Drummer Zak Starkey (Ringo’s Son) Responds to Sacking, After Decades, by The Who
by Best Classic Bands Staff
Roger Daltrey and Zak Starkey during The Who’s concert at Royal Albert Hall on March 27, 2025.
Zak Starkey has responded to the surprising news on April 15, 2025, that The Who have parted ways with their longtime touring drummer. 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 news broke, 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
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.