The Who Fire Drummer Zak Starkey AGAIN

Legendary rock band The Who experienced a significant shake-up with their longtime drummer, Zak Starkey, being fired for the second time in just over a month. Starkey, the son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, has been a staple of the band since 1996. The announcement of his departure was made through a statement by Pete Townshend, the band’s guitarist, and main songwriter, who indicated the need for change due to Starkey’s involvement in several new projects. Despite Townshend’s mention of the decision being mutual, Starkey insisted that he was fired and claimed he was asked to lie about resigning voluntarily.

This is not the first time Starkey’s position has been in the spotlight. Last month, reports surfaced of Starkey being fired after the band’s performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall, which reportedly did not meet The Who’s expectations. However, just days later, Starkey was reinstated following some “communication issues” that were resolved internally, as noted by Townshend. This back-and-forth has now concluded with the final decision of Starkey’s departure, just as The Who is gearing up for their farewell North American tour, marking nearly six decades of performance history.

Zak Starkey has consistently shown a dedication to his craft, having been introduced to drumming by the band’s original drummer, Keith Moon, who was also Starkey’s godfather. Townshend’s recent statement emphasized the poignancy of this moment in the band’s history and acknowledged Starkey’s future projects. Starkey himself has been involved with numerous music endeavors outside The Who, including working with bands like Oasis and his supergroup, Mantra of the Cosmos.

The decision to replace Starkey emerged just before The Who’s farewell tour, a significant milestone for the band. Scott Devours, who has a history of performing with The Who as a substitute drummer, will fill Starkey’s position during this final series of shows. Devours has also collaborated with Roger Daltrey, The Who’s lead singer, on his solo projects, which bolsters his credentials to take on this new role.

While Starkey expressed his love and respect for the band and clarified that his external projects have not conflicted with his commitments to The Who, the decision stands as a significant shift in the band’s lineup. Townshend’s statement about moving forward with “optimism and fire” in their bellies marks a forward-looking moment for the band’s concluding chapter.

The dynamics within The Who have continually evolved, but the main duo of Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey remains. As they prepare for what could be their final performances, the decision to part ways with Starkey underlines the importance of their adaptability and the delicate balance they strive to maintain between honoring their legacy and moving forward with necessary changes. For Starkey, who maintains strong ties to the music industry, this shift opens doors to focus on his contemporaneous music projects, including the collaboration with supergroup figures like Shaun Ryder and Noel Gallagher.