Journey drummer Deen Castronovo suffers medical emergency and is taken to hospital during Oklahoma concert

Journey drummer Deen Castronovo had to be replaced during the band's concert on Thursday night in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after he suffered a medical emergency.

Castronovo, 62, had to be taken to a hospital, members of the long-running rock band announced on stage, according to Tulsa World.

The concerning announcement came after Journey had finished its second song of the night at the BOK Center in Tulsa.

After the song, the band – which was forced to cancel a concert last year due to an electrical fire – reportedly left the stage before keyboardist Jonathan Cain returned to update the audience.

'So we're going to see what happens as this progresses,' Cain said. 'It's an unfortunate situation. We're very sorry. We're hoping it's only a delay, but please — I'm sorry. Don't worry. 

'Have your prayers ready,' he added in a video posted on X by Tulsa World sports reporter Erik Bailey. 'Have your prayers ready for Deen Castronovo, everybody. Thank you.'

After a ten-minute pause, guitarist Neal Schon returned to the stage to inform the audience that Castronovo had been taken to a hospital.

However, he announced that the show would resume after a 15-minute break with Castronovo's drum tech, Steve Toomey, filling in for him.

'He's very good,' Schon said of Toomey,' adding, 'We love you all. We're very sorry for the inconvenience.' 

According to Tulsa World, the band was back on stage in only eight minutes, and current lead vocalist Arnel Pineda again asked for prayers for Castronovo.

Later, after the band finished performing Lights, Schon announced that the concert was being dedicated to Castronovo.

'This concert is for Deen,' he 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.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Castronovo and Journey for comment but has not yet received a response. 

In 2015, Castronovo was sentenced to four years of probation and domestic violence prevention counseling after he pleaded guilty to two counts of assault, two counts of menacing, unlawful use of a knife and coercion after an incident.

He had previously faced a rape charge before agreeing to plead guilty to the less-serious charges.

The drummer had previously been arrested in 2012 for allegedly assaulting his wife. 

Journey was formed in 1973 in San Francisco as a jazz-fusion band, though it shifted to a more pop-oriented approach later in the 1970s after multiple lineup changes.

It went on to become one of the most successful bands of the '80s thanks to a string of hits, including Don't Stop Believin', Who's Cryin' Now, Any Way You Want It and Open Arms.