Classic Rock
Why Ringo Starr’s son Zak Starkey was fired from The Who
After 29 years as The Who’s drummer, Ringo Starr’s son Zak Starkey was fired by the band. The musician said he was “surprised and saddened.” The news was first shared by the group, who said in an official statement that they made “a collective decision to part ways.”
“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,” The Who representatives said.
But according to The Mirror, Roger Daltrey complained about the drummer overplaying during one of their shows at the Royal Albert Hall. “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,” The Who’s vocalist told the crowd. Last January, Starkey suffered a blood clot in his leg.
What Zak Starkey said
The drummer recently talked about the firing on his social media, using a photo with Daltrey which said “The Daily Who Breaking News”. He said: “Heard today from inside source within whose horse’s nose that Toger Daktrey, 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 and bring on a reserve from ‘The Burwash Carwash Skiffle ‘n’ Tickle Glee Club Harmony Without Empathy Allstars.’ This has been confirmed by whose long-time manager Willya Youwontyouknow,” the musician said in a post he deleted.
In another post he said: “Sorry Rog, I dropped a few beats … I’ll pick em up next time if I can. Apologies…”
It seems to be a message aimed at Daltrey, who reportedly complained about his overplaying during the shows at the Royal Albert Hall last month. Zak Starkey played drums on a few tracks from The Who’s albums Endless Wire (2006) and Who (2019).
Since his dismissal, fans have been asking him to join Oasis on their reunion tour, as the musician played with the Gallagher brothers from 2004 to 2008. He appeared on the albums Don’t Believe the Truth (2005) and Dig Out Your Soul (2008).
