Imagine dedicating nearly three decades of your life to a band, only to be abruptly fired—not once, but twice—and still being left in the dark about why. That’s the bewildering reality for Zak Starkey, the son of Beatles legend Ringo Starr and longtime touring drummer for The Who. In a candid interview with New York’s Q104.3, Starkey opened up about his confusing departure from the band in 2025, leaving fans and industry insiders alike scratching their heads. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was it a simple case of ‘band business,’ or did deeper tensions simmer beneath the surface? Let’s dive in.
During the interview with DJ Jonathan Clarke, the 60-year-old musician revealed that despite the drama, he remains on good terms with The Who’s founding members, Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend. Yet, the circumstances surrounding his firing remain murky. It all started during a 2025 Teenage Cancer Trust benefit concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall, where Daltrey, who struggles with hearing loss, abruptly stopped the band mid-performance of ‘The Song Is Over,’ complaining the drums were too loud. This incident seemingly set the stage for Starkey’s eventual ousting—or so fans thought.
And this is the part most people miss: After Starkey’s widely publicized departure in April 2025, The Who announced his return just three days later, citing ‘communication issues’ as the reason for his initial removal. But the whiplash didn’t end there. In May, the band once again confirmed Starkey’s departure, claiming he wanted to pursue other projects. Starkey, however, disputes this, insisting he was fired. Since then, Daltrey and Townshend have remained tight-lipped about the real reason behind the split.
Starkey’s replacement, Scott Devours—who had previously played in Daltrey’s solo band—joined The Who for their Italian shows and the North American farewell tour, The Song Is Over Tour. Meanwhile, Starkey has moved on to other ventures, including a one-man show titled ‘Zak Starkey … Who?’ set for February 20, 2026, at New York City’s Gramercy Theatre. The event promises an intimate look at his storied career, complete with special guests and archival footage. Tickets are available now at TheGramercyTheatre.com and LiveNation.com.
In the interview, Starkey admitted, ‘I think they just wanted a change, and then they didn’t, and then they did… It was pretty confusing. And I think they’re still confused, and I’m still confused.’ Despite the uncertainty, he holds no grudges, emphasizing his long-standing friendships with Daltrey and Townshend. ‘It’s just band business,’ he shrugged.
But here’s the burning question: Was Starkey’s firing a result of creative differences, personal tensions, or something else entirely? And why the back-and-forth announcements? Fans are divided, with some speculating about Daltrey’s hearing issues playing a role, while others wonder if Starkey’s legacy as Ringo Starr’s son added unnecessary pressure. What do you think? Is this a case of miscommunication, or is there more to the story? Sound off in the comments—let’s keep the conversation going.
In the meantime, Starkey is far from slowing down. On February 3, 2026, he’ll join ex-Bad Company bassist Dave ‘Bucket’ Colwell for a Mott the Hoople tribute concert in Barnoldswick, U.K. For details, visit BarnoldswickMusicandArtsCentre.com. One thing’s for sure: Zak Starkey’s journey is far from over, and we’ll be watching—and listening—closely.
