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Zak Starkey Fired from The Who After Royal Albert Hall Tension

The longtime drummer's departure follows performance concerns and reported fallout during charity shows for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

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Overview

  • The Who has confirmed the firing of Zak Starkey, their drummer of nearly 30 years, citing performance issues during recent charity concerts.
  • The decision came after March 2025 shows at the Royal Albert Hall, where tensions reportedly arose over Starkey's drumming style, described by Roger Daltrey as 'overplaying.'
  • Starkey had previously faced health challenges, including a blood clot in January, which may have impacted his recent performances.
  • Sources close to the band have described the split as 'acrimonious,' though The Who expressed admiration for Starkey and wished him well.
  • No replacement for Starkey has been announced, leaving uncertainty about the band's future lineup for upcoming performances.