Zak Starkey Announces Unexpected Return to The Who Following Townshend’s Shocking Statement…
In a twist few fans saw coming, Zak Starkey is reportedly making an unexpected return to The Who after a tumultuous month filled with firings, confusion, and controversy. The son of Beatles legend Ringo Starr and a fixture behind The Who’s drum kit since 1996, Starkey had been dismissed twice in just a few weeks — the second time following a heated dispute over performance issues and public messaging.
Tensions boiled over after Starkey’s performance at the Royal Albert Hall in March, which drew criticism from frontman Roger Daltrey. Starkey, who later revealed he had recently recovered from serious health issues involving blood clots, maintained he was unfairly blamed and claimed he was even asked to lie about the reasons behind his departure.
However, following Pete Townshend’s recent statement expressing regret over how the situation unfolded — and acknowledging that the drama had become a media spectacle — Starkey appears to be returning to the lineup, at least temporarily. Townshend’s remarks reportedly included an apology for the handling of Starkey’s exit and recognition of his long-standing contributions to the band’s live sound and chemistry.
Fans are divided: some welcome the reunion, citing Starkey’s signature energy and legacy, while others wonder if this back-and-forth signals deeper issues within the iconic group as they gear up for their “Song Is Over” farewell tour. With Scott Devours still slated to perform on some tour dates, it remains unclear how permanent Starkey’s return will be.
What is certain is that The Who continues to make headlines not just for their music, but for the drama behind the scenes — proving that even after decades, rock and roll is anything but predictable. Stay tuned.
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