Zak Starkey, a familiar name in British rock circles and longtime drummer for bands like The Who and Oasis, has voiced his disappointment after being excluded from the upcoming Oasis reunion tour. While the band’s return to the stage has stirred excitement among fans worldwide, Starkey’s absence has added an unexpected wrinkle to the moment, raising questions about how musicians who shaped a band’s later chapters are remembered or overlooked.
Zak Starkey joined Oasis in the mid-2000s, stepping in at a time when the group was entering its final creative stretch. His playing featured prominently on both Don’t Believe the Truth and Dig Out Your Soul, two albums that helped the band regain a sense of identity after a period of instability. His drum work didn’t simply keep time; it gave the songs a steady drive, balancing power with control. To some fans and critics, his arrival gave the band a fresh spark, especially on tracks like “Lyla” and “The Shock of the Lightning,” where his aggressive yet sharp playing became central to the sound.
In a recent interview, Starkey shared that he had contacted the Gallagher brothers after hearing rumors about the reunion. He hoped to be involved but was told they had already chosen someone else for the drums. “Of course I was gutted,” he said plainly. Still, he didn’t linger on bitterness. “Bands get used to playing with different people. Sometimes that’s just how it goes.”
His reaction was measured, maybe even a little resigned. Rather than criticize, Starkey called Liam Gallagher “the best singer of his generation” and referred to Oasis as “the greatest rock-and-roll band of its time.” It’s rare to hear such admiration from someone left behind, but that’s what made his response stand out; he seemed to understand that decisions in music, especially where reunions are concerned, are rarely simple.
Oasis, formed in the early 1990s, has had its share of lineup changes over the years. And while the Gallagher brothers are seen as the face and voice of the band, the rhythm section has rotated more than once. That may explain why Starkey’s absence hasn’t drawn outrage from the band itself, but among followers of the group, particularly those who found something refreshing in the mid-2000s records, his absence carries some weight.
Nothing has been said publicly by the Gallaghers about Starkey’s exclusion. Whether it came down to timing, musical preference, or simply comfort with someone new remains unclear. What is clear, though, is that Zak Starkey’s time in Oasis wasn’t just a passing footnote. His contribution during a transitional moment helped steer the band through its final studio years.
And now, as Oasis prepares to step back into the spotlight, it does so without one of the drummers who helped keep it steady when things could have easily come undone.