This famous musician’s son gets fired ‘again’ from legendary rock band: “The lie is or would have been that I quit ”

Last month, Zak Starkey was ousted from his session gig with The Who but after being provisionally reinstated, he’s been given the boot again - as the rock legends rehearse for what will probably be their final tour.

The Who parted ways with Zak, son of former Beatle Ringo Starr, back in April following reports of a tense disagreement on stage - an acrimonious exchange of words that reportedly left the 59-year-old drummer deeply upset.

Zak sacked again

A Who statement read: “The band made a collective decision to part ways with Zak after this round of shows at the Royal Albert Hall. They have nothing but admiration for him and wish him the very best for his future.”

Tech problems at the Royal Albert Hall

The band played four nights at the Royal Albert Hall in London in March - charity concerts with proceeds going to the Teenage Cancer Trust. The last show was on 30 March. The night was plagued by technical issues with Daltrey struggling with his in-ear monitors and having to stop the show twice.

Three days after sacking Starkey, Townshend U-turned and reinstated the drummer, citing “communication issues - personal and private on all sides” were behind it all and that Zak would continue with the group for their upcoming live dates over the summer.

But three weeks on, Zak’s been frozen out once again and it appears that the band will be taking another drummer with them on ‘The Song Is Over’ tour, which will see them perform in Italy, Canada and the United States.

Townshend confirmed the news on Instagram: “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. Scott Devours who has worked with Roger’s solo band will join the Who for our final shows. Please welcome him.”

Zak Starkey gutted to be left out in the cold

Starkey has since given his version of events, writing on social media: “I was fired two weeks after reinstatement and asked to make a statement saying I had quit the Who to pursue my other musical endeavors. This would be a lie. I love the Who and would never had 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.”

Kenney Jones occupied the drumseat following Keith Moon’s death in 1978. Simon Phillips then Starkey were later drafted as session men - the latter being the band’s go-to percussionist since 1996.

Extra night added in Chicago

The Who head out on tour in July, stopping off in Italy for two dates before heading to the US. An extra Chicago date has been added on September 9 and details about the support acts, which include: Billy Bob Thornton and The Boxmasters, Billy Idol, Booker T. Jones, Candlebox, Feist, Joe Bonamassa, The Joe Perry Project, Tom Cochrane, and ZZ Ward.

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