Zak Starkey Confirms Departure from The Who After Nearly Three Decades
Zak Starkey, well-known as the drummer for iconic rock band The Who, has officially acknowledged his exit from the group following recent speculation about his status. This announcement comes after nearly 30 years of membership, which began when he joined as a full-time drummer in 1996.
Official Statement and Background
On April 15, 2023, a spokesperson for The Who revealed that the decision to part ways with Starkey was made collectively by the band after their recent performances at the Royal Albert Hall. The spokesperson expressed admiration for Starkey, wishing him well in his future endeavors. However, sources also indicated that the parting was “acrimonious to say the least,” and noted concerns regarding the quality of Starkey’s drumming during recent shows.
The Drummer’s Own Words
In a statement to Rolling Stone, Starkey reflected on his nearly thirty years with the band: “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 also mentioned a serious medical issue he faced earlier in the year, which involved blood clots in his leg. Starkey assured that this condition is now fully healed and does not affect his performance. He added, “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?”
Performance Controversy
Adding to the debate over his departure, a report from the Metro highlighted comments made by The Who’s frontman, Roger Daltrey, during a performance. Daltrey had openly criticized Starkey for “overplaying” the drums, suggesting that it hindered his ability to perform vocally. “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,” he stated, indicating that Starkey’s drumming overshadowed the performance.
Future Plans
Starkey plans to take some time off with family and focus on new projects, including the release of his single “Domino Bones” with Mantra Of The Cosmos and completing his autobiography. Despite the circumstances, he expressed his gratitude for the years spent with The Who and wished the band all the best moving forward.
Looking Ahead
As The Who look to the future, a replacement for Zak Starkey has yet to be determined. Additionally, Starkey was previously rumored to be joining Oasis for their reunion tour, though reports have confirmed that Joey Waronker will take on that role instead.
NME has reached out to Starkey’s representatives for further comments regarding his departure and future plans.
