Former The Who Drummer Zak Starkey makes shocking confession after being fired

Zak Starkey has had an on-and-off relationship with his former rock band, The Who. The English drummer joined the band in 1996. He has recorded and toured with the band for almost three decades till 2025. However, over the years, Starkey has had rough patches with the band and was even fired from playing for The Who.

He decided to clear up the confusion about his on-and-off history with the English rock band. The problems with the band began this year in April, after which a spokesperson of the band revealed that they will be "parting ways" with the long-time drummer after a series of gigs he played in March. The statement said:

"the band made a collective decision to part ways with Zak after this round of shows at the Royal Albert Hall."

However, according to Zak Starkey, he was fired from The Who after he turned down a tour with another English rock band called Oasis. Keep reading to uncover Starkey's confession about his termination from the band.

More details about Zak Starkey's shifting dynamics with The Who

The "miscommunication" between Zak Starkey and The Who began this year in April, after the drummer was released from the band based on a collective decision. Starkey was surprised and sad at the sudden decision by the band. Later on, Pete Townshend, the main songwriter and second lead singer of The Who, addressed the dismissal as "communication issues."

In the following month, Townshend again said in a new statement:

"After many years of great work on drums from Zak the time has come for a change."

The Who took on Scott Devours to complete their lineup for their final shows last month.

However, Zak Starkey also had something to say and add to what Pete Townshend had said. Zak clarified that he was not actually fired from The Who, but it was his own decision to retire and:

"work [on] my own projects."

But during his most recent interview with The Telegraph, this is what Zak had to say:

"What happened was I got it right and Roger got it wrong."

This was based on what happened during their gigs at The Who’s Royal Albert Hall shows. During the performances, lead singer Roger Daltrey had to stop in the middle of many songs, claiming that he found it difficult to hear the band because of the drums. According to Starkey, during their rendition of The Song Is Over, Roger Daltrey:

"came in a bar early."

After this incident, Bill Curbishley, The Who's manager, called the drummer and said:

"‘It's my unfortunate duty to inform you that you won't be needed from now on. Roger says you dropped some beats."

After he was welcomed back to the band and let go again, this is what Starkey had to say:

"I dont blame anyone. I blame The Who because they're unpredictable, aggressive and f**king insane."

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After Zak Starkey brought up the part where he declined working on tour with Oasis, he mentioned it was because of his loyalty to The Who. He concluded his interview with The Telegraph by saying that after his recent conversation with Roger Daltrey, the latter said:

"Don’t take your drums out of [The Who’s] warehouse yet in case we need you."

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