Journey bring back Steve Smith

Journey have recruited former drummer Steve Smith in place of Deen Castronovo, who was fired earlier this year.

Smith, who last played with Neal Schon and co in 1998, will take part in a four-month US tour with the Doobie Brothers and Dave Mason, which kicks off in May next year.

Before that he’ll take part in Schon’s solo tour of Japan, in support of solo album Vortex, which features his work.

Castronovo was dismissed after a drug-fuelled domestic violence incident that led to a four-year probation order. He admitted he found the move “heartbreaking” but that the band had “done the right thing.”

Journey had been working with stand-in Omar Hakim until Smith’s return was confirmed.

Schon says: “I’m so looking forward to the very exciting 2016 we have planned. We are back to it with Vortex and Journey!”

It’ll be Smith’s third stint with the band after his initial seven-year run ended in 1985, followed by his three-year return a decade later.

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Freelance Online News Contributor

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.