Berlin show - Cancelled due to a Medical Emergency

[Don]

I hope they make doubly sure he's COMPLETELY out of the woods. A guy where I work had a heart attack 2 weeks ago. They took him to the hospital where he recovered. After a week and a half, they were ready to discharge him. He died that day as he was getting ready to leave the hospital. Fairly young guy too.

Only 4 shows left before they take a two week break. I wonder if they just call the European tour done, just to be on the safe side.

[Tito]

I don't know why it was thought to be Deen, but that's who was being discussed on Arnel's site. But it had not been officially confirmed.. Arnel left a message he was okay earlier. Someone is trying to get in contact with him and confirm who it was.

Arnel would be best not to take those calls. he doesn't want to be taken out of context on this issue (and it will happen). He's not the leader of the band anyway, it's not his place to say who it is.

Plus he would be in violation of HIPPA if he says anything. Then again, he's out of the U.S.

[stevew2]

Word is it's Deen.

According to a Berlin friend, it was him. A heart problem of some sort.

I hope he's ok. I like Deen and he is a good person (no bullshit, I'm being serious this time).

If it puts him out of commission for awhile, call Mugs.

One on stage is enough,id throw up if two from the same "batch" was on stage

[StevePerryHair]

I don't know why it was thought to be Deen, but that's who was being discussed on Arnel's site. But it had not been officially confirmed.. Arnel left a message he was okay earlier. Someone is trying to get in contact with him and confirm who it was.

Arnel would be best not to take those calls. he doesn't want to be taken out of context on this issue (and it will happen). He's not the leader of the band anyway, it's not his place to say who it is.

Plus he would be in violation of HIPPA if he says anything. Then again, he's out of the U.S.

Even if he was in the U.S., you cant' be in violation of anything if you aren't an employee of the hospital.

[Playitloudforme]

Deen is in my prayers for a fast and complete recovery.

[Don]

I don't know why it was thought to be Deen, but that's who was being discussed on Arnel's site. But it had not been officially confirmed.. Arnel left a message he was okay earlier. Someone is trying to get in contact with him and confirm who it was.

Arnel would be best not to take those calls. he doesn't want to be taken out of context on this issue (and it will happen). He's not the leader of the band anyway, it's not his place to say who it is.

Plus he would be in violation of HIPPA if he says anything. Then again, he's out of the U.S.

Even if he was in the U.S., you cant' be in violation of anything if you aren't an employee of the hospital.

Deen's name did come from him though, when it probably wasn't meant to. I'm glad Neal quickly verified it once the cat was let out of the bag.

[StevePerryHair]

I don't know why it was thought to be Deen, but that's who was being discussed on Arnel's site. But it had not been officially confirmed.. Arnel left a message he was okay earlier. Someone is trying to get in contact with him and confirm who it was.

Arnel would be best not to take those calls. he doesn't want to be taken out of context on this issue (and it will happen). He's not the leader of the band anyway, it's not his place to say who it is.

Plus he would be in violation of HIPPA if he says anything. Then again, he's out of the U.S.

Even if he was in the U.S., you cant' be in violation of anything if you aren't an employee of the hospital.

Deen's name did come from him though, when it probably wasn't meant to. I'm glad Neal quickly verified it once the cat was let out of the bag.

Yeah, and I'm sure they were going to release it eventually anyway, but probably wanted to notify his family first. I'm sure the last thing they'd want to do is read about a health issue on a web board.

[KenTheDude]

Hope this is a minor speed bump and he has a speedy recovery. Deen is an awesome person and deserves the best.

On a side note, I don't ever recall Neal missing a show. In the almost 40 year career of his, I've never heard of him not being able to perform.

[Rhiannon]

I hope they make doubly sure he's COMPLETELY out of the woods. A guy where I work had a heart attack 2 weeks ago. They took him to the hospital where he recovered. After a week and a half, they were ready to discharge him. He died that day as he was getting ready to leave the hospital. Fairly young guy too.

Only 4 shows left before they take a two week break. I wonder if they just call the European tour done, just to be on the safe side.

Guess that all depends on the degree of the problem. Drumming is cardio intense, I'd at least hope they'd consider it if recommended by the physicians over there. Prayers for Deen regardless... hope he's on his feet in no time.

[Voyager]

Ross...?
he's been looking pretty frail the past few weeks

He's looked that way for the past 35 years.

[Rhiannon]

Ross...?
he's been looking pretty frail the past few weeks

He's looked that way for the past 350 years.

Fixed.

[Deb]

Ross...?
he's been looking pretty frail the past few weeks

He's looked that way for the past 35 years.

[Voyager]

It's hard not to speculate since Deen has admittedly had drug and alcohol problems in the past.

http://www.melodicrock.com/interviews/j ... onovo.html

Drummer Deen Castronovo talks about his part in the new Journey album as well as his fight with drugs and alcohol...

