After nearly three decades behind the kit for The Who, Zak Starkey has broken his silence about getting the boot. His reaction is, frankly, way more gracious than expected.
In a written statement via The Mirror, Starkey addressed the swirling reports that The Who had quietly let him go after their recent Royal Albert Hall shows, where Roger Daltrey reportedly called him out on stage for “overplaying” mid-set. According to Starkey, he’s just as baffled as the rest of us.
“I’m very proud of my near thirty years with The Who,” he wrote. “Filling the shoes of my Godfather, ‘uncle Keith’ has been the biggest honour and I remain their biggest fan.” He added that the band has “been like family,” and, just to clear the air, also confirmed that the blood clot in his leg earlier this year is fully healed and not affecting 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,” he continued. “But what can you do?”
It’s a calm, composed response for a situation that’s seemed anything but. As we reported yesterday, the split was allegedly “acrimonious to say the least,” with sources pointing fingers at the “standard” of drumming and the apparent onstage tension. Starkey’s clearly not buying that narrative.
Instead, he’s taking time off, spending it with family, and prepping to drop a new track with his other band Mantra of the Cosmos featuring Noel Gallagher, naturally. He’s also finishing an autobiography, which he pointed out is “written solely by me” which is likely a subtle dig.
“Twenty-nine years at any job is a good old run,” he signed off, “and I wish them the best.”
So there you have it. No drumsticks thrown. No bridges burned (quite yet). Just one of rock’s most under-appreciated drummers taking the high road while probably writing the juiciest book in the background.
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