The Who part ways with drummer of 30 years who is son of Beatles legend

Importance Score: 35 / 100 🔵

The Who Reportedly Part Ways with Drummer Zak Starkey

Veteran rock icons The Who have reportedly decided to part company with drummer Zak Starkey, who has been a member of the band for nearly three decades. Founding members Roger Daltrey, 81, and Pete Townshend, 79, are understood to have made the decision to separate from Starkey, 59, following their recent performances at the Royal Albert Hall in March. Starkey, son of Beatles legend Ringo Starr, 84, had been the group’s full-time drummer since their 1996 Quadrophenia Tour, becoming a long-standing fixture in The Who‘s lineup.

Band Spokesperson Confirms Departure

“The band reached a collective agreement to discontinue working with Zak after the recent series of shows at the Royal Albert Hall. They hold him in high regard and extend their best wishes for his future endeavors,” a representative for The Who informed The Mirror. Sources cited by the publication indicate that Zak Starkey is allegedly displeased with the decision. “It’s rather contentious, to put it mildly,” they stated. It is suggested that concerns arose regarding Starkey’s drumming during the March performances, which were held to benefit Daltrey’s Teenage Cancer Trust charity. Representatives for The Who have been contacted for comment.

Starkey’s Cryptic Social Media Posts

The news of his departure appears to have surprised Zak Starkey, who, just days prior on April 12th, shared an image on his Instagram account featuring guitarist Pete Townshend embracing him onstage. The caption simply read: “What a guy.”

However, on the same day, Starkey also posted a rambling message hinting at prior awareness of the band’s dissatisfaction. Alongside an image of himself and lead vocalist Roger Daltrey accompanied by a “Daily Who Breaking News” banner, he wrote a caption entirely in capital letters.

“HEARD TODAY FROM INSIDE SOURCE WITHIN WHO HORSES NOSE THAT TOGER DAKTREY (stet) LEAD SINGER AND PRINCIPAL SONGWRITER OF THE GROUP UNHAPPY WITH ZAK THE DRUMMER’S PERFORMANCE AT ALBERT HALL A FEW WEEKS AGO. IS BRINGING FORMAL CHARGES OF OVERPLAYING AND IS LITERALLY GOING TO ZAK THE DRUMMER AND BRING ON A RESERVE FROM ‘THE BURWASH SKIFFLE ‘N’ TICKLE GLEE CLUB HARMONY WITHOUT EMPATHY ALLSTARS’. THIS HAS BEEN CONFORMED BY WHOSE (stet) LONG TIME MANAGER WILLYA YOUWONTYOUKNOW,” (sic) he penned.

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Zak Starkey’s Musical History

Beyond The Who, Zak Starkey also performed with Oasis, joining in 2004 following the exit of long-term drummer Alan White before the band disbanded in 2009. His extensive career includes collaborations with esteemed artists such as The Smiths’ Johnny Marr, The Icicle Works, The Lightning Seeds, and The Semantics.

Roger Daltrey’s Health Update During Albert Hall Shows

During The Who’s Royal Albert Hall concerts, which are believed to be the source of the reported discord between the band and Zak Starkey, frontman Roger Daltrey shared a significant health update with the audience, stating that “he’s going blind.”

He acknowledged that his purple-tinted glasses served a practical function beyond mere style. “The joys of aging,” he remarked, before disclosing his personal health challenges. “Not only am I losing my hearing, I’m also now losing my sight.”

“Fortunately, I still have my voice, because if I lose that, I’ll have the full Tommy!” he quipped, referencing The Who’s iconic rock opera.


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