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The seeker is exhausted from getting us the full story. The Who has rehired Zak Starkey as their drummer, reversing a firing that was announced earlier this week that sent the classic rock community into a tizzy. Prior to the fissure, Starkey had served behind the Who’s kit for nearly three decades.
The song is over
April 16, 12 p.m. Zak Starkey, Ringo Starr’s son, has been with the Who in a full-time capacity since 1996; he drummed on the band’s records Endless Wire and Who. In an Instagram post on April 13, Starkey claimed the decision came from front man Roger Daltrey being unhappy at “the drummer’s performance” at their Royal Albert Hall shows last month and “is bringing formal charges of overplaying.” Video footage from one concert shows Daltrey complaining about being unable to sing to Starkey’s “fucking racket” while performing “The Real Me.” (But, well, was Keith Moon’s kit explosion considered too much?)
In a separate statement, a Who representative said it was a “collective decision” and “they have nothing but admiration for him and wish him the very best for his future.” Starkey, who is 59 years old, was given his first drum set by his godfather, Moon. Surprisingly, he’s now the Who’s longest-tenured drummer behind Moon and the ill-fated Kenney Jones. We heard the Oasis reunion tour is hiring if he wants a new gig.
Starkey is ‘surprised and saddened’
April 16, 1:30 p.m. Amid confusion from fans about the separation, Zak Starkey has released a statement that further puts the blame on Roger Daltrey. “I’m very proud of my near thirty years with the Who. Filling the shoes of my Godfather, ‘uncle Keith,’ has been the biggest honor and I remain their biggest fan,” he said. “They’ve been like family to me.” In January, Starkey says he suffered a serious medical emergency with blood clots in his bass-drum calf.
“This is now completely healed and does not affect my drumming or running,” he continued. “After playing those songs with the band for so many decades, I’m surprised and saddened anyone would have an issue with my performance that night, but what can you do?” Starkey will take time off to be with his family and focus more on personal projects, such as an upcoming autobiography. (We guess the Oasis tour is a no, then.) “29 years at any job is a good old run,” he concluded, “and I wish them the best.”
Zak is bak!
April 19, 11:49 a.m. The Who has reversed course and rehired Zak Starkey as their drummer. In a statement published on the band’s website, Pete Townshend confirmed Starkey is “not being asked to step down” from his job of 29 years. “There have been some communication issues, personal and private on all sides, that needed to be dealt with, and these have been aired happily,” Townshend wrote. “Roger and I would like Zak to tighten up his latest evolved drumming style to accommodate our non-orchestral line up and he has readily agreed. I take responsibility for some of the confusion.” Townshend said the Who’s Royal Albert Hall shows were tricky for him, as he was still recovering from a complete knee replacement. During the same shows, Roger Daltrey also revealed he was going deaf and blind.
“Maybe we didn’t put enough time into sound checks, giving us problems on stage,” he explained. “The sound in the centre of the stage is always the most difficult to work with. Roger did nothing wrong but fiddle with his in-ear monitors. Zak made a few mistakes and he has apologised. Albeit with a rubber duck drummer.” (We’d like to see a photo of this.) Townshend added: “We are a family, this blew up very quickly and got too much oxygen. It’s over. We move forward now with optimism and fire in our bellies.”
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