The Who sack key member after decades following ‘huge fall out’ over Royal Albert Hall gig
They seemed rattled at the London event.
The Who have sacked their long-standing drummer Zak Starkey after a reported ‘huge fall out’.
A spokesperson for The Who said this evening: ‘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.’
Zak, 59, who has played with the Baba O’Riley hitmakers for 29 years and is the son of Beatles drummer Sir Ringo Starr, suggested on his social media page two days ago that lead singer Roger Daltrey was ‘unhappy’ with his recent performances at the Royal Albert Hall.
Although largely misspelt, Zak seemed to suggest in the post that they were going to ‘Zak [or sack] the drummer’ after accusing him of ‘overplaying’ at the Teenage Cancer Trust shows.
A source told The Mirror the decision has upset Zak.
At the show a fortnight ago, Daltrey stopped proceedings to complain of the loud drums (Picture: James Manning/PA Wire) Zak is said to be very upset at the decision (Picture: REUTERS)They said: ‘It’s a little acrimonious to say the least.’
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.’
Zak’s dad Sir Ringo Starr (left) was best friends with former The Who drummer Keith Moon (right). Keith waz Zak’s godfather, and bought him his first drum kit (Picture: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)Lead vocalist Roger and guitarist Pete formed The Who in 1964 alongside the late John Entwistle.
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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 at the pub.
Zak shared a cryptic social media post the other day about Daltrey (Picture: Ian West/PA Wire) Zak also drummed for Oasis (Picture: Dave Hogan/Getty Images)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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