The Who Welcomes Back Drummer Zak Starkey Days After They Part Ways

by

Just a short while ago, The Who made public their decision to bid farewell to Zak Starkey, Ringo Starr’s son and their drummer since 1996. However, this change didn’t persist for long.

Over the weekend, it was confirmed that Zak Starkey has returned to the group: “Breaking News! Who’s Back Zak? It’s not about him leaving The Who,” stated a post by Pete Townshend, the band’s guitarist-songwriter, on their official website and Instagram.

There were some private and personal matters that needed addressing, which we’ve successfully discussed. Roger and I asked Zak to refine his new drumming style to better fit our unorchestral group, and he’s been open to this adjustment. I admit to causing some confusion in the process.

On Wednesday, it emerged that the band and Starkey had decided to part ways due to less-than-favorable feedback about Starkey’s performance at the Royal Albert Hall. Starkey himself spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about his feelings, expressing pride over nearly three decades with The Who. He mentioned being taken aback by any criticism of his show that night but added, “What can you do?”

On Wednesday, it was revealed that the band and Starkey were ending their relationship due to dissatisfaction with Starkey’s performance at the Royal Albert Hall. Starkey expressed his thoughts about his nearly thirty-year tenure with The Who in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, saying he was surprised and disappointed by any criticism of his show that night but admitted, “What can you do?”)

In a post on their official website, Townshend discussed the challenges they faced during the TCT shows at the Royal Albert Hall. He admitted that he had underestimated the recovery time needed after a complete knee replacement surgery, saying “I foolishly thought I could land on my knees!” Instead, he suggested that perhaps not enough attention was paid to sound checks, leading to issues on stage. Roger didn’t do anything wrong but adjusted his in-ear monitors, while Zak made some mistakes for which he has apologized, though jokingly referred to himself as a “rubber duck drummer.

He added, “We’ve become like a family, things escalated rapidly and took on too much momentum. It’s concluded. From hereon, we press forward with hope and determination burning within us.

Read More

2025-04-19 22:24