The Who fires long-time drummer, Ringo Starr's son Zak Starkey after 'huge fall out': reports New York Post The Who fires long-time drummer, Ringo Starr's son Zak Starkey after 'huge fall out'
The Who has parted ways with its longtime drummer Zak Starkey. PEOPLE can confirm that he has split from the band
Starkey was with the band for 29 years. Zak Starkey is no longer with The Who.
PEOPLE can confirm that the drummer, 59, who is the son of The Beatles drummer Sir Ringo Starr and his first wife Maureen Starkey, has parted ways with the rock band after nearly 29 years.
"I’m very proud of my near 30 years with The Who," Starkey tells PEOPLE in a statement on Wednesday, April 16. "Filling the shoes of my Godfather, 'uncle Keith' has been the biggest honor and I remain their biggest fan. They’ve been like family to me."
He added: "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 added, appearing to reference a Metro report where Roger Daltrey had repeatedly said he was struggling to hear over the drums during The Who's Royal Albert Hall show last month. "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."
Source: people.com/Ilana Kaplan
