The Who have parted ways with long-time drummer Zak Starkey — for the second time in just over a month.
Guitarist Pete Townshend confirmed the news via Instagram on Monday, announcing that Starkey, who has played with the band since 1996, is no longer part of the line-up.
The move comes just weeks after Starkey was reportedly dismissed and then swiftly reinstated. Neither Townshend nor Roger Daltrey have publicly commented on the reasons behind the latest decision.
The move comes just months ahead of the legendary band’s farewell tour across North America after they announced to retire from touring after 60 years.
Townshend confirmed that drummer Scott Devours will step in to replace Starkey for the upcoming dates.
The statement read: “After many years of great work on drums from Zak the time has come for a change. A poignant time. Zak has lots of new projects in hand and I wish him the best.”
In a second post, Pete and Roger Daltrey added: “The Who are heading for retirement, whereas Zak is 20yrs younger and has a great future with his new band and other exciting projects. He needs to devote all his energy into making it all a success. We both wish him all the luck in the world.
“Scott Devours – Who fans will know him from Roger’s solo shows – will be replacing Zak. We hope all our fans will welcome him. Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey'”.
The plot thickens however, as Starkey has since claimed his exit was not a mutual decision and that he was sacked.
Resharing The Who's post, Starkey fired back: “I was fired two weeks after reinstatement and asked to make a statement saying I had quit the who to pursue my other musical endevours this would be a lie.
“I love The Who and would never have quit. So I didn’t make the statement ….quitting The Who would also have let down the countless amazing people who stood up for me (thank you all a million times over and more) thru the weeks of mayhem of me going ‘in an out an in an out an in an out like a bleedin squeezebox x
To clarify ‘other projects’, yes, I do have other projects and always have. The Who have been sporadic or minimalist in touring most years apart from a two extensive tours in 2000 and 2006/7.”
Continuing to list his other previous projects, he then added: “Releasing singles but not touring cos members are so busy. None of this has ever interfered with The Who and was never a problem for them .
“The lie is or would have been that I quit The Who- I didn’t. I love the who and everyone in it.”
The Standard has contacted a representative for The Who for comment.
