Rock and roll is usually a messy business, but the drama involving Zak Starkey with The Who over the last year has been next-level. Most people know Zak as the son of Ringo Starr. Or maybe they know him as the kid who grew up calling Keith Moon "Uncle Keith." But for nearly thirty years, he wasn’t just a legacy act. He was the literal engine of one of the greatest bands to ever walk a stage.
Then things got weird. For another perspective, see: this related article.
In early 2025, after decades of service, the news broke that Zak was out. Then he was in. Then he was out again. It was a "bleedon' squeezebox" of a situation, as Zak himself put it. If you're wondering how the longest-serving drummer in The Who's history suddenly found himself on the outside looking in, you're not alone.
The Keith Moon Connection (It’s Not What You Think)
Common wisdom says Ringo taught Zak to play. Wrong. Ringo actually only gave him one lesson in his life. He didn't want the kid in the business. It was Keith Moon who gave an eight-year-old Zak his first professional kit—the iconic white Premier set Moon used on his final tours. Further reporting regarding this has been published by Entertainment Weekly.
Zak didn't just inherit the gear; he inherited the spirit.
When he joined the Quadrophenia tour in 1996, he didn't try to be a Keith Moon impersonator. That would’ve been pathetic. Instead, he channeled that specific brand of controlled chaos that Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey hadn't felt since 1978. Pete famously called him the "karmic Keith Moon."
Honestly, he saved the band's live legacy. Before Zak, the drums often felt too polite or too technical. Zak brought back the violence.
The Royal Albert Hall Meltdown
Fast forward to March 2025. The Who played a couple of shows for the Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall. On paper, it should’ve been a victory lap. Instead, Roger Daltrey was visibly frustrated on stage. At one point, he even stopped "The Song is Over" because he couldn't hear the key over the drums.
"All I've got is drums going boom, boom, boom," Roger told the crowd.
Shortly after, the "formal charges" came. Zak claimed he was being accused of overplaying. Think about that for a second. This is The Who. A band built on the concept of overplaying. It's like firing a chef for using too much flavor.
What went wrong?
- Monitor Issues: Roger is nearly deaf and relies heavily on his in-ears. If the mix is off, he’s lost.
- Physical Limits: Pete was recovering from knee surgery and couldn't keep his usual pace.
- Technical Drift: The band felt Zak’s style had "evolved" in a way that didn't fit their current non-orchestral setup.
The In-and-Out Mayhem
The timeline of April and May 2025 felt like a soap opera. On April 17, Zak was officially gone. By April 19, Pete posted a "News Flash" saying "Who Back Zak!" claiming it was all a big misunderstanding and communication breakdown.
It didn't last.
By mid-May, the axe fell for good. Pete issued a statement saying it was "time for a change." They brought in Scott Devours, a drummer who had subbed for Zak before and played in Roger's solo band.
The real kicker? Zak revealed on Instagram that he was asked to lie. He said the band wanted him to put out a statement saying he quit to focus on his other projects, like his supergroup Mantra of the Cosmos. He refused. "I love The Who and would never have quit," he wrote.
Why Zak Starkey with The Who Still Matters
Even with the messy ending, you can't ignore the math. Zak played with The Who for nearly 30 years. That’s more than double Keith Moon’s tenure. He was the backbone for:
- The legendary 2001 Concert for New York City.
- The 2010 Super Bowl Halftime Show.
- The 2012 London Olympics Closing Ceremony.
- Studio albums like Endless Wire and the 2019 self-titled Who.
He wasn't just a session guy. He was family. But as the band prepares for their 2026 North American Farewell Tour, the vibe has shifted. Pete and Roger are in "retirement mode," looking for a steadier, perhaps more predictable beat. Zak, who is 20 years younger, still has a lot of "fire in his belly," which apparently became a liability for two men in their 80s trying to manage their stage volume.
Moving Forward
If you're a fan of Zak’s drumming, don't worry about his unemployment. He’s arguably busier now than he was with the legends. Between Mantra of the Cosmos (with Noel Gallagher and Shaun Ryder) and his reggae projects in Jamaica, he’s doing exactly what he wants.
What you should do next: If you want to understand the "overplaying" controversy for yourself, go back and watch the 12-12-12 Sandy Relief concert footage. Pay attention to how Zak pushes the tempo on "Baba O'Riley." It's aggressive, loud, and brilliant. Compare that to recent clips of Scott Devours. You’ll hear the difference immediately—one is a heavy-hitting rock star, the other is a world-class professional. Both are great, but only one sounds like the 1960s coming back to life.
Check out Zak's latest work with Domino Bones to see where his head is at now. It’s a far cry from "Pinball Wizard," and that’s probably exactly why he’s okay with the "charges" brought against him.
