19 Apr 2025
News Flash! Who Back Zak!
He’s not being asked to step down from The Who.
There have been some communication issues, personal and private on all sides, that needed to be dealt with, and these have been aired happily.
Roger and I would like Zak to tighten up his latest evolved drumming style to accommodate our non-orchestral line up and he has readily agreed. I take responsibility for some of the confusion. Our TCT shows at the Royal Albert Hall were a little tricky for me. I thought that four and a half weeks would be enough time to recover completely from having a complete knee replacement. (Why did I ever think I could land on my knees?) Wrong!
Maybe we didnāt put enough time into sound checks, giving us problems on stage. The sound in the centre of the stage is always the most difficult to work with. Roger did nothing wrong but fiddle with his in-ear monitors. Zak made a few mistakes and he has apologised. Albeit with a rubber duck drummer.
We are a family, this blew up very quickly and got too much oxygen. Itās over. We move forward now with optimism and fire in our bellies.
As for Roger, fans can enjoy his forthcoming solo shows with his fabulous drummer, Scott Devours, who it was rumoured might replace Zak in The Who and has always been supportive of the band.
I owe Scott an apology for not crushing that rumour before it spread. He has been hurt by this. I promise to buy him a very long drink and give him a hug.
Pete Townshend
19 April 2025
Thank you for posting this Pete it quiets everything down once and for all…so the song isn’t over same as the old boss. Tho I would like to see Zak go back to a traditional drum kit.
Please
Well done! Love the Who so much. One of my favourite bands ever. Keep on rockin forever! Hope to see you again in South America Chile!
Pete, thank you. Again you show me why you are a hero.
This is fantastic news. Zak Starkey is the best (Zak Starkey type) drummer in the world and would have been much missed. Long Live the ‘Orrible Oo.
Whew!
Glad you guys have kissed and made up
Yes! Long Live The WHO!
Long Live Rock!
This made my morning! I’m very happy!
Great news, any long time fan at the two shows will have been surprised by this whole issue I think?
The shows I feel were complementary to each other and were very enjoyable.
I hope to be able to see the Who a few more times before I die (I’ve already grown quite old!).please air more unplaced or rarely visited songs, “song is over” was great!
Thank you very much for that statement ! That sounds great! Me and my family are looking forward to Padova šøš¤š„
Pete is much more of a diplomat than he gets credited for.Glad to have zak back in the fold!
Fantastic news. Pete should have rested more he looked very uncomfortable.
Glad you guys got it straightened out. Zak is almost the fifth member of the band and we’d hate to see him go.
thank you for clarifying Pete!! Been a fan a long time and seen the who 14 times. is it possible for a north american tour this fall?
Brilliant ! ā¦ hope your knee heals well Pete. I had surgery on my knee last week too, itās a tricky joint!
Very happy to hear that as Zac is the man . canāt wait to see you in Philly.
All’s well that ends well! I would hope everyone could relax and enjoy the “Golden Years”. The WHO has far surpassed expectations since what? 1967? Best Wishes and Drummers are loud… Everybody knows that! You guys are responsible for blowing out my left ear. Knees are fine tho.
Good on ya mates…
Very happy to hear this!
Glad to see this.
I have to say, I’ve been to a zillion concerts over the years, including the Who with Kenny Jones (but, unfortunately, not with Keith), and I can say that Zak is the best drummer I’ve ever seen live. No contest. Nobody else even close.
So don’t let’em go!
Well done, Pete, Roger and Zak. It would not seem correct to not have Keith’s prodigy in the band. He’s the one that plays The Who’s Music the way it supposed to be played. For all you young bandsters out there this is Damage Control Via Mature Thinking.
The Who rule. That’s all I can say. Thanks so much for everything. Don Singer, New York.
Thank God!
Zak is absolutely the best possible drummer for The WHO!
I read a few reports after hearing the news and it was rather confusing. Thanks a lot for clarifying this, and thanks for keeping the ship sailing on!!
Now please make a studio album with Zak and turn your guitar up in the mix.
Marvellous news!
