-
Last month, Zak Starkey announced he was parting ways with The Who after 29 years of drumming with the rock band
-
Later that week, Pete Townshend announced Starkey would remain in the group following “some communication issues”
-
On May 18, The Who once again announced Starkey’s departure
-
The drummer and son of Sir Ringo Starr now claims he was not only fired but asked to lie about his exit from the band
Zak Starkey is no longer with The Who — and no, you’re not experiencing déjà vu.
Last month, Starkey announced he was parting ways with The Who after 29 years of drumming with the rock band. Later that week, however, Pete Townshend announced Starkey would remain in the group following “some communication issues.”
On May 18, The Who once again announced Starkey’s departure. The drummer and son of Sir Ringo Starr now claims he was not only fired but asked to lie about his exit from the band.
In a post shared to both Townshend and The Who’s Instagram accounts, the co-founder and guitarist shared a statement. “After many years of great work on drums from Zak the time has come for a change. A poignant time,” he wrote. “Zak has lots of new projects in hang and I wish him the best.”
Samir Hussein/WireImage
(from left) Roger Daltrey, Zak Starkey and Pete Townshend in July 2019
Townshend then announced, “Scott Devours, who has worked with Roger [Daltrey’s] solo band will join The Who for our final shows. Please welcome him.”
Shortly after the post went live, Starkey took to his own account with a different perspective on the matter. “I was fired two weeks after reinstatement and asked to make a statement saying I had quit the who to pursue my other musical [endeavors],” he began, adding, “this would be a lie.”
“I love the who and would never had quit. So I didn’t make the statement,” wrote the drummer. “Quitting the who would also have let down the countless amazing people who stood up for me (thank you all a million times over and more) thru the weeks of mayhem of me going ‘in an out an in an out an in an out like a bleedin squeezebox.”
Starkey confirmed having other projects in the works but clarified that he’s “always” had additional gigs, as “The Who have been sporadic or minimalist in touring most years.”
He listed several other endeavors from the past three decades and added, “As u see there has always been time for other projects.”
“None of this has ever interfered with The Who and was never a problem for them,” concluded Starkey’s note. “The lie is or would have been that I quit the who- i didn’t. I love the who and everyone in it.”
PEOPLE has reached out to both The Who and Starkey’s reps for comment.
Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty
Zak Starkey in January 2025
The Who’s original announcement of Starkey’s departure, which was later retracted, came in April following a round of shows at the Royal Albert Hall. At the time, there were back-and-forth comments and news reports alleging the band wasn’t happy with Starkey’s onstage performance.
Starkey has been a full-time drummer for The Who since the 1996 Quadrophenia tour. Earlier this year, Starkey suffered a blood clot in his leg and was forced to cancel a London gig with his indie band Mantra of the Cosmos.
At the time, a rep for the band told media outlets that Starkey was advised to take blood thinners for two weeks and rest to prevent additional clots. Starkey said in his most recent statement that he was “now completely healed” and that the injury did not “affect my drumming or running.”
Read the original article on People
