Starkey remains in the band he’s helmed for the past 29 years
The Who founding guitarist and vocalist Pete Townshend has addressed longtime drummer Zak Starkey’s involvement with the band. Last week, news surfaced that Starkey was apparently dismissed from The Who after some tension rose on stage at the Royal Albert Hall in London last month.
“The band made a collective decision to part ways with Zak after this round of shows at the Royal Albert Hall,” a representative with The Who shared. “They have nothing but admiration for him and wish him the very best for his future.”
During the London shows, frontman Roger Daltrey is said to have complained about hearing drums all night and not being able to sing.
“To sing that song I do need to hear the key, and I can’t. All I’ve got is drums going boom, boom, boom. I can’t sing to that. I’m sorry, guys,” he said on stage.
Starkey wrote a lengthy Instagram post on April 13th, stating, “Heard today… that Roger Daltrey, lead singer and principal songwriter of the group [is] unhappy with Zak the drummer’s performance … bringing formal charges of overplaying and is literally going to zak the drummer.”
In a surprising turn, today (Sat, Apr 19th), The Who announced that Starkey is back in the band. Townshend stated that some “communication issues” had been resolved and that Zak would be staying seated behind the kit.
“News Flash! Who Backs Zak! He’s not being asked to step down from The Who,” Townshend writes on social media.
“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 drumming style to accommodate our non-orchestral line up and he has readily agreed. 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. 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.
As for Roger, fans can enjoy his forthcoming solo shows with his fabulous 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.”
Starkey replied on Instagrament, stating, “V grateful to be a part of the who family Thanks Roger and Pete xx.”
Starkey has drummed for The Who since the band reunited in 1996. Starkey is the son of The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr.
