The seeker better be working overtime to get us the full story. The Who has parted ways with Zak Starkey after three decades of service on the drums, with Starkey claiming he was unceremoniously fired for overplaying at a series of recent gigs. Starkey, Ringo Starr’s son, has been with the band in a full-time capacity since 1996; he drummed on Who records Endless Wire and Who. In an Instagram post on April 13, Starkey claimed the decision came from front man Roger Daltrey being unhappy at “the drummer’s performance” at their Royal Albert Hall shows last month and “is bringing formal charges of overplaying.” (But was Keith Moon’s kit explosion considered too much?) In a separate statement, a Who representative said it was a “collective decision” and “they have nothing but admiration for him and wish him the very best for his future.” Starkey, who is 59 years old, was given his first drum set by his godfather, Moon. Surprisingly, he’s now the Who’s longest-tenured drummer behind Moon and the ill-fated Kenney Jones. We heard the Oasis reunion tour is hiring.
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Zak Starkey, who had been with the band for three decades, said it was due to “overplaying” at recent gigs.
