The Who’s Pete Townshend, 79, issues major update over ‘fall out’ with band’s drummer: ‘Blew up very quickly!’
Pete Townshend has issued a statement on the future of The Who’s drummer Zak Starkey via the legendary band’s official social media accounts.
Last week, it was reported that Starkey, 59, had been sacked by bandmates of 29 years – Townsend, 79, and Roger Daltrey, 81.
The band had initially announced their decision to part ways with Starkey, son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, following concerns over his performance at a Teenage Cancer Trust show at the Royal Albert Hall in March.
However, Townshend has now informed fans that Starkey remains a member of the band.
“News Flash! Who Zak Back! Zak is not being asked to step down from The Who,” the guitarist and vocalist announced on Saturday.
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The guitarist explained that “communication issues, personal and private on all sides” had needed to be addressed, but these matters “have been aired happily.”
The U-turn follows the announcement last week, according to The Mirror, from a band spokesman that they had, “made a collective decision to part ways with Zak after this round of shows at the Royal Albert Hall.”
During the performance, frontman Roger Daltrey had visibly expressed frustration, at one point interrupting the show to say: “All I’ve got is drums going boom, boom, boom. I can’t sing to that.”
Daltrey also complained: “To sing that song I do need to hear the key, and I can’t.”
Sources told The Mirror that the incident was “the final straw for the band.”
In his statement, Townshend took responsibility for some of the confusion surrounding the situation.
“Our TCT shows at the Royal Albert Hall were a little tricky for me. I thought that four and a half weeks would be enough time to recover completely from having a complete knee replacement,” he explained.
The 79-year-old suggested insufficient sound checks may have contributed to the problems on stage.
He acknowledged that while “Zak made a few mistakes and he has apologised,” the issues were exacerbated by his own recovery and stage sound difficulties.
“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.
“I owe Scott an apology for not crushing that rumour before it spread. He has been hurt by this. I promise to buy him a very long drink and give him a hug,” Townshend concluded.
News Flash! Who Backs Zak!
He’s not being asked to step down from The Who.
There have been some communication issues, personal and private on all sides, that needed to be dealt with, and these have been aired happily.
Roger and I would like Zak to tighten up his latest evolved… pic.twitter.com/mgfsolGz3s
— The Who (@TheWho) April 19, 2025
Starkey responded to his reinstatement with a brief social media message: “V grateful to be a part of The Who family Thanks Roger and Pete xx.”
Prior to rejoining, Starkey had expressed his surprise at the criticism of his playing.
“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?” he had stated.
Townshend clarified that he and Daltrey had asked Starkey “to tighten up his latest evolved drumming style to accommodate our non-orchestral line up.”
According to Townshend, Starkey “has readily agreed” to these adjustments.
Starkey’s performance issues may have been related to health problems he experienced earlier this year.
In January, the drummer suffered what he described as “a serious medical emergency with blood clots in my right bass drum calf.”
He had been forced to withdraw from a London gig with his supergroup Mantra of the Cosmos just hours before showtime.