A couple of things…first drumming and then vocally. This is a three hour show. With the stamina involved - how do you keep up with it?
I'll tell you something…four or five years ago I wouldn't have been able to do it. I was pretty messed up on drugs and alcohol and the band had an intervention with me and got me on the straight and narrow.
It's been great, I lost 60 pounds and that is the only way I could do it – off the drugs and alcohol and with the weight loss. I am able to do 3 hours with no problem.

I remember seeing you backstage in 2003 and you had lost a lot of weight.
Yeah, and a lot of people thought oh no, he's relapsed…he's back on drugs...but no, I just stopped eating crap! haha
I really watch what I eat now. I'm 40 years old now and you just can't keep going to McDonalds and Burger King – you just can't do it.
Especially now, doing this kind of work and traveling I was living proof that Super Size Me is real!
It's a lot better now….fish and chicken and power bars/slim fast – nothing fun!

Plus, these guys have been playing in 100 degree weather... that would take its toll on anyone who was doing a 3-hour aerobic workout in that kind of heat. I'm a drummer myself, and I have almost passed out several times at really hot gigs during our fourth hour of playing.

[bluejeangirl76]

Ross...?
he's been looking pretty frail the past few weeks

He's looked that way for the past 35 years.

Ok, so we can joke now? I mean, we know which band member was ill and we hear he should be ok... so we can have fun now right? Because I'm starting to cramp. I can't keep them in anymore.

("Someone is ill? Is Neal's face rejecting the botox?" "What happened, did Jon get his period?")

[Voyager]

Okay my bad. I can feel bad for Deen and still joke about Ross at the same time. No offense intended.

[bluejeangirl76]

Okay my bad. I can feel bad for Deen and still joke about Ross at the same time. No offense intended.

None taken, I was looking for permission to make jokes! I wish Deen the best, absolutely, but I use humor to mask grief, so all the while I'm busting on the rest of them, I'm crying like (ok, I promise not to post that picture) on the inside.

[Don]

Okay my bad. I can feel bad for Deen and still joke about Ross at the same time. No offense intended.

None taken, I was looking for permission to make jokes! I wish Deen the best, absolutely, but I use humor to mask grief, so all the while I'm busting on the rest of them, I'm crying like (ok, I promise not to post that picture) on the inside.

It's not like Ross hasn't been representing the walking dead anyway over the last couple of years.

[Voyager]

Okay my bad. I can feel bad for Deen and still joke about Ross at the same time. No offense intended.

None taken, I was looking for permission to make jokes! I wish Deen the best, absolutely, but I use humor to mask grief, so all the while I'm busting on the rest of them, I'm crying like (ok, I promise not to post that picture) on the inside.

Oh, okay. I thought you meant it wasn't time to make jokes and that you were cramping over grief for Deen. Since you don't really care, go ahead and make your jokes while the rest of us are sobbing unconsolably.

LOL - JK

[StevePerryHair]

Okay my bad. I can feel bad for Deen and still joke about Ross at the same time. No offense intended.

You must have missed the two jokes she had under that statement

[Don]

Okay my bad. I can feel bad for Deen and still joke about Ross at the same time. No offense intended.

None taken, I was looking for permission to make jokes! I wish Deen the best, absolutely, but I use humor to mask grief, so all the while I'm busting on the rest of them, I'm crying like (ok, I promise not to post that picture) on the inside.

Oh, okay. I thought you meant it wasn't time to make jokes and that you were cramping over grief for Deen. Since you don't really care, go ahead and make your jokes while the rest of us are sobbing unconsolably.

LOL - JK

I thought she was alluding to being on the rag.

[Bryter Layter]

I don't know why it was thought to be Deen, but that's who was being discussed on Arnel's site. But it had not been officially confirmed.. Arnel left a message he was okay earlier. Someone is trying to get in contact with him and confirm who it was.

Arnel would be best not to take those calls. he doesn't want to be taken out of context on this issue (and it will happen). He's not the leader of the band anyway, it's not his place to say who it is.

Plus he would be in violation of HIPPA if he says anything. Then again, he's out of the U.S.

Even if he was in the U.S., you cant' be in violation of anything if you aren't an employee of the hospital.

Deen's name did come from him though, when it probably wasn't meant to. I'm glad Neal quickly verified it once the cat was let out of the bag.

I'm not sure when Arnel mentioned it but my friend called at past 6 (DE time)/12 PM EST complaining about a venue change. She then called back after few minutes mentioning the cancellation due to Deen's problem. They probably announced the reason at the venue.

[Jana]

I don't know why it was thought to be Deen, but that's who was being discussed on Arnel's site. But it had not been officially confirmed.. Arnel left a message he was okay earlier. Someone is trying to get in contact with him and confirm who it was.

