The Who’s long-standing drummer Zak Starkey, who has been with the band for 29 years, has spoken out after it was announced he’s been sacked from the band.
The news broke yesterday that the My Generation hitmakers were parting ways with the 59-year-old – who is the son of Sir Ringo Starr and godson of The Who’s original drummer Keith Moon – after their Royal Albert Hall gigs in March.
Days before news of the sacking came, Zak suggested on his social media pagethat lead singer Daltrey was ‘unhappy’ with his recent performances at the iconic London venue.
Although largely misspelt, Zak seemed to suggest in the social media post that they were going to ‘Zak [or sack] the drummer’ after accusing him of ‘overplaying’ at the Teenage Cancer Trust shows.
Metro reviewed the Sunday evening London gig, and noted vocalist Roger Daltrey complained of not being able to hear, and even stopped the gig on multiple occasions.
‘I’m very proud of my near thirty years with The Who,’ Starkey has now said in a written statement via Rolling Stone.
‘Filling the shoes of my Godfather, “uncle Keith” has been the biggest honour and I remain their biggest fan.
‘They’ve been like family to me. 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.’
He added: ‘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 [single] Domino Bones by Mantra Of The Cosmos with Noel Gallagher in May and finishing my autobiography written solely by me.
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‘Twenty-nine years at any job is a good old run, and I wish them the best.’
A spokesperson for The Who told Metro on Tuesday: ‘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.’
Metro attended the Sunday evening charity performance on March 30, when Daltrey complained of not being able to hear over the drums and halted the show multiple times, with Pete Townshend carrying on when he couldn’t.
After a few frustrated arm gestures and comments throughout the evening, on the final track, the emotional The Song Is Over, Roger had to stop the concert, explaining: ‘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.’
At another point, Daltrey stopped the show and said: ‘We’ve got a big problem up here. I can sing to some things, but I can’t sing to that f***ing racket.’
Lead vocalist Roger and guitarist Pete formed The Who in 1964 alongside the late John Entwistle.
Shortly after forming, the My Generation hitmakers recruited drummer Keith Moon, who died in 1978 from an accidental overdose.
He was replaced by Kenney Jones – who had previously played with the Small Faces and Faces – before Simon Phillips took over from him for The Who’s 1989 reunion tour.
Zak was called on in 1996 and continued to play with the band for 29 years until now.
It is a shock move especially considering the close family and historical connection The Who has to Zak – whose godfather is the band’s original drummer, Moon.
Moon bought Zak his first drumkit at the age of eight and by 12 he was playing in a band called The Next in pubs.
In 1984 Zak recorded Under A Raging Moon with Daltrey, and went on to record with Entwistle on his solo album, The Rock.
In the mid-90s Zak began playing for the Daltrey Sings Townshend tour and in 1996 he drummed for The Who on their Quadrophenia tour.
The Who’s website describes him as the band’s ‘”unofficial” official drummer’ having performed with them again on many tours, as well as at the London 2012 Olympics, and at the 2010 Super Bowl.
Zak – who also drummed for Oasis in the noughties – has recorded with the likes of Johnny Marr, The Lightning Seeds, The Hollywood Vampires, Joe Perry, Paul Weller, Graham Coxon and Mick Jones of The Clash.
He also plays guitar in his band SSHH. In 2017, Zak and Sshh founded record label Trojan Jamaica, releasing recordings by the likes of Toots and The Maytals, Santigold, and Shaggy.
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