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The musician has been with the band since 1996.
By Lexi Carson
The Who and Zak Starkey are going their separate ways.
Starkey, the son of Beatles’ drummer Ringo Starr, was the drummer for The Who since 1996’s Quadrophenia tour, is apparently no longer in the band following a disagreement that occurred during their show last month at Royal Albert Hall.
A representative for The Who shared the following statement with The Guardian: “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.”
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Starkey shared a statement with The Hollywood Reporter on his departure: “I’m very proud of my near thirty years with The Who. Filling the shoes of my godfather, ‘uncle Keith’ has been the biggest honor and I remain their biggest fan. They’ve been like family to me,” Starkey said referring to Keith Moon, the first drummer of The Who and the person who introduced him to drumming.
He continued, “In January, I suffered a serious medical emergency with blood clots in my right bass drum calf. This is now completely healed and does not affect my drumming or running. 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? I plan to take some much needed time off with my family, and focus on the release of ‘Domino Bones’ by Mantra Of The Cosmos with Noel Gallagher in May and finishing my autobiography written solely by me. 29 years at any job is a good old run, and I wish them the best.”
The U.K.’s Metro newspaper previously highlighted tension at the concert and lead singer Roger Daltrey’s comments on Starkey’s performance at the March concert.
“After a few frustrated arm gestures and comments, on the final track of the evening, 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,’” Metro wrote. “Seeing Roger looking defeated, the crowd cheered him on. After joking everyone’s got trains to catch, Roger said, ‘It was going so well… I can sing in any fucking key you want, but I need to hear which one.’”
Starkey also apparently posted on his Instagram Story over the weekend (via The Guardian), hinting at what was to come: “Heard today from inside source that Toger Daktrey [sic] lead singer and principal songwriter of the group unhappy with Zak the drummer’s performance at the Albert Hall a few weeks ago is bringing formal charges of overplaying and is literally going to Zak the drummer.”
A rep for The Who did not respond to The Hollywood Reporter‘s request for comment.
3:35 p.m. This story has been updated with a statement from Starkey’s rep.
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