Drummer Zak Starkey has been dismissed from The Who for the second time in a month.
Guitarist Pete Townshend shared a message on Instagram on Sunday, stating: “After many years of excellent drumming from Zak, it’s time for a change.”
“It’s a significant moment. Zak has many new projects ahead, and I wish him all the best.”
This announcement arrives just weeks before the legendary British rock band’s farewell tour.
In reaction, Starkey, who joined the band in 1996, expressed in an Instagram post that he would “never have quit,” describing the recent events as “weeks of chaos.”
“I was let go two weeks after being reinstated and was asked to state that I had quit to pursue my other musical interests,” he wrote.
“This is not true. I have a deep love for The Who and would never abandon the incredible people who have supported me throughout this turmoil.”
In April, reports emerged that the band made a “collective decision” to remove Starkey following a dispute over their Teenage Cancer Trust performances in March.
Roger Daltrey and Starkey on stage at the Royal Albert Hall in March. Pic: PA
A review of one concert in the Metro suggested that frontman Roger Daltrey, who initiated the annual charity concert series in 2000, seemed “frustrated” with the drumming during certain songs.
According to the review, Daltrey even paused a performance to say: “To sing that song, I need to hear the key, but all I can hear is drums going boom, boom, boom. I can’t sing to that. Apologies, everyone.”
At the time, the 59-year-old drummer expressed his “surprise and sadness” regarding the news of his dismissal.
Just three days after the reports surfaced, a message on the band’s official social media stated, titled “News Flash! Who Backs Zak,” asserted that he was “not being asked to step down from The Who”.
In it, Townshend mentioned: “Some personal and private communication issues on all sides needed to be addressed, and this has been resolved amicably.”
“Roger and I wish Zak would refine his evolved drumming style to fit our non-orchestral setup, and he has genuinely agreed.”
Later in the long statement, he remarked about the performances: “Zak made a few errors, and he has apologized.”
At that moment, Starkey—son of The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr—reposted Townshend’s statement, with the remark: “Very grateful to be part of the Who family. Thank you, Roger and Pete xx”.
Starkey also plays drums for supergroup Mantra Of The Cosmos, alongside artists Shaun Ryder, Bez from Happy Mondays, and Andy Bell of Ride and Oasis. He has previously played with Oasis, Lightning Seeds, and Johnny Marr.