EntertainmentPosted at: Apr 17 2025 5:24PM


The Who fires long-time drummer Zak Starkey over Royal Albert Hall performance

London, Apr 17 (UNI) The iconic British rock band The Who have fired their longtime drummer Zak Starkey – the son of The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr -- over what appears to be a dispute over his playing at the group’s concert last month at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
The band is well known for its experimentation with various styles, such as hard rock, power pop, rock’n roll, and even the proto versions of progressive rock, punk rock, and heavy metal, and are best known for developing rock opera with albums such as ‘Tommy’.
A representative for the band speaking to The Guardian suggested the decision was mutual and came in the wake of their performance for the Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT).
“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.”
The band’s lead singer and co-founder Roger Daltrey (81) had expressed his displeasure with Starkey’s playing at the TCT, after he had to pause their final song ‘The Song is Over’ and told the audience “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. I can’t sing to that. I’m sorry guys.”
Starkey, who has been with the band since 1996, filling in the footsteps of the legendary drummer Keith Moon, said that there were no hard feelings between him and the rest of the band, calling his time playing in the band his “biggest honour”.
In his statement to Variety, Starkey said: "I’m very proud of my near thirty years with The Who. Filling the shoes of my Godfather, ‘uncle Keith’ has been the biggest honour and I remain their biggest fan", he added, referencing original Who drummer Keith Moon, who died in 1978 and was a close friend of Zak’s father Ringo Starr and a mentor to him.
“They’ve been like family to me. In January, I suffered a serious medical emergency with blood clots in my right bass drum calf. This is now completely healed and does not affect my drumming or running. After playing those songs with the band for so many decades, I’m surprised and saddened anyone would have an issue with my performance that night, but what can you do?”
“I plan to take some much-needed time off with my family, and focus on the release of ‘Domino Bones’ by Mantra Of The Cosmos (his own supergroup with members from Oasis, Ride, and Happy Mondays) with Noel Gallagher in May, and finishing my autobiography written solely by me,” he concluded. “29 years at any job is a good old run, and I wish them the best.”

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