The Who part ways with drummer Zak Starkey after 29 years
Following two performances at the Royal Albert Hall in March, The Who have reportedly parted ways with drummer Zak Starkey. The musician has been with the band since their Quadrophenia tour in 1996.
The exact reason for the split is, at the time of writing, unclear. A spokesperson for The Who shared of his departure, “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.”
In contrast, another source reportedly told The Daily Mirror that Starkey has been sacked by the band, explaining, “It’s a little acrimonious to say the least.” His last performance with the legendary rock outfit occurred on March 30, when The Who performed at the Royal Albert Hall in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity that has long been championed by the band’s 81-year-old frontman, Roger Daltrey.
Starkey, who is the son of The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, first worked with Who bassist John Entwistle on his solo studio album The Rock in 1985. Following that, he performed on a tour with Entwistle and Daltrey in 1994, before officially joining The Who in 1996.
Following the tragic death of The Who’s original drummer, Keith Moon, in 1978, the role was taken on by former Small Faces drummer Kenney Jones, who was later replaced by Simon Phillips in 1989. When Starkey was recruited in 1996, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey claimed the drummer was the best fit for the band since Keith Moon’s death.
Alongside performing with The Who, Starkey also performed extracurricular stints with the likes of Johnny Marr, The Lightning Seeds, and Oasis. There was some speculation that Starkey might return to Oasis for their upcoming reunion tour this summer, but it has since been revealed that Joey Waronker will be taking on that role.
It is unclear who, if anybody, Starkey will be replaced by in The Who. During an interview last year, Daltrey admitted, “I’m looking towards the end of a singing career.” Hence, it is not out of the question that The Who could fold entirely in the near future.
Far Out has reached out to Starkey’s representatives for comment.
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