Photo: Bill Kelly

Following yesterday’s initial report that The Who had parted ways with drummer Zak Starkey, the longtime backbeat shared a statement with Variety regarding the decision and his future endeavors. 

“I’m very proud of my near thirty years with The Who. Filling the shoes of my Godfather, ‘uncle Keith’ has been the biggest honor and I remain their biggest fan,” Ringo Starr’s son said of the coveted role while referencing his dad’s friend and the band’s synonymous time keeper, the late Keith Moon. 

“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?” Starkey continued, nodding toward The Who’s Albert Hall shows, which served as his final with the sage British rock group. 

Looking toward the future, he concluded, “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. ​​29 years at any job is a good old run, and I wish them the best.”

The group’s current dispute and subsequent decision to part ways with Starkey relate to The Who’s Royal Albert Hall Concerts, which occurred last month as a charity endeavor for the Teenage Cancer Trust, at which bandleader Roger Daltry complained of Starkey overplaying during their March 30 gig, telling the audience: “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.”