Ahead of the Who’s latest farewell tour, Pete Townshend announced that the band has parted ways with drummer Zak Starkey… for real this time.
“After many years of great work on drums from Zak the time has come for a change,” the guitarist wrote on his official Instagram Sunday. “A poignant time. Zak has lots of new projects in hand and I wish him the best.”
Starkey confirmed his exit in a response to Townshend’s post: “I was fired two weeks after reinstatement and asked to make a statement saying I had quit the who to pursue my other musical endevours this would be a lie. 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 x”
Starkey’s departure comes just a month after their drummer of three decades was fired and rehired by the band in the span of a week. Rumors had previously swirled that the group was unhappy with his performance when they played a pair of Teenage Cancer Trust charity shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall in March.
“The band made a collective decision to part ways with Zak after this round of shows at the Royal Albert Hall,” a representative for the band said on April 16. “They have nothing but admiration for him and wish him the very best for his future.”
“In January, I suffered a serious medical emergency with blood clots in my right bass drum calf. This is now completely healed and does not affect my drumming or running,” Starkey explained in a written statement to Rolling Stone on April 16. “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?”
Just three days later — with the Who’s The Song Is Over farewell tour announcement on the horizon — Townshend revealed on social media, “News Flash! Who back Zak!”
“Zak is not being asked to step down from The Who,” the guitarist added. “There have been some communication issues, personal and private on all sides, that needed to be dealt with, and these have been aired happily.”
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Earlier this month, the Who announced their farewell North American tour, which was expected to have Starkey in tow. However, the band has already found its replacement.
“Scott Devours who has worked with Roger’s solo band will join The Who for our Final shows,” Townshend said Sunday. “Please welcome him.”
