For nearly three decades, Zak Starkey was the force behind The Who’s fierce live shows. As the son of The Beatles legend Ringo Starr, he wasn’t just another drummer, he was rock royalty. But in 2025, fans were shocked when a shocking headline broke: Zak Starkey has been kicked out of The Who after 29 years.
The news came shortly after a performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall, where tensions between Starkey and lead singer Roger Daltrey were reportedly at a breaking point.
Starkey has been a prominent face with the band since 1996, playing hundreds of shows and helping keep The Who’s legacy alive. So what went wrong? Was it a personal conflict? A musical difference? Or the natural end of a long journey?
Why did The Who fire Zak Starkey?
Zak Starkey playing drums for The Who (Credit @Kubacheck/Wikimedia Commons)
Zak Starkey had been playing drums for The Who since 1996. He wasn’t just a touring member, he was considered a vital part of the band’s live identity. But in 2025, fans were shocked when news broke that he had been fired from the band after several live performances.
According to The Guardian, tensions had been growing between Starkey and Roger Daltrey. This came to a head during a show at the Royal Albert Hall when Daltrey stopped mid-song to publicly express his displeasure at the sound of the drums. He didn’t name names, but everyone knew the reference was to Starkey.
The Who’s lead guitarist and co-founder, Pete Townshend, reportedly sided with Daltrey. The band described the decision to fire Starkey as a collective one, but fans and music industry insiders believed it was the result of an internal dispute.
As soon as the news went public, Starkey posted a photo on Instagram of himself with Daltrey. In the caption, he took a dig in a parody-news style, mocking the media coverage and hinting at backstage drama. Although he didn’t say anything directly, the tone of his words indicated he was unhappy with the decision, and perhaps it felt more personal than professional.
By using humor and sarcasm, he called out Daltrey or Pete Townshend and managed to convey his disbelief. It was a classic example of Starkey’s personality, blunt yet clever. This post left fans with a lingering question: was Starkey truly upset about the professional conflict, or was there something deeper beneath the surface of the band’s breakup?
What’s Next for Zak Starkey After Leaving The Who?
View this post on Instagram A post shared by therealzakstarkey (@therealzakstarkey)
While there has been no official word, insiders believe creative differences and personal conflicts were the reasons behind the departure. Starkey had been with the band for decades, but even longtime collaborators can sometimes clash.
Zak Starkey is a seasoned musician who has had an impressive career outside of The Who. A 2006 report on the Modern Drummer states that he has worked with Oasis, Johnny Marr, and many other artists. He also runs a music label called Trojan Jamaica.
He will likely remain active in the music industry, whether it’s session work, touring with other artists, or working on his music label. He has great influence from his father, Ringo Starr, a legend who was in The Beatles. Starkey has decades of experience, and the Starkey name still holds much significance in the music world today.
Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend have toured with The Who over the years, even though the lineup has changed. Starkey was a key part of their live sound, but now the band is expected to move forward with a new drummer. So far, the band has not announced an official replacement.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
