The Who have parted ways with drummer Zak Starkey after a historic Royal Albert Hall show, reportedly due to a disagreement over performance style.
The Who have parted ways with drummer Zak Starkey, a member of the band since 1996. According to the band’s representative, the decision was mutual and came after their recent performance at the Royal Albert Hall for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
A review of the March gig in the Metro suggested that Roger Daltrey was unhappy with Zak Starkey‘s drumming, pausing their final song to express his frustration. The frontman reportedly told the audience, ‘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.‘ This incident may have contributed to the band’s decision to end their collaboration with Starkey.
Zak Starkey is an English drummer and musician.
He is the son of Ringo Starr, a legendary member of The Beatles.
Born on September 13, 1965, 'at a young age' Zak began playing drums.
He has performed with various bands, including Oasis, The Who, and Circa Waves.
Zak's drumming style is often compared to his father's.
He has also worked as a session musician and has released several albums.
Zak Starkey joined The Who full-time during their 1996 Quadrophenia tour and was introduced to drumming by Keith Moon, a family friend who gave him a drum kit for his eighth birthday. Starkey has also played with Oasis, Johnny Marr, the Lightning Seeds, Sly and Robbie, and his father. He performs in the recently formed supergroup Mantra of the Cosmos, featuring Shaun Ryder and Bez of the Happy Mondays and Black Grape, and Andy Bell of Oasis and Ride.
When he shared a tongue-in-cheek post on Instagram this weekend, Zak Starkey seemed aware that his departure from The Who was imminent. Beneath a photo of himself and Daltrey, Starkey wrote in all caps: “Heard today from inside source that Toger Daktrey [sic] lead singer and principal songwriter of the group unhappy with Zak the drummer’s performance at the Albert Hall a few weeks ago is bringing formal charges of overplaying and is literally going to Zak the drummer.” The post appeared to be a lighthearted jab at his former bandmates, but it also hinted at the tension that may have led to his departure.
