The Who have reportedly parted ways with their longtime drummer Zak Starkey following tension during their performances at the Royal Albert Hall. The news comes amid reports of dissatisfaction with Starkey’s drumming and disagreements between band members. According to a statement from a spokesperson for the band, The Who’s “collective decision to part ways with Zak” followed their recent round of shows at the prestigious venue.
“They have nothing but admiration for him and wish him the very best for his future,” the spokesperson added. Another source described the split as “acrimonious to say the least.”
Roger Daltrey, the band’s frontman, reportedly complained several times about Starkey’s drumming at the Royal Albert Hall, accusing him of “overplaying.” During the gig on March 30, Daltrey addressed the issue publicly, saying, “To sing that song I do need to hear the key, and I can’t. All I’ve got is drums going boom, boom, boom.
The Who and Zak Starkey split
I can’t sing to that. I’m sorry guys.”
Starkey alluded to his firing on social media, joking that Daltrey wanted to “zak the drummer.” In a post featuring a picture of himself with Daltrey, Starkey hinted at the tension, stating that the band’s lead singer and principal songwriter was unhappy with his performance.
The split, though currently unconfirmed by both The Who and Starkey, marks nearly 30 years since Starkey, son of Ringo Starr, joined the band as their full-time drummer in 1996. A replacement for Zak Starkey in The Who has yet to be announced. In other news related to the band, Daltrey expressed relief at maintaining his vocal abilities, referencing the band’s 1969 rock opera character Tommy, saying, “Thank God I’ve still got my voice.
If I lost that, I’ll go full Tommy.”
For further updates, stay tuned.
