Zak Starkey, the longtime drummer for The Who and son of Beatles legend Ringo Starr, says he’s still trying to make sense of the roller-coaster of decisions surrounding his departure from the band earlier this year — and he isn’t the only one confused about what actually happened.
The situation began in April 2025 when The Who announced that Starkey, who had been behind the kit for nearly 29 years, was being dismissed following a performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall, where frontman Roger Daltrey reportedly struggled to hear himself over the drums.
Shortly after that announcement, guitarist Pete Townshend appeared to reverse course, saying communication issues had been resolved and that Starkey would remain the band’s drummer. But the reprieve was brief: a few weeks later, Townshend again confirmed Starkey’s departure as The Who prepared for their announced farewell tour and introduced Scott Devours — a drummer who had worked with Daltrey’s solo band — as Starkey’s replacement.
“Still Confused” About the Whole Thing
In a recent interview, Starkey acknowledged how bewildering the sequence of events felt — not just for him, but for the band itself.
“I think they just wanted to change; and then they didn’t, and then they did, and then they didn’t… and then they did,” he said with a laugh, noting that both sides seemed to be caught in the same uncertainty.
“It was pretty confusing. And I think they’re still confused. I’m still confused!”
Despite the confusion, Starkey emphasized that he holds no ill will toward his former bandmates. He described his decades-long relationship with Daltrey, Townshend and the late bassist John Entwistle as deeply meaningful and intact.
“I’ve been working with Roger on and off since I was 17,” he said, noting that his connection to the band predates most fans’ memories of him.
“I don’t hold a grudge, really, because they’re my friends; and we’ve been friends for such a long time.”
Starkey also reflected on how the saga affected other opportunities. According to him, the ongoing drama with The Who caused him to miss out on a potential chance to join Oasis for their reunion tour — a role he was well suited for given his previous stint with the band from 2004–2008.
For his part, Starkey described the whole episode as “just band business,” saying he didn’t want to let it overshadow nearly three decades of collaboration and musical history. He also stressed his admiration for what The Who represented in his life and career.
“I was in The Who 29 years, and I wouldn’t bury a friendship over it,” he said, acknowledging that, while he would have liked to finish things on his own terms, he’s at peace with how it unfolded.
Whether the confusion stemmed from internal disagreements about performance, communication breakdowns, or the practical challenges of maintaining a decades-old partnership, Starkey insists the relationships have remained intact. For now, his focus is on his many projects outside the band — from his own music to other artistic endeavors — even as the legacy of his time in The Who stays firmly in the spotlight.
