Zak Starkey, who has played drums with The Who for many years, is no longer part of the band. This change became clear when the group updated their touring lineup, and his name was missing from the list of musicians scheduled to perform with them. Although no formal announcement was initially issued by the band, the development has since been confirmed by both parties, reigniting conversation around the band’s evolving dynamic.
Zak Starkey, who is the son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr and a highly respected musician in his own right, first joined The Who in the mid-1990s. Over the years, his relationship with the group has had its share of ups and downs, including prior separations. In this instance, the departure appears to have taken place without a public dispute, though some ambiguity remains around the circumstances.
A representative for The Who issued a brief statement to clarify the situation. “Zak Starkey is no longer performing with The Who,” the message read. “We are grateful for his contributions over many years and wish him well in his future endeavors.”
In response, Starkey took to social media to share his own statement, expressing a mixture of understanding and personal perspective. “It’s always been an honor playing with Pete and Roger,” he wrote, referring to founding members Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey. “But everything has its time. I’m proud of what we’ve done, and I’m excited about what comes next.”
Starkey’s tone remained respectful throughout, indicating no visible animosity. “Sometimes paths diverge, and that’s okay,” he noted. “There’s no love lost. I’ll keep supporting them as a fan.” The post was accompanied by a photo of Zak Starkey behind his kit, reinforcing his ongoing commitment to drumming despite the shift in affiliation.
His exit leaves room for speculation about who will take over the drum seat, especially with the band scheduled for future performances. The Who has previously adjusted to lineup changes, particularly since the passing of original drummer Keith Moon and bassist John Entwistle.
Over the years, the band hasn’t shied away from bringing in experienced session musicians or rotating drummers when necessary, especially for live shows, filling in gaps left by changes to the original lineup. It’s become part of how they keep things running smoothly on tour.
As for Zak Starkey, he hasn’t slowed down. When he’s not behind the kit for The Who, he’s been touring and recording with big-name acts like Oasis and Johnny Marr. His work stretches across styles, sometimes rooted in rock, sometimes leaning toward the experimental, showing just how wide his musical range really is.
His work outside The Who has long showcased his range and technical skill, earning him recognition that stands apart from his famous lineage.
Though this chapter with The Who appears to have closed once again, Zak Starkey shows no sign of slowing down. His professional reputation remains intact, and fans of his drumming are likely to see him reemerge soon with new collaborations. As he hinted in his farewell post, there’s more on the horizon, just not with the band he spent decades helping define.