Arnel would be best not to take those calls. he doesn't want to be taken out of context on this issue (and it will happen). He's not the leader of the band anyway, it's not his place to say who it is.

Plus he would be in violation of HIPPA if he says anything. Then again, he's out of the U.S.

Even if he was in the U.S., you cant' be in violation of anything if you aren't an employee of the hospital.

Deen's name did come from him though, when it probably wasn't meant to. I'm glad Neal quickly verified it once the cat was let out of the bag.

Where do you dream up these scenarios? It's fascinating.

[brandonx76]

Thoughts and prayers going out to Deen. Get well brother! God bless.

[Don]

I don't know why it was thought to be Deen, but that's who was being discussed on Arnel's site. But it had not been officially confirmed.. Arnel left a message he was okay earlier. Someone is trying to get in contact with him and confirm who it was.

Arnel would be best not to take those calls. he doesn't want to be taken out of context on this issue (and it will happen). He's not the leader of the band anyway, it's not his place to say who it is.

Plus he would be in violation of HIPPA if he says anything. Then again, he's out of the U.S.

Even if he was in the U.S., you cant' be in violation of anything if you aren't an employee of the hospital.

Deen's name did come from him though, when it probably wasn't meant to. I'm glad Neal quickly verified it once the cat was let out of the bag.

Where do you dream up these scenarios? It's fascinating.

Are you talking to me or Tito?

[annpea]

GET,WELL SOON DEEN!!..... You know you got to beat those drums like they stole something.

[brywool]

I don't know why it was thought to be Deen, but that's who was being discussed on Arnel's site. But it had not been officially confirmed.. Arnel left a message he was okay earlier. Someone is trying to get in contact with him and confirm who it was.

Arnel would be best not to take those calls. he doesn't want to be taken out of context on this issue (and it will happen). He's not the leader of the band anyway, it's not his place to say who it is.

Plus he would be in violation of HIPPA if he says anything. Then again, he's out of the U.S.

Even if he was in the U.S., you cant' be in violation of anything if you aren't an employee of the hospital.

Deen's name did come from him though, when it probably wasn't meant to. I'm glad Neal quickly verified it once the cat was let out of the bag.

Where do you dream up these scenarios? It's fascinating.

Hey, Arnie woulda called ME if anythin' was up. We're tight. We go ice skating together all the time and sometimes I let him beat me at Beatles Monopoly. He's muh best friend! We're like brothuhs!

[Don]

Yep, I made it all up.

[Ehwmatt]

I hope they put him through a stress test, EKG etc... he could have had a minor heart attack for all he knows. Definitely nothing to fuck around with. Plus Neal was talking about how hot their shows were... that's not a good combo if you're in need of angioplasty/bypass and you drum and sing like Deen does every night.

For all those linking the booze and drugs to the heart condition... maybe, maybe not. Hereditary heart conditions don't necessarily care too much what you do lifestyle wise... hence the stories of early 40s fitness nuts dropping over dead on their morning jogs. We have severe heart problems on one side of my family, a few of the older males in my family have been told, after trying in vain to lower cholesterol through exercise (this was before Lipitor etc came into bigtime play), that they could eat grass and run 10 miles a day to no avail. None of them were overweight or out of shape in the least, either. Just bad luck. I'm not ruling Deen's substance past out, but really, what's the difference what caused it? No need to speculate when the guy's hospitalized...

[Don]

I hope they put him through a stress test, EKG etc... he could have had a minor heart attack for all he knows. Definitely nothing to fuck around with. Plus Neal was talking about how hot their shows were... that's not a good combo if you're in need of angioplasty/bypass and you drum and sing like Deen does every night.

For all those linking the booze and drugs to the heart condition... maybe, maybe not. Hereditary heart conditions don't necessarily care too much what you do lifestyle wise... hence the stories of early 40s fitness nuts dropping over dead on their morning jogs. We have severe heart problems on one side of my family, a few of the older males in my family have been told, after trying in vain to lower cholesterol through exercise (this was before Lipitor etc came into bigtime play), that they could eat grass and run 10 miles a day to no avail. None of them were overweight or out of shape in the least, either. Just bad luck. I'm not ruling Deen's substance past out, but really, what's the difference what caused it? No need to speculate when the guy's hospitalized...

I guess we'll find out soon enough. I think Deen is a very integral part of the band especially with his abilty to sing the high harmonies. They need to really make sure he can make a go of it. There first stateside show is July 16. Cancel this week's shows and let him rest up, don't wait for the doctors opinion about him finishing the concerts this week.

[brywool]

It's amazing that he can drum the way he does and not be in perfect shape. That's gotta take some stamina.