Zak Starkey returns to The Who after short-lived firing, "communication issues" seemingly resolved

Zak Starkey is back in the English rock band The Who, days after his apparent dismissal from the group.

According to The Mirror, the 59-year-old musician has remained the drummer in the band since 1996, and is the son of The Beatles’ drummer Ringo Starr and his first wife, Maureen Cox.

Pete Townshend, The Who’s guitarist and co-founder, announced Zak’s re-hiring in an Instagram post on April 19, 2025. His message started with a headline, which read –

“News Flash! Who Backs Zak!”

He then continued,

“He’s not being asked to step down from The Who. There have been some communication issues, personal and private on all sides, that needed to be dealt with, and these have been aired happily.”

“Roger and I would like Zak to tighten up his latest evolved drumming style to accommodate our non-orchestral line up and he has readily agreed. I take responsibility for some of the confusion.”

His message read. Townshend also stated that “Zak made a few mistakes and he has apologised.”

The Who had reportedly parted ways with Starkey following disagreements regarding his performance during the band's Teenage Cancer Trust charity concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall in late March 2025.

Here is what we know about Starkey’s disbandment from The Who.

Read more: "I’m surprised and saddened": Zak Starkey breaks silence after being fired from The Who

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All About Zak Starkey’s disbandment from The Who

According to a report in The New York Post, The Who’s Pete Townshend and frontman Roger Daltrey parted ways with their longtime drummer Zak Starkey after their performance at the Royal Albert Hall in support of the Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT).

The band earlier confirmed the news in a statement, which read:

“The band made a collective decision to part ways with Zak after this round of shows at the Royal Albert Hall. They have nothing but admiration for him and wish him the very best for his future.”

Reportedly, Daltrey expressed dissatisfaction with Starkey's drumming, accusing him of “overplaying.” He stopped a performance mid-song (during the band’s final song, The Song Is Over) and complained, saying:

“To sing that song I do need to hear the key, and I can’t. All I’ve got is drums going boom, boom, boom. I can’t sing to that. I’m sorry, guys.”

The incident led to a mutual decision for Starkey to leave the band, with the spokespersons noting that the band members wish him their best regards for his future.

A report in The Telegraph stated that in a now-deleted Instagram post, the drummer shared a photo along with Daltrey with a caption that read:

“Heard today from inside source that Toger Daktrey [sic], lead singer and principal songwriter of the group, unhappy with Zak the drummer’s performance at the Albert Hall a few weeks ago, is bringing formal charges of overplaying and is literally going to Zak the drummer.”

In January, The Sun reported Starkey's band Mantra of the Cosmos was forced to cancel a scheduled London gig due to Starkey suffering from a blood clot in his right leg. He was advised to take blood thinners for two weeks to prevent blood clots and rest until he recovers.