The Who Reinstates Drummer Zak Starkey After Brief Firing

Earlier in the week, The Who announced that the band had fired their drummer of nearly 30 years, Zak Starkey. Now comes the counterorder – Starkey is back in the band.

» Published: April 20 2025

The Who Reinstates Drummer Zak Starkey After Brief Firing
Photo: David J. Phillip/AP/TT

"There have been some communication problems, personal and private from both sides, that needed to be handled and these have now been successfully aired," writes guitarist and songwriter Pete Townshend on the band's website under the heading "Newsflash: Who backs Zak."

It was after a few performances at the Royal Albert Hall in London last month that the decision to go their separate ways was made. Starkey, who is the son of Ringo Starr, simply played too loudly on the drums, which led to tensions between him and the band's singer Roger Daltrey who couldn't hear himself singing.

"Roger and I would like Zak to adjust his newly developed drum style to fit our non-orchestral setup and he has accepted that. I take responsibility for some of the confusion," Townshend writes further.

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By TTTranslated and adapted by Sweden Herald
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