What’s occurring, mun? The Who have only gone and done it again — firing poor Zak Starkey (Ringo Starr’s lad, no less) not once but twice in just a few weeks. Honestly, you couldn’t script this level of rock ‘n’ roll soap opera if you tried. Let’s dive into the madness, pint in hand 🍺🥁
⚡ The First Clash – Royal Albert Hall, March 2025
Picture it: posh old Royal Albert Hall, chandeliers sparkling, punters in their Sunday best ready to belt along to Baba O’Riley. Instead, Roger Daltrey starts having a go mid-show, moaning:
“All I’ve got is drums going boom, boom, boom!”
Oi oi, that’s a bit harsh, Rog! Poor Zak must’ve been tamping. Not long after, he was quietly shown the door. The official word? A “mutual decision.” Reality? Zak blindsided and gutted. Tidy start to the farewell run, eh? 🙄
🔄 Round Two – The Fake-Out Reunion
But hang on — just a few days later, Pete Townshend jumps online with a “nothing to see here” message. Apparently it was all just a “communication issue.” Cue Zak back behind the kit, all smiles. Fans breathed a sigh of relief. Surely that’s it? Surely peace had returned to Planet Who?
…yeah, right. 🤦♂️
🥁 The May Meltdown – Zak Fired AGAIN (19th May 2025)
Fast forward to 18–19 May and things properly kicked off. Pete Townshend posts on Instagram that “the time has come for a change” and announces Scott Devours (yes, the same fella who’s subbed in before) as the new drummer for their farewell gigs.
Zak wasn’t having any of it. Within an hour, he clapped back with his own post:
- Claimed he’d been asked to pretend he quit voluntarily.
- Said flat-out: “This would be a lie. I love The Who.”
- Called the whole thing out as a stitch-up.
Fair play to him — it takes guts to call out your own bandmates like that in public. Proper punk spirit. 🤘🔥
🎭 From Firing to “Retirement” – Changing the Tune
Just when fans were trying to make sense of it, Zak came out later in May with a new statement. Turns out Daltrey had described it as a “retirement” so Zak could work on his own projects. The pair apparently patched things up, with Zak insisting they’re still on good terms.
So… was he fired? Was he retired? Or was it a bit of both with a dodgy PR spin? Only The Who know for sure. 🤷♂️
🎸 Family Matters – Enter Ringo Starr
As if things weren’t spicy enough, Zak’s dad Ringo Starr threw his hat in the ring by June. He didn’t mince his words either, allegedly calling Daltrey a “little man” for the way he handled his son’s exit. Oof. Imagine that Christmas dinner chat. 🥴
Zak, to his credit, stayed classy — said there were no hard feelings and that he’d even consider playing with The Who again if the stars aligned. What a legend.
📅 The Zak Starkey Saga – Timeline of Chaos
| Date | Drama |
|---|---|
| March 2025 | Dodgy Royal Albert Hall gig. Daltrey moans about the drumming. |
| Mid-April 2025 | Zak fired. Shock and heartbreak. |
| Few days later | Rehired after “communication issues.” |
| 18–19 May 2025 | Townshend announces Zak is out. Zak fires back, saying he was actually fired. |
| 26 May 2025 | Zak says it’s a “retirement” and insists he’s on good terms with Rog. |
| June 2025 | Ringo defends his lad, calls out Daltrey. Zak stays classy. |
🤘 Verdict – A Rock Soap Opera for the Ages
So there we are, butt. Zak Starkey — fired, retired, unfired, refired, and somehow still dignified through it all. Meanwhile, The Who march on with Scott Devours for their big farewell shows.
Whatever side of the fence you’re on, you’ve got to admit: this is one of the most rock ‘n’ roll sagas we’ve seen in yonks. Proper messy, proper juicy, and proper Who. Tidy! 🏴
👉 What do you reckon, mun? Should Zak have stayed? Was Rog out of order? Or is it just classic band bust-up chaos? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and let’s have a proper pint-fuelled debate 🍻
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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