Ringo Starr has broken his silence to back his son, Zak Starkey, after Zak was suddenly dismissed from drumming duties with The Who. The longtime Beatles drummer didn’t mince words, calling out the way the situation unfolded and showing clear support for his son’s years of dedication. Zak, who played with the band for nearly 30 years, was reportedly let go without any warning. Ringo Starr made it known that the move had nothing to do with talent or performance. His remarks come as fans continue reacting to the news and questioning the reasons behind the sudden lineup change.

Zak Starkey had also broken his silence following a confusing and very public departure from the legendary British rock band earlier this year. The split came after a tense on-stage moment and has since drawn widespread attention across the music community.

It all began during a benefit concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall in March. Starkey was behind the drum kit as the band performed “The Song Is Over,” when Roger Daltrey, the band’s iconic frontman, turned around mid-song and told him he couldn’t hear the melody. The comment was brief, but it happened in front of a packed audience, and the tension was hard to miss. Within days, word spread that Starkey had been let go from the band.

But the story didn’t end there. Just a short time later, reports surfaced that Starkey had been reinstated. Both he and the band cited miscommunication as a factor, and there was talk of moving on. Still, by May, he was out again. This time, the band stated it was heading in a new direction, and they would be working with a different drummer for upcoming tour dates.

Speaking about the incident for the first time since it unfolded, Starkey was clear in defending his performance. He explained that, from his view, the issue wasn’t with the drumming. Instead, he said Daltrey had entered the verse early, throwing off the timing of the song. That moment on stage, however, seemed to snowball into something larger. Even so, Starkey didn’t dwell on the fallout. He described the band dynamic as intense but said he felt no ill will.

What’s perhaps most telling is how Starkey framed his relationship with the rest of the band, especially Daltrey. The two spoke after the incident, and according to Starkey, Daltrey told him he hadn’t been fired, he’d been “retired.” The conversation was reportedly calm, and Starkey said they remain on good terms. He even added that he was told to keep his drums close by, just in case they needed him again.

Zak Starkey had been a fixture in The Who’s lineup since 1996. While never an official band member in name, he played every major tour and event over the last two decades, earning respect for his ability to balance energy with control. He managed to honor Keith Moon’s wild drumming legacy while bringing his own identity to the role.

The band has since tapped Scott Devours to take over drumming duties for its upcoming North American tour. Whether that marks the end of Starkey’s time with The Who remains uncertain. What’s clear is that the split was abrupt, emotionally charged, and at least for now, open-ended.