Zak Starkey revealed his firing from The Who through a statement on Instagram. The band had also requested him to make a false statement about his departure.
Initial reports of his departure surfaced weeks ago. Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend had previously denied these reports.
‘I was fired two weeks after reinstatement and asked to make a statement saying I had quit the who to pursue my other musical endeavours this would be a lie,’ Starkey stated.
He elaborated on his loyalty to the band and his decision to speak up: ‘I love the Who and would never had quit. So I didn’t make the statement ….quitting the Who would also have let down the countless amazing people who stood up for me (thank you all a million times over and more) thru the weeks of mayhem of me going ‘in an out an in an out an in an out like a bleedin’ squeezebox.’
This revelation stands in direct contrast to the band’s previous public statements about Starkey’s status.
The departure represents a significant turning point in Starkey’s extensive career with the legendary rock band.
Modern Drummer documented Starkey’s remarkable journey with The Who. His tenure began during their 1996 Quadrophenia tour and spanned nearly 30 years.
Finance Monthly highlighted Starkey’s contributions to other major acts. He served as Oasis’s drummer from 2004 to 2009. During this period, he played on acclaimed albums including ‘Don’t Believe The Truth’ and ‘Dig Out Your Soul.’
DrumSpy revealed Starkey’s latest creative endeavors. He co-founded the supergroup Mantra Of The Cosmos in 2023. This new venture marks a fresh chapter in his musical journey despite the controversial end with The Who.
The drummer’s exit marks one of the most significant lineup changes for The Who in recent years. It concludes a chapter that encompassed nearly three decades of rock history.
