Deen Castronovo

drums (drum set) · lead vocals · percussion

b. 1964 in Westminster

Deen Joseph Castronovo (born August 17, 1964) is an American drummer and singer best known for being a member of hard rock acts Bad English, Hardline and Journey. He plays drums and sings for the bands Journey, Generation Radio, and Revolution Saints. He has also played for Ozzy Osbourne, Steve Vai, Paul Rodgers, and GZR, with Black Sabbath's Geezer Butler.

Early life

Deen Castronovo was born in the city of Westminster, California and started drumming at the age of 6. He grew up in Salem, Oregon, where he attended South Salem High School. Deen cites Steve Smith, Neil Peart, Terry Bozzio, Peter Criss, John Bonham, Alex Van Halen, Kiss, Rush, Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, Phil Collins and AC/DC as musical influences.

Personal life

Castronovo was arrested on June 14, 2015, and charged with fourth-degree assault and menacing after police say he physically injured a woman. As a result, he was dropped immediately from upcoming Journey performances and ultimately replaced by Omar Hakim on the band's 2015 tour. On June 29, 2015, Castronovo was indicted by a Marion County grand jury on felony charges of rape, assault, sexual abuse, unlawful use of a dangerous weapon, and contempt of court (violation of terms of bail after the June 14 arrest). With nine of the original charges dismissed, Castronovo pleaded guilty to six charges and received a suspended sentence and four years of probation. Castronovo has since recovered from addiction and states he is sober. He said in 2023, "I'm doing great, clean and sober, working hard, doing what I need to do – and I put God first, family second. My job is third, where before it was all the other way around."