The Who fires Zak Starkey, Ringo Starr's son, after 29 years

Zak Starkey, the son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, has been dismissed from The Who after nearly 30 years with the band, following a reported 'huge fallout' with founding members Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend. The split occurred after a series of performances at London’s Royal Albert Hall, where Daltrey publicly criticized Starkey’s drumming, claiming it disrupted his ability to sing during the shows. Official statements from The Who emphasized admiration for Starkey and wished him well, but multiple sources report that the decision was due to dissatisfaction with his recent performances, particularly allegations of 'overplaying.' Starkey appeared to respond to the situation with pointed social media posts referencing Daltrey's criticism, further highlighting tensions within the band. Insiders described the situation as 'acrimonious,' with some questioning the fairness of firing Starkey over a few subpar shows, while others acknowledged the need for high musical standards. Despite the controversy, Starkey is recognized as an extremely talented drummer whose family and professional ties to The Who run deep.