THE WHO FIRES DRUMMER ZAK STARKEY

Legendary rockers The Who recently played two dates at the Royal Albert Hall in London for the Teenage Cancer Trust, on March 27th and 30th. The seven piece band included co-founders Roger Daltrey (CBE), and Pete Townshend.

According to a Metro (UK) news article (3/31), lead singer Daltrey, 81, told the previous night's audience that he was struggling to hear over the drums. “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."

Apparently, that led to the firing of long-time drummer Zak Starkey, the 59-year-old son of Ringo Starr. The Who released a statement on Tuesday confirming Starkey's termination. In response, Starkey issued his own statement to PEOPLE magazine.

"I’m very proud of my near 30 years with The Who," stated Starkey. "Filling the shoes of my Godfather, 'uncle Keith' (original drummer Keith Moon) has been the biggest honor and I remain their biggest fan. They’ve been like family to me."

Starkey has been The Who’s permanent drummer since the Quadrophenia tour in 1996.

"After playing those songs with the band for so many decades, I’m surprised and saddened anyone would have an issue with my performance that night, but what can you do?”

A representative for The Who reportedly told The Independent (UK), “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.”

A rep for Starkey told The Independent that the split was a “typical rock’n’roll falling out."

The Rock Times reported on April 2nd that Daltrey told the March 27th crowd at the Royal Albert Hall, “The joys of getting old mean you go deaf," according to Sky News. https://www.therocktimes.com/post/roger-daltrey

The Who - Baba O’Riley/Won’t Get Fooled Again (London, Royal Albert Hall) March 30, 2025