The Who fire drummer Zak Starkey after 29 years

The Who have officially parted ways with longtime drummer Zak Starkey after nearly 30 years, following a series of performances at London's Royal Albert Hall. The band described the decision as a 'collective' one, expressing admiration for Starkey while acknowledging a recent 'huge fall out' that involved tensions with lead singer Roger Daltrey over Starkey's drumming during the shows. Daltrey reportedly struggled to hear himself due to Starkey's drumming, leading to multiple disruptions during the performance. Sources indicate that the situation surrounding Starkey's dismissal has been 'acrimonious,' leaving him upset, especially after hinting on social media that Daltrey was dissatisfied with his performances. Starkey, the son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, joined The Who in 1996 and has a personal connection to the band through its original drummer, Keith Moon, who was his godfather. The split follows Starkey's recovery from a health issue earlier this year, raising questions about the band's dynamics moving forward.