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In a dramatic turn of events worthy of rock ‘n’ roll history, The Who have sensationally fired longtime drummer Zak Starkey, for the second time in just a month. And this time, it looks final.
Zak, 58, the son of Beatles legend Ringo Starr, has been a fixture behind the kit for The Who since 1996, carrying the torch for the band’s thunderous rhythm section. But on Monday, The Who’s iconic guitarist Pete Townshend took to Instagram to confirm that Zak is no longer part of the group, and just months before their highly anticipated farewell tour of North America.
"After many years of great work on drums from Zak, the time has come for a change," Pete wrote in the bombshell post. "A poignant time. Zak has lots of new projects in hand and I wish him the best."
It’s a stunning twist considering Starkey had already been sacked once last month, only to be quickly reinstated amid fan backlash and apparent behind-the-scenes wrangling. But this time, it appears the decision is set in stone, and it’s left fans shocked.
In a follow-up statement shared by both Townshend and frontman Roger Daltrey, the legendary rockers appeared to frame the split as amicable,+ and generational.
“The Who are heading for retirement,” they wrote, “whereas Zak is 20 years younger and has a great future with his new band and other exciting projects. He needs to devote all his energy into making it all a success. We both wish him all the luck in the world.”
Taking over drumming duties will be Scott Devours, best known for filling in during Zak’s absence on previous tours. While Devours is a seasoned pro, fans are already lamenting the loss of Starkey’s power and pedigree, not to mention the symbolic passing of the rock dynasty baton from his famous father.
Social media lit up within minutes of the announcement, with fans expressing disappointment, confusion, and curiosity about the behind-the-scenes tension that may have led to the second, and seemingly final, split.
The Who’s farewell tour is set to be a swan song for one of rock’s most influential bands, but it now begins under a cloud of controversy and change.
One thing’s for sure: Zak Starkey’s final bow with The Who may have already happened… and this time, there’s no encore.
