Roger Daltrey and Zak Starkey during The Who’s concert at Royal Albert Hall on March 27, 2025.
Critics claimed Keith Moon to be a “sloppy drummer.” But the legendary musician’s performing style had nothing on the way the departure and now- sudden return of Zak Starkey to The Who’s touring lineup has been handled. In a lengthy statement released at around 11 a.m. ET today (April 19, 2025) on the band’s Facebook page, Pete Townshend announced that all has been resolved and took responsibility “for some of the confusion.”
The post was headlined with an poor attempt at lightheartedness: “News Flash! Who Backs Zak!” It reads, in its entirety: “He’s not being asked to step down from The Who. There have been some communication issues, personal and private on all sides, that needed to be dealt with, and these have been aired happily.
“Roger and I would like Zak to tighten up his latest evolved drumming style to accommodate our non-orchestral line up and he has readily agreed. I take responsibility for some of the confusion. Our TCT [Teenage Cancer Trust] shows at the Royal Albert Hall were a little tricky for me. I thought that four and a half weeks would be enough time to recover completely from having a complete knee replacement. (Why did I ever think I could land on my knees?) Wrong!
“Maybe we didn’t put enough time into sound checks, giving us problems on stage. The sound in the centre of the stage is always the most difficult to work with. Roger did nothing wrong but fiddle with his in-ear monitors. Zak made a few mistakes and he has apologised. Albeit with a rubber duck drummer.
We are a family, this blew up very quickly and got too much oxygen. It’s over. We move forward now with optimism and fire in our bellies.
“As for Roger, fans can enjoy his forthcoming solo shows with his fabulous drummer, Scott Devours, who it was rumoured might replace Zak in The Who and has always been supportive of the band. I owe Scott an apology for not crushing that rumour before it spread. He has been hurt by this. I promise to buy him a very long drink and give him a hug.”
Starkey had responded to the surprising revelation on April 15 that he and The Who had [briefly] parted ways. The news came just weeks after the band gave a pair of performances at the annual Teenage Cancer Trust benefit concerts on March 27 and 30 in London. Starkey, 59, is the eldest child of Ringo Starr and his late, former wife, Maureen. The news of his “sacking” was first reported by The Mirror, which quoted an unnamed spokesman: “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 same insider added, “It’s a little acrimonious to say the least.”
In one of classic rock’s great stories, The Who’s founding drummer, Keith Moon, gifted Starkey, his godson, with his first drum kit. Moon was the group’s founding drummer in 1964 and remained until he died at age 32 in 1978. He was soon replaced by Faces alum Kenney Jones for several albums and tours. Starkey has performed and recorded with The Who since 1996, initially joining them for their tour to once again celebrate Quadrophenia, decades after its release. Though they have recorded very little in that time, and taken significant periods off in between tours, Starkey, theoretically anyway, more than doubled Moon’s tenure with the group.
One day after the initial news broke of his now-brief departure, Starkey expressed his surprise and sadness, in a statement to Variety. “I’m very proud of my near thirty years with The Who. Filling the shoes of my Godfather, ‘uncle Keith’ has been the biggest honor and I remain their biggest fan. 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 with Noel Gallagher in May and finishing my autobiography written solely by me. 29 years at any job is a good old run, and I wish them the best.”
Zak Starkey (Ringo Starr’s son) watches Keith Moon playing on the drum kit that Keith bought for Zak’s birthday. pic.twitter.com/w7kkjBVMAE
— Classic Rock In Pics (@crockpics) August 6, 2022
Watch Starkey perform a pair of favorites from Quadrophenia with The Who at Royal Albert Hall in March 2025
He was behind the kit for such high-profile performances as their phenomenal set at The Concert For New York City in 2001 and their 2010 halftime performance in Miami for Super Bowl XLIV. Starkey has also served as drummer for Oasis and was said to be rumored to be performing at the group’s big 2025 reunion tour.
Other than the pair of March concerts in London, The Who have only announced two other concerts for this year. Both are in Italy in August. Their catalog, including their deluxe box sets, are available in the U.S. here and in the U.K. here.
Related: Our review of The Who in 2022, with Starkey
- Drummer Zak Starkey (Ringo’s Son) is Back With The Who - 04/19/2025
- Feelin’ Alright: 1967-1972 British Music Box Set Coming - 04/18/2025
- Eric Clapton ‘Unplugged’ Returns With Expanded Edition - 04/18/2025
4 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationThanks a lot, Mr. Starkey!
I’m sure there’s probably a story to be told here, but I will tell you that I had the pleasure of seeing The Who several times with Zak behind the kit, and he is a beast. Also saw him when he toured with The All-Starr band. Best of luck to him…..
Zac is a great drummer and will be missed by Roger and Pete and all the Who fans.
Keith was a hard act to follow but Zac is truly an amazing drummer and I’m sorry he is no longer playing with the Who
I wish him well for the future.
seems harsh. I was at the Thursday show and whilst there were some sound problems around Rogers earpiece mic it didn’t detract from a great show.