The Who have fired drummer Zak Starkey again: “Time has come for change”
After firing and re-hiring their long-standing drummer in April, The Who have finally confirmed, again, that Zak Starkey is no longer part of the band.
The shocking news comes by way of an Instagram post on guitarist and songwriter Pete Townshend’s personal account. The statement, which is written on top of a picture of Townshend wearing a red beanie, reads: “After many years of great work on drums from Zak, the time has come for change.”
It continues: “A poignant time. Zak has lots of new projects in hand and I wish him the best.”
Townshend then reveals, “Scott Devours, who has worked with Roger’s solo band, will join The Who for our final shows. Please welcome him.”
Townshend here references their upcoming North American Farewell Tour. Far Out attended the press conference and noted the curious lack of mention of the saga. The band refused to take questions from the room and pre-selected questions that steered clear of the controversy, seeming to know this was coming.
In April, after a public on-stage struggle at a charity show at the Royal Albert Hall, the world, and Zak Starkey himself, presumed the drummer of 29 years had been fired from the band. A spokesperson for The Who even confirmed his departure at the time, stating, “The band made a collective decision to part ways with Zak after this round of shows at the Royal Albert Hall. They have nothing but admiration for him and wish him the very best for his future.”
However, taking to Instagram on April 19th, Townshend shared a selfie of himself smiling along with the caption: “News Flash! Who Zak Back! Zak is not being asked to step down from The Who. There have been some communication issues, personal and private on all sides, that needed to be dealt with, and these have been aired happily.”
He also then apologised to Devours, who had been at the centre of rumours last month that suggested he would be replacing Starkey, which is, of course, what has now happened: “I owe Scott an apology for not crushing that rumour before it spread. He has been hurt by this. I promise to buy him a very long drink and give him a hug.”
Starkey has been with the band for 29 years. The son of The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr first worked with Who bassist John Entwistle on his solo studio album The Rock in 1985. He then performed on a tour with Entwistle and Daltrey in 1994, before officially joining The Who in 1996.
The Who’s upcoming farewell tour will take place in August and September. Notable stops on the road include visits to iconic venues such as Madison Square Garden in New York, the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, and Fenway Park in Boston. They’ll play their final date on September 28th in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Starkey is yet to comment on his removal from the band.
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