Zak Starkey Departs The Who After Nearly 30 Years Amid Royal Albert Hall Dispute
Posted on April 17, 2025, 4:20 am
Zak Starkey, son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, has parted ways with The Who after nearly three decades as their drummer. The split follows a contentious performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall in March 2025, where frontman Roger Daltrey publicly criticized Starkey’s drumming during the final song, stating he couldn’t hear the key over the “boom, boom, boom” of the drums. This incident led to reports of internal dissatisfaction with Starkey’s performance.
In response, Starkey shared a satirical Instagram post alluding to his dismissal, humorously referencing “formal charges of overplaying” and a fictional replacement from the “Burwash Carwash Skiffle ‘n’ Tickle Glee Club Harmony Without Empathy Allstars.”
Despite the abrupt departure, Starkey expressed pride in his tenure with The Who, stating, “Filling the shoes of my Godfather, ‘uncle Keith,’ has been the biggest honor.” He plans to focus on personal projects, including the release of “Domino Bones” by Mantra Of The Cosmos with Noel Gallagher and completing his autobiography.
