The Who Part Ways with Longtime Drummer Zak Starkey After Royal Albert Hall Tension

The Who Part Ways with Longtime Drummer Zak Starkey After Royal Albert Hall Tension

The Who may have quietly severed ties with their longtime drummer, Zak Starkey, following a string of tense performances at the Royal Albert Hall. Though representatives for both parties describe the move as a “mutual decision,” fans are buzzing over what appeared to be visible strain between Starkey and frontman Roger Daltrey during the band’s most recent shows.

Zak Starkey, son of Beatles legend Ringo Starr, has been behind the kit for The Who since 1996. His powerful, energetic drumming style helped define the band’s live sound for nearly three decades. But at the Albert Hall shows, Daltrey’s comments hinted at growing friction. Onstage, he criticized the drum mix, saying it overpowered other instruments and made it hard to “hear the key.”

Insiders say the tension had been building for months. Some reports claim the band was unhappy with how Starkey’s drumming evolved in recent tours, leaning more into bombast than precision. Others say Daltrey felt the chemistry on stage had shifted, disrupting the group’s overall balance.

For fans, the split marks the end of an era. Starkey wasn’t just a hired hand — he was seen as a natural successor to Keith Moon, not only because of his rock lineage but because of how well he captured The Who’s signature chaotic energy without going off the rails. His absence will likely be felt deeply by long-time followers of the band.

Despite the drama, The Who have yet to officially announce a replacement. Some speculate that session drummers may be brought in for future dates, while others believe Pete Townshend might opt to scale back live shows entirely. Daltrey, who has suggested retiring from touring in the past, may be using this as a turning point.

Zak Starkey has not issued a formal statement but shared a cryptic Instagram post shortly after the Albert Hall shows. The post featured a black-and-white image of an empty stage with the caption: “Sometimes silence is the loudest note.” Fans flooded the comments with support and speculation.

If this is indeed the end of Starkey’s time with The Who, it closes a significant chapter in the band’s modern history. His contribution helped keep The Who’s legacy alive into the 21st century. Now, the band must decide whether to move forward with a new drummer — or take this as a signal to bow out gracefully.

Regardless of what comes next, one thing is clear: The tension at Royal Albert Hall wasn’t just technical. It may have been the final act in a creative partnership that had simply run its course.