[L-R] Roger Daltrey, Zak Starkey and Pete Townshend perform onstage as The Who

Nearly 30 years after he joined the band in 1996, The Who have parted ways with drummer Zak Starkey. According to The Independent, a representative for Starkey deems the split to be a “typical rock and roll falling out”.

The split was reportedly spurred on by Starkey’s performance at March’s pair of Teenage Cancer Trust charity gigs. “The band made a collective decision to part ways with Zak after this round of shows at the Royal Albert Hall,” a Who spokesperson has said.

Reviews of the show seem to show the bubbling frustration in the Who camp. A Metro review notes that the Royal Albert Hall gigs suffered because “Roger [Daltrey] couldn’t seem to hear through the noise of the drums”.

After a few “frustrated arm gestures and comments” the frontman reportedly paused their closing track, The Song Is Over. “To sing that song I do need to hear the key, and I can’t,” Daltrey apparently said. “All I’ve got is drums going boom, boom, boom. I can’t sing to that. I’m sorry guys.”

Despite seeming frustrated by Starkey’s playing, Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend continue to respect Starkey’s skills as a drummer. “They have nothing but admiration for him and wish him the very best for his future,” the spokesperson said.

The Independent’s exclusive also paints the split as less of a ‘sacking’ and more of an amicable parting of ways. The representative calls it a “collective decision” in the aftermath of a “typical rock and roll falling out.”

However, other sources have claimed that Starkey is not pleased with the decision. An insider told The Mirror that the split was “a little acrimonious to say the least”.

Starkey also took to Instagram with a “Daily Who Breaking News” post before word broke of the split. His caption – which we’ve edited for legibility – seems to suggest he’s a little peeved with the situation:

“Heard today from inside source that Roger Daltrey – lead singer and principal songwriter of the group – is unhappy with my performance at the Albert Hall a few weeks ago, is bringing formal charges of overplaying and is literally going to bring on a reserve.”

While the dense caption is bizarre, there are glimmers of passive aggression throughout. It seems Starkey is aware a “reserve” drummer will take his place, and perhaps feels the decision to simply replace him after nearly 30 years lacks ‘empathy’.

Since the original post, Zak Starkey has come out with a more official statement as to his dismissal from the band.

“I’m very proud of my near thirty years with The Who,” Starkey tells Rolling Stone. “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.”

“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, and 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.

Zak Starkey originally joined The Who during the Quadrophenia tour in 1996. Since, he has played with the likes of Oasis, Johnny Marr, and The Lightning Seeds. He’s also graced the stage with his father, Beatles drummer Ringo Starr.

The post “I’m surprised anyone would have an issue with my performance that night, but what can you do?”: Zak Starkey makes statement on his dismissal from The Who appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.