Drummer had been taken from the band – and days later rehired – amid real confusion; He had been part of the training since 1996
Zak Starkey He is no longer a drummer at The Who. Again. A month after his troubled dismissal and rehiring, the musician, a member since 1996, had his departure confirmed once and for all this Sunday, 18.
Starkey himself confirmed the news through his Instagram profile. Shortly before, the guitarist Pete Townshend had published a note on the subject.
Zak said, entitled to accuse former colleagues to recommend that he lies:
“I was fired two weeks after my reintegration and asked me to make a statement saying I had left The Who to follow my other musical projects. That would be a lie. I love The Who and I would never have left. So I didn’t make the statement.”
Ringo Starr’s son and a confessed fan of Keith Moon – quoted by him as “uncle” – adds:
“Getting out of The Who would also have disappointed the numerous amazing people who supported me (thanks to all a million times and more) during the weeks of chaos I entered and went out, entered and left, entered and came out like a compression box.”
See this photo on InstagramA publication shared by Therealzakstarkey (@therealzakstarkey)
In turn, guitarist Pete Townshend, on behalf of The Who, stated:
“After many years of Zak’s great battery work, it’s time for change. An intense moment. Zak has a lot of new projects in hand and I wish him all the best. Scott Devrswho worked with Roger Daltrey in a solo career, will join The Who for our final shows. Please welcome him. ”
See this photo on InstagramA publication shared by Yolanda Tarbox (@yaggerdang)
Zak Starkey’s situation
Starkey’s departure occurs just a month after the drummer was fired and rehired by the band within a week. Rumors had already circulated that the group was dissatisfied with their presentation at two charity shows of the Tenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall in London in March. At the time, a representative stated:
“The band made the collective decision to separate from Zak after this round of shows at Royal Albert Hall. They have only admiration for him and wish her the best for his future.”
Also at that time, Zak said in a written statement to Rolling Stone USA:
“In January, I suffered a serious medical emergency with blood clots in the right calf. Now, I’m completely healed and does not affect my battery or my races. After playing these songs with the band for so many decades, I am surprised and sad that someone has bothered with my performance that night, but what can be done?”
Just three days later – with the announcement of the farewell tour The Song is Over approaching – Townshend revealed on social networks:
“Last minute news! Who supports Zak! Zak is not being invited to move away from The Who. There were some personal and private communication problems on all sides, which needed to be solved, and these problems were resolved with joy.”
The Who Farewell
After speculation, The Who At the beginning of the month announced a farewell tour in North America. The presentations of “The Song Is Over – The North American Farewell Tour” It takes place between August and September this year, in the United States and Canada.
An interesting word game seems to indicate that, in fact, the group will not retire once and for all. The excursion was announced as a “US farewell tour”-that is, there are chances that the group formed in England continues to perform on other continents.
On the other hand, it doesn’t sound so likely. The vocalist Roger Daltrey and the guitarist Pete Townshendleaders and unique remnants of classical formation, have, respectively, 81 and 79 years.
This is the second farewell of The Who. In the early 1980s, the group held an alleged final excursion, a few years after the drummer’s death Keith Moonoccurred in 1978. However, after sporadic meetings in 1988 and 1989, the activities were resumed once and for all in 1996 – and did not cease even after the bassist’s death John Entwistlein 2002.
The news was released during a press conference at the Iconic Images Gallery in Piccadilly, London. Townshend was at the scene, while Daltrey participated for a video conferencing.
In a note, Roger states:
“The dream of every musician in the early 1960s was to be successful in the American charts. For The Who, this dream came true in 1967 and our lives have changed forever. The warmth of the American audience over the years has been inspiring to me and reflects the feeling I remember to hear the first rock records on radio. Rock! Rock has given us a sense of generational rebellion. Cultural differences had a huge impact on me, this was the land of possibilities. It is not easy to close the much of my life that went to tour with The Who. Thanks for being with us and eager to see them last time. ”
In turn, Pete declares:
“Well, all the good things come to an end. It’s a moving moment. For me, touching the American and Canadian audiences has always been amazing. The warmth and engagement of this audience started in 1967, with hippies smoking marijuana, sitting on their blankets and listening to deep and intensely. The song was everywhere. We all felt the same. And John Entwistle and, of course, of all our longtime fans of The Who. I must say that although the journey has not always been pleasant to me, it is usually easy: the best job I could have had. New who can participate to see what they have lost in the last 57 years. This tour will be about good memories, love and laughter.
The Who says goodbye as one of the greatest rock bands of all time. With over 100 million albums sold and a career started in 1964, the group is quoted as one of the most influential of style, either by helping to develop hard rock and heavy metal or by originating the concept of “opera rock”.
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*With text by Daniel Kreps / Rolling Stone USA.
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
