In a stunning shakeup, The Who have officially parted ways with drummer Zak Starkey following a tense onstage moment during a recent show in London. The band, known for its explosive live performances and rock history spanning six decades, made the decision after a highly publicized dispute at the Royal Albert Hall.
During a performance of “The Song Is Over,” lead singer Roger Daltrey abruptly stopped mid-song, voicing frustration with the drum mix. Daltrey told the audience he couldn’t find the key due to the overpowering drums, stating, “All I’ve got is drums going boom, boom, boom. I can’t sing to that.” The moment quickly made waves among fans and sparked rumors of backstage tension.
Shortly after the show, The Who confirmed they would be moving forward without Starkey, noting that the decision was mutual and wishing him the best. Starkey, son of Beatles legend Ringo Starr, has played with The Who since the mid-90s and was widely regarded as the spiritual successor to original drummer Keith Moon.
Following the news, Starkey responded with a cheeky post referencing “overplaying charges” brought by a fictionalized version of Daltrey, indicating there may still be some unresolved friction behind the scenes.
No replacement has been named yet, and fans are left wondering what’s next both for Starkey and for The Who.
