The Who star Zak Starkey has shared his thoughts after being sacked from the band. The son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, Zak had been with the band for three decades.
Rumours have circulated the group were unhappy with his performances last month when they played shows for the Teenage Cancer Trust charity, at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
First joining the band in 1994, Zak backed the legendary Roger Daltrey on an American tour. Two years later, he joined The Who when the surviving members reunited for a tour celebrating their 1973 LP Quadrophenia.
The news announced yesterday by the Mirror Online confirmed Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend made the decision to part ways with the drummer.
According to Mirror Online, a spokesperson said: “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.”
Speaking to Rolling Stone magazine, In his first public statement since the group let him go, Zak said: “I’m very proud of my near thirty years with The Who, filling the shoes of my Godfather, ‘uncle Keith’ has been the biggest honour 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.”
He added: “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.
“I will 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 Who have a tour upcoming but they are playing two shows in Italy in late July. They have yet to announce who will replace Zak on drums at those gigs.
Zak was the drummer for Oasis from 2004 – 2008 when he replaced Alan White in the band. It has been speculated he could return to the band for the highly anticipated reunion shows this year. However, Zak has remained tight-lipped on whether this will be case after he was quizzed on the matter by numerous outlets.
Zak has also been part of Liverpool bands the Lightning Seeds and the Icicle Works across his career in the industry. He has a strong connection with Liverpool, and played a gig in the Cavern earlier this year.
After the gig, he told the ECHO: “It was very surreal. I was s***ting it – proper s***ting it until I got on there and it was amazing. “The music is like holy music isn’t it. Before I was s***ting my pants. I was sitting in my room and I text Noel saying I was s***ting it.”