The Who splits with Zak Starkey, again: Drummer challenges band’s justification
For the British drummer Zak Starkey, the past few months playing with rock group the Who have been incredibly busy and exhilarating.
On Sunday, Starkey, who was previously dismissed in April only to be reinstated afterwards due to some communication problems, declared that the group behind “Baba O’Riley” had let him go again. The long-time drummer and son of Ringo Starr shared his perspective on the separation via Instagram, refuting the band’s independent statement regarding his departure.
On Sunday, The Who, along with guitarist and songwriter Pete Townshend, announced that after numerous years of exceptional drumming by Zak, it’s time for a shift.
The post stated that Zak is currently juggling numerous new projects and offered him well wishes. Moreover, it mentioned that Scott Devours will take over for the rest of the band’s final performances.
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Over the last two years, I’ve had a great time, whether it was on or off the stage, with them, as Freese shared. I back their decision about what they believe is best for the band.
59-year-old Starkey appended his personal commentary on top of the band’s statement for his social media post. In the caption, he asserted that he was requested to divulge his own decision to depart from The Who in order to focus on other endeavors. However, he clarified that this statement was false, as he holds a deep affection for The Who and would never choose to leave them.
He said, “Therefore, I didn’t utter that statement because it would have been unfair to all the incredible individuals who supported me during those chaotic weeks if I had left The Who as well.
Starkey, who’s previously played with bands such as Oasis, the Icicle Works, and others, started performing with The Who in the mid-1990s. He mentioned that he seldom encountered conflicts while managing his responsibilities with the band and other projects, and further added that the group tends to have a limited touring schedule, often described as “sporadic” or “minimalist.
As a devoted moviegoer, I’d like to clarify something about my involvement with the legendary band The Who. Contrary to any misconception, my other musical ventures never posed an issue or conflict within the band. The myth that I left The Who is simply unfounded; I never did. My affection for The Who and every member of it remains as strong as ever.
A representative for the Who did not immediately respond to The Times’ request for comment.
Entertainment & Arts
On Saturday, Alice in Chains released a statement explaining that they were forced to cancel a scheduled concert following the termination of a previous show during their tour.
On their second Instagram post of Sunday, the band announced that they are moving towards retirement, as their former drummer, who is younger, needs to focus all his energy on making new ventures successful.
When The Who confirmed Starkey’s return, Townshend expressed in a blog post on their official website that the drummer should refine his current drumming style to suit our un-orchestral setup, which he has willingly accepted. He also revealed additional insights about the sound problems that apparently preceded Starkey’s initial dismissal.
In simpler terms, “Roger Daltrey, one of The Who’s co-founders, didn’t cause any issues, but he adjusted his ear monitors. Zak Starkey, the drummer, made some mistakes during sound checks and he has acknowledged them. However, Pete Townshend humorously referred to him as a ‘rubber duck drummer’.
He said, “We’ve become like a family, things escalated rapidly and took on more than they should have. It’s come to an end. Now, we press ahead with hope and passion burning within us.
In August, The Who begins their North American “Song Is Over” Farewell tour. They are scheduled to visit the Hollywood Bowl twice, specifically on September 17th and 19th.
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2025-05-20 02:31