Zak Starkey has spoken out after he was let go from The Who after nearly three decades as their drummer. Starkey, the son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, revealed that he experienced a serious medical issue in January involving blood clots in his right calf, but clarified that the condition has fully healed and has no impact on his drumming. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for The Who told The Guardian that the decision to part ways with Starkey was mutual within the band, and that they continue to hold him in high regard.
In a statement provided to Rolling Stone, Starkey said he was “surprised and saddened” that singer Roger Daltrey had allegedly criticized his performance at a recent Royal Albert Hall show in London: “I’m very proud of my near thirty years with The Who. Filling the shoes of my Godfather, ‘uncle Keith [Moon]’ has been the biggest honor and I remain their biggest fan. They’ve been like family to me. 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. 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? I plan to take some much needed time off with my family, and focus on the release of ‘Domino Bones’ by Mantra of the Cosmos with Noel Gallagher in May and finishing my autobiography written solely by me. Twenty-nine years at any job is a good old run and I wish them the best.”
The performances in question took place on March 18 and 20 as part of a benefit for the Teenage Cancer Trust, a cause long supported by Daltrey. According to Metro, Daltrey—who recently disclosed issues with his hearing and eyesight—appeared visibly frustrated on stage, stopping songs mid-performance and citing difficulties hearing over Starkey’s drums. During a performance of “The Song Is Over,” Daltrey told the audience (seen here at about the 3:10 mark): “To sing that song I do need to hear the key, and I can’t. All I’ve got is drum sound: boom, boom, boom. And I can’t sing to that. I’m sorry guys.”
Starkey first joined The Who in 1996 during their Quadrophenia reunion tour. Alongside his tenure with The Who, Starkey has also performed with acts like Oasis, Johnny Marr, and Paul Weller, and currently plays in the supergroup Mantra of the Cosmos, which includes members of Happy Mondays, Oasis, and Ride.
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