Legendary rock band The Who have sacked their long-time drummer Zak Starkey after 29 years, following performances at London’s Royal Albert Hall in March.
The dismissal of Starkey, son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, has reportedly occurred under “acrimonious” circumstances according to multiple sources.
The band, fronted by Roger Daltrey, 81, and Pete Townshend, 79, made what they described as a “collective decision” to part ways with the 59-year-old drummer.
Insiders claim the split has left Starkey upset, with one source telling The Mirror: “It’s a little acrimonious to say the least.”
The drummer had been a permanent fixture with The Who since their Quadrophenia Tour in 1996.
A spokesperson for The Who confirmed: “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.”
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Sources claim there were question marks over Starkey’s drumming at the March shows, which were held in honour of Daltrey’s Teenage Cancer Trust charity.
One insider told The Mirror there were a “few issues with the drumming….and the standard wasn’t as high as everyone wanted.”
Starkey reportedly suggested on social media two days ago that lead singer Roger Daltrey was “unhappy” with his recent performances, accusing him of “overplaying” at the charity shows.
Starkey’s connection to The Who runs deep, as the band’s original drummer, Keith Moon, was his godfather and bought him his first drum kit at the age of eight.
The dismissal comes shortly after Starkey suffered a health scare in January, when he developed a blood clot in his leg.
The 59-year-old, who also plays with indie group Mantra of the Cosmos, was instructed to rest and take blood thinners for two weeks following the incident.
Starkey is widely respected in the music industry, having performed with The Who at significant events including the London 2012 Olympics and the 2010 Super Bowl.
The band’s website describes him as their ‘”unofficial” official drummer.
The Royal Albert Hall performances on March 27 and 30 attracted a star-studded audience including Bill Murray, Sadie Frost, Paul McKenna and Tracy-Ann Oberman.
Hollywood star Murray was pictured catching up with Daltrey backstage after the gig.
Despite fans giving the band a standing ovation, reports suggest Daltrey became frustrated during the performances.
At the March 30 show, Daltrey reportedly halted the concert multiple times, complaining he couldn’t hear over the drums.
During the final track, The Song Is Over, Daltrey stopped the show, 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.”
However, some sources have defended Starkey’s abilities, questioning the decision to remove him from the band.
“He is an extremely talented drummer and it doesn’t make any sense,” one insider told The Mirror.
Starkey has had a diverse career beyond The Who, joining Oasis in 2004 after Alan White’s departure and remaining with them until the band split in 2009.
There had been rumours of his potential involvement in an upcoming Oasis reunion.
He also plays guitar in his band SSHH and co-founded record label Trojan Jamaica in 2017, releasing recordings by artists including Toots and The Maytals, Santigold, and Shaggy.
In 2022, Starkey married Sharna Liguz, known as Sshh, at an intimate ceremony at the Sunset Marquis hotel in West Hollywood.
His father Ringo attended the celebration, with Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder serving as best man and Johnny Marr watching via video link.
Last August, The Mirror reported that Starkey was barred from staying at a Victorian manor house on Airbnb after mentioning plans for a party.
Starkey had booked the property for his wife’s 40th birthday but was cancelled after the hosts “Googled me and seeing Oasis and The Who – the two worst-behaved bands in the history of rock ‘n’ roll”.
