Photo: AFP
On Tuesday (April 15) The Mirror reported that The Who fired their longtime drummer Zak Starkey after some lackluster performances at London's Albert Hall a couple weeks ago. A spokesperson for the band broke the news to the outlet, saying: “The band made a collective decision to part ways with Zak after this round of shows at the Royal Albert Hall. They have nothing but admiration for him and wish him the very best for his future.”
Starkey, who's the son of The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, issued his own statement with Rolling Stone, sharing that he was "surprised and saddened" by the lineup change.
“I’m very proud of my near thirty years with The Who. Filling the shoes of my Godfather, ‘uncle Keith [Moon]’ has been the biggest honor and I remain their biggest fan. They’ve been like family to me," he said. "In January, I suffered a serious medical emergency with blood clots in my right bass drum calf. This is now completely healed and does not affect my drumming or running. 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?"
"I plan to take some much needed time off with my family, and focus on the release of Domino Bones by Mantra of the Cosmos with Noel Gallagher in May and finishing my autobiography written solely by me," he added. "Twenty-nine years at any job is a good old run, and I wish them the best.”
Starkey became The Who’s full-time drummer during their Quadrophenia Tour in 1996. It has not yet been revealed who will replace him when the band performs in Italy this summer.