A spokesperson from The Who has issued a statement to announce they have parted ways with Zak Starkey
A spokesperson from The Who has issued a statement to announce they have parted ways with Zak Starkey
22:25, 15 Apr 2025Updated 22:29, 15 Apr 2025
The Who has issued a statement amid reports the band has dropped Zak Starkey from the group. Ringo Starr’s son has been a member of the famous band since 1996.
However, Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend have now made the decision to part ways with the 59-year-old. According to Mirror Online, a spokesperson said: “The band made a collective decision to part ways with Zak after this round of shows at the Royal Albert Hall.
“They have nothing but admiration for him and wish him the very best for his future.” Zak spoke to the ECHO earlier this year after his supergroup, Mantra Of The Cosmos, played at the Cavern Club.
The group, which also includes Happy Mondays singer Shaun Ryder, percussionist Mark ‘Bez’ Berry and former Oasis guitarist Andy Bell, played two gigs at the Cavern Club – the Mathew Street venue made famous by The Beatles – on Sunday (January 19).
About playing the Cavern, Zak told the ECHO: “It was very surreal. I was s***ting it – proper s***ting it until I got on there and it was amazing.
“The music is like holy music isn’t it. Before I was s***ting my pants. I was sitting in my room and I text Noel saying I was s***ting it.
“He said ‘get down there and get on, what are you talking about?’.”
Asked if he found the occasion daunting, Zak said: “No, this is our band – it’s not daunting, it’s just great. But The Beatles are daunting”.
After the gig, Zak was forced to cancel the Mantra Of The Cosmos gig at Karma Sanctum Soho in London due to a blood clot.
He was advised to rest and take blood thinners for two weeks. Despite the cancellation, celebrities and music fans poured into the venue where a video of the band’s performance at the Cavern Club on January 19 was played instead.
Oasis star Noel Gallagher joined the group on their new psychedelic track ‘Domino Bones (Gets Dangerous)’, released at The Cavern. Further singles and an album are in the works.
Zak was the drummer for Oasis from 2004 – 2008 when he replaced Alan White in the band. It has been speculated he could return to the band for the highly anticipated reunion shows this year.
However, Zak has remained tight-lipped on whether this will be case after he was quizzed on the matter by numerous outlets.
Zak has also been part of Liverpool bands the Lightning Seeds and the Icicle Works across his career in the industry.