In a surprising move, The Who have said goodbye to their drummer Zak Starkey, for the second time in just a month. Fans are left wondering what’s going on as the band gets ready for their final tour across North America.
Though the official announcements from both sides paint slightly different pictures, one thing is clear: the breakup was not exactly smooth. The band says the split was mutual, while Starkey insisted he was dismissed and asked to cover it with a vague statement.
A reunion that did not last – The Who and Zak Starkey
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Starkey’s recent back-and-forth with the band started after a performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall, which reportedly did not go well. The band was said to be unhappy with how things played out, and Starkey was quietly let go. But just days later, things seemed patched up, at least publicly, with both Pete Townshend and Starkey saying it was all a misunderstanding and that he would return.
That reunion did not last. Now, just weeks later, Townshend has said it’s time for change. He hinted that the band and Starkey weren’t in sync and wished him well with his other projects. Meanwhile, Starkey expressed frustration, calling the whole experience chaotic and confusing.
Starkey seems ready to move forward
Townshend eventually addressed the Albert Hall concert, admitting that stage sound was challenging. “Maybe we didn’t put enough time into sound checks,” he said, before mentioning that “Zak made a few mistakes and he has apologized. Albeit with a rubber duck drummer.”
Despite the tension and everything going on, Starkey seems ready to move forward. He pointed out that The Who haven’t had a very active touring schedule. He mentioned that it has been “sporadic or minimalist” for years, and his other work was never a problem. Now, he is focusing on new music, especially with his group Mantra of the Cosmos, which includes Oasis’ Noel Gallagher.