The Who have reversed course and re-hired longtime drummer Zak Starkey, days after firing him following a round of concerts at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Pete Townshend announced the news in a statement posted to the band’s website on Saturday. “[Starkey’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,” he explained.
Earlier this week, The Who dismissed Starkey, son of Ringo Starr and their drummer of nearly three decades, over apparent “issues with the drumming” that occurred during the band’s concerts at Royal Albert Hall. Starkey subsequently confirmed the news in a statement to Rolling Stone, saying he was “surprised and saddened” by the band’s decision.
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In his lengthy statement, Townshend provided a behind the scenes account of what led to Starkey’s initial ouster and why the band ultimately changed its mind.
“Roger [Daltrey] 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,” Townshend noted. “I take responsibility for some of the confusion. Our TCT 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,” he added. “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.”
Townshend also apologized Daltrey’s solo 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.”
With Starkey back behind the kit, The Who are next due to hit the stage for a pair of gigs in Italy in July.
News Flash! Who Backs Zak!
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… pic.twitter.com/mgfsolGz3s
— The Who (@TheWho) April 19, 2025
