The Who Fires and Rehires Zak Starkey… Again! Drummer Claims He Was Asked to Lie About Quitting
The drama continues for The Who as they've reportedly parted ways with drummer Zak Starkey for the *second* time in recent weeks. This latest development comes just ahead of their highly anticipated farewell tour, leaving fans reeling and questioning the band's internal dynamics.
The initial buzz started when Pete Townshend announced the change via an Instagram post, stating: "After many years of great work on drums from Zak, the time has come for a change. A poignant time. Zak has lots of new projects in hand and I wish him the best. Scott Devours, who has worked with Roger's solo band, will join The Who for our Final shows. Please welcome him."
However, the story took a dramatic turn when Starkey responded with his own statement, alleging that he was actually fired two weeks after being reinstated and was even asked to falsely claim he was quitting to pursue other musical endeavors. "This would be a lie. I love The Who and would never had quit," Starkey asserted, expressing his disappointment and clarifying that he refused to release a statement with false information.
This saga began in April, following a charity show at the Royal Albert Hall. Initially, reports surfaced that Zak Starkey had been dismissed after 29 years with the band, a claim later retracted by Townshend himself. Townshend even apologized to Scott Devours, who was caught up in the initial rumors of replacing Starkey.
Adding another layer to the plot, Starkey reportedly called out singer Roger Daltrey, jokingly accusing him of "bringing formal charges of overplaying." Despite the humor, Starkey admitted to being saddened by the initial dismissal, especially considering his long tenure with the band since joining in 1996 for the "Quadrophenia" revival tour.
With the upcoming farewell tour looming, which includes visits to iconic venues such as Madison Square Garden and the Hollywood Bowl, the decision to replace Starkey with Scott Devours raises questions about the band's direction and internal harmony as they prepare for what could be their final chapter. It will also be very interesting to see if Starkey will land a gig with the Foo Fighters.
The ongoing back-and-forth leaves fans wondering what truly transpired behind the scenes and what this means for the future of The Who's farewell tour. What are your thoughts on this surprising turn of events? Share your opinions in the comments below!
