesday in Boston, following a similar episode in early October during a stop in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Longtime Journey drum tech Steve Toomey filled in on both occasions. The lineup changed again by the time the tour reached Cleveland.
What happened to Deen Castronovo on Journey’s farewell tour?
Deen Castronovo did not appear on stage on Thursday at Rocket Arena, where Steve Murphy took his place. Murphy is a singer and multi-instrumentalist with the New York-area group The Hitmen, and he has posted covers of Journey songs.
Journey replaced Castronovo with Steve Murphy for its Cleveland show and announced Murphy would join the band through the end of November.
Murphy is the second tribute performer to share the stage with Journey this year. Schon confirmed that Murphy “will be joining us for the remainder of November. We look forward to continuing to share unforgettable nights of music with all of you.”
- Earlier stand-ins: Steve Toomey filled in when Castronovo left shows in Boston and Tulsa.
- Cleveland replacement: Steve Murphy played with Journey at Rocket Arena.
- November schedule: Journey’s dates continue through Nov. 28 in San Francisco.
The sequence of stand-ins changed from show to show: Toomey filled in during the earlier incidents, while Murphy joined the band in Cleveland. Journey was scheduled to resume on Saturday, Nov. 14, in Greenville, South Carolina.
What Journey song does Steve Murphy cover, “Still They Ride”?
Steve Murphy has covered Journey songs, including “Still They Ride.” Journey has not said whether Castronovo will return for its makeup date next April at the Stagecoach Festival in California.
Journey’s makeup date is scheduled for next April at the Stagecoach Festival, but the band has not announced whether Castronovo will be available.
Jonathan Cain introduced Murphy after Journey’s Cleveland performance was underway. “We’re gonna let you in on a little secret,” Cain said on stage at Rocket Arena. “This is Steve Murphy’s first gig with the band tonight. Can you believe this drummer, right here?”
READ MORE: Journey’s Top 20 Post-Steve Perry Songs
Castronovo returned two nights after leaving the stage in Oklahoma, and Schon later wrote on social media, “Deen was back in rare form.” After Castronovo was absent again, fans speculated about the reason. He posted a tour photo on Thursday morning before the concert but has not commented again.
Who is Journey guest drummer Steve Murphy?
Steve Murphy has toured with the Alan Parsons Live Project and worked with former Journey frontman Steve Augeri. Murphy also began posting his own Journey cover songs.
Steve Murphy is a singer and multi-instrumentalist who has performed with the Alan Parsons Live Project and other acts.
Castronovo is in his second stint as Journey’s drummer and has also taken occasional lead-vocal duties. In Cleveland, Murphy also sang Steve Perry’s parts on the 1970s-era Journey favorites “Just the Same Way” and “Anytime.”
Murphy’s bandmates in the Hitmen congratulated him later that evening. “We’re all so proud,” they said. “We always knew he was a very special talent.”
The Hitmen share a performance circuit with Hugo Valenti, a Steve Perry impersonator who appeared at two earlier Journey dates. Valenti performed “Faithfully” on Aug. 29 at the Greatest Rock Fukuoka Festival at Mizuho PayPay Dome and again on Sept. 1 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. At the Tokyo show, he also sang “Keep on Runnin’,” a deep cut from Escape. Valenti has not joined Journey again.
Which Journey song does Steve Murphy cover, “Feeling That Way”?
Steve Murphy has performed Journey cover songs, including “Feeling That Way.” Before joining the Hitmen, Murphy spent many years in the South Florida group Nobody’s Fault with his brother.
Murphy’s music career includes a record deal with Mercury Records as a member of Company of Wolves and collaborations with Jack Bruce. He played with the late Cream musician on the Alan Parsons-led Walk Down Abbey Road Tour and the Cream of Jack Bruce Tour, both in the early 2000s.
Deen Castronovo was a member of Bad English, the offshoot band with Jonathan Cain and Neal Schon, before replacing Steve Smith in Journey. Castronovo’s first tenure lasted from 1998 to 2015, and he returned in 2021.
Nick DeRiso is the author of the Amazon best-selling rock band biography ‘Journey: Worlds Apart,’ available at major bookseller websites.
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Journey has spent much of its history on the road, but its live shows have not all been documented. This gallery takes a broader look back at the band’s live albums.
Gallery Credit: Nick DeRiso
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What is known about Journey’s drummer change?
Journey announced that Deen Castronovo was stepping away to focus on personal health matters and named Steve Murphy as his replacement for the remainder of November. The band has not announced whether Castronovo will return for its next April date.
Steve Murphy is Journey’s announced drummer replacement through November, while Castronovo’s availability for the Stagecoach Festival date remains unconfirmed.
Why did Deen Castronovo leave Journey’s tour?
Journey said Castronovo stepped away to focus on personal health matters that require his attention. The band has not shared further details.
Journey cited personal health matters as the reason Castronovo stepped away from the tour.
Who filled in for Deen Castronovo?
Steve Toomey, Journey’s longtime drum tech, filled in during shows in Boston and Tulsa. Steve Murphy replaced Castronovo at the Cleveland show.
Toomey and Murphy filled in for Castronovo at different points on Journey’s tour.
When does Steve Murphy join Journey?
Steve Murphy joined Journey for its Cleveland show, and Neal Schon said Murphy would remain with the band for the rest of November. The tour schedule continues through Nov. 28 in San Francisco.
Journey announced Murphy’s participation through the end of November.
Could Deen Castronovo return for the Stagecoach Festival?
Journey has a makeup date next April at the Stagecoach Festival in California, but it has not said whether Castronovo will be available.
Castronovo’s availability for Journey’s Stagecoach Festival date has not been announced.
