Steve Murphy Fills In on Drums for Journey
Murphy, a member of the New York-area group the Hitmen, subbed for Deen Castronovo at Journey's Cleveland show.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Rock
Steve Murphy played drums for Journey at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Thursday, replacing Deen Castronovo. It was Murphy's first gig with the band, and he sang Steve Perry's parts on "Just the Same Way" and "Anytime."
Why it matters
The substitution is the latest in a run of drum fill-ins for Journey, following Castronovo's abrupt exit from a show in Tulsa and Steve Toomey's stand-in performance in Boston. For Cleveland fans, it marks a rare change to the lineup at a local stop on the tour.
Murphy's Cleveland performance was his first gig with Journey, while Hugo Valenti played two 2026 shows with the band in Japan. Castronovo has been back in Journey's lineup since 2021, but the reason for his recent absences has not been disclosed.
The players
Journey
Journey is a long-running American rock band known for hits such as "Don't Stop Believin'," led for decades by keyboardist Jonathan Cain.
Steve Murphy
Steve Murphy is a drummer who is a member of the New York-area group the Hitmen and previously toured with the Alan Parsons Live Project.
Deen Castronovo
Deen Castronovo is a drummer who has been back in Journey's lineup since 2021 after earlier stints with the band.
Steve Toomey
Steve Toomey is Journey's longtime drum technician who filled in for Castronovo at the Boston show.
The details
Steve Murphy, who has toured with the Alan Parsons Live Project, replaced Deen Castronovo at Rocket Arena on Thursday. Jonathan Cain announced Murphy's debut from the stage, and Murphy sang Steve Perry's parts on two songs.
Timeline
Early October: Castronovo abruptly left the stage at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Steve Toomey filled in.
Tuesday: Steve Toomey filled in for Castronovo at Journey's Boston show.
Thursday, November 12, 2026: Steve Murphy replaced Castronovo at the Cleveland show.
Season Trajectory
Castronovo's return to Journey in 2021 brought a stable drum seat back to the band after earlier lineup changes. The current run of fill-ins, including Murphy's debut in Cleveland, interrupts that stretch during the late-2026 tour.
Fans attending upcoming Journey tour dates should check whether Castronovo or a substitute will be on drums, since the lineup has changed on short notice several times this fall. Ticket holders can confirm the performing lineup with the venue or the band before the show.
The takeaway
Lineup changes on a touring band can happen with little warning, so fans who want a specific musician should check tour updates close to the date. Murphy's Cleveland debut shows how a substitute can step in while the regular drummer is unavailable.
Further reading
For more on the band behind the lineup change, see Rock coverage across the site.
