Zak Starkey Clarifies His Future with The Who
In a recent statement, Zak Starkey, son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, clarified his status with the rock band The Who. After a flurry of speculation about his departure from the group, Starkey wants to clear the air and address the confusion.
Just a month ago, Starkey hinted he was leaving The Who after an impressive 29-year run. However, Pete Townshend quickly countered this, stating Starkey was not leaving the band. Now, Starkey explains what really transpired.
“I had a wonderful chat with Roger [Daltrey] last week, but it seems we both got quite puzzled by the situation,” Starkey shared in an Instagram post. He clarified, “Rog told me I hadn’t been ‘fired’—I had been ‘retired’ to focus on my own projects,” he said. Starkey has recently spent time at his studio in Jamaica, finishing up some new music.
“I told Rog that I had just wrapped up a single with my band Mantra Of The Cosmos, set to release soon. I’m fully available to work with The Who moving forward,” Starkey stated. He expressed his fondness for the band and reassured fans that he’s still on good terms with them.
Fans around the world received his update warmly, even if they were initially left confused by the recent events. One fan commented, “It’s confusing, but as long as you’re okay, that’s what matters.” Another added, “I’m glad to see you’re still friends with Roger and Pete.”
The recent clarity comes after Starkey initially revealed his intention to step away from The Who to focus on family, personal projects, and his autobiography. He also mentioned a health issue involving a blood clot in his knee but assured fans it did not affect his drumming abilities.
Townshend later contributed to the dialogue, acknowledging some communication difficulties within the band but expressed optimism. He highlighted the need for Starkey to refine his drumming style to align with the band’s current setup.
With a better understanding now, fans can look forward to what’s next for Starkey and The Who.