Welcome Zak to the list of temporary departures from The āorribleāoo
I saw the Who 15 times over the years. The first time me and my friends took a train to the Garden from the Bronx, ( hopped the turnstile) we bribed the guy taking the tickets with 5 dollars a piece and got in. The 13th time I saw them , I was a cop working 9/11 and got to see the show they put on for us and the Firefighters. It was such hars going those days working 16 hours a day digging, and taking pictures of the autopsies of the victims with crime scene. I will always be eternal grateful for it. The very last time I got to take my 13 year old twins to see The Who for the first time. Full circle. I thank the band for all the joy they gave this Potato eater from the Bronx over the years. Every incarnation has been great. Long live the WHO!!!
Life isn’t perfect, and things happen. That said, and this coming from a fan since the days of “The Detours”, I VERY happy to hear that things got sorted between everyone. Rock on,lads!!
I’ve seen The Who about 300 times, dating back to 1971. (I have a poster from that show signed by John) Usually 10-15 shows per tour. Zak has been consistently amazing, and I’m happy this was worked out.
Good on you pete! Carry on and take care of that knee.
A mistake has been rectified. As a huge Who fan, I was never so happy when Zak joined The Who onstage. Although he’s not his Uncle Keith, he did give the band the closest to Who drumming and I have enjoyed many shows with Zak. It is so fun to watch him play and became my favorite part of the shows. Thanks Pete and Roger for not letting him go. Thank you Zak for the years of your drumming.
That’s awesome Pete! Glad it all worked out!
Good move Mr. T. āHope I die before I get oldā, Starkey plays with this reckless abandon, may you ALL keep that fire.
Bloody hell!
Pete bein Peteā¦
Iāve been a true fan of The Who and Peteās solo work for many decades and have seen the group live on a number of occasions, including a few years ago with Zak behind the kit. I thought he was, by far, the best fit since Keith passed on. Iām so glad to hear that communication between the parties has been restored and that it meant enough to Pete and Roger to work it out with Zac and communicate this all to the fan base. Iām frankly impressed.
Thanks . Common sense prevails.
Glad you got it settledā¦..still a balancing act being in a band
top man, zakā¦saw you at the Hove cricket ground and thought you were awesome but Zakās drumming especially significant in powering up the old magic busā¦but its healthy for bands to air this stuffā¦best of luck with the Knee, Pete. Take up cycling – an essential mod activity. great logos tooā¦just start gradually on a turbo.
I love the who have since I was a boy,But for me Zak should always have the drum seat.Thanks Pete for sorting things out.Will be seeing Roger later in the year at Margate the Who I hope to again before I become too old.As I said before thanks Pet for sorting things and for writing some fantastic songs
I love the who have since I was a boy,But for me Zak should always have the drum seat.Thanks Pete for sorting things out.Will be seeing Roger later in the year at Margate the Who I hope to again before I become too old.As I said before thanks Pete for sorting things and for writing some fantastic songs
We were there for Sunday’s show,been many times.Would have preferred normal larger drum kit with normal cymbals not elec,as sounds more natural,as for sound issues these things happen in live shows especially on your first few shows.Positve vibes to allxx
So glad to hear thst this was a fuck up of communication. I was at the first show and thought that Zak did a great job although the drums were mixed too low. Looking forward to seeing Roger (twice) on his solo tour. Southend this week and Audley End in August. Onwards snd forwards.
Iām impressed The Who can still perform as a band doing gigs as well as with orchestra. What a wonderful accomplishment for The Who on its 60th anniversary. Iām sorry to hear that Pete injured his knee. I wish him a speedy recovery.
At 16 I heard Quadriphenia and have been a fan ever since. Guys, work it out in private. You’re egos are showing. There much more important things happen in the world than self absorbed rock stars who air it out in public. So sad to see the recent iteration of the Who become basically the best Who cover band in the world. I Love you guys and always will. Just one fan’s opinion. Peace always.
Great News, because Zak is the only one who could replace Keith approximately
Glad fences were mended. Now please come back to DC. Or even better Hampton Virginia, where you changed my life Thanksgiving 1975. Love, Al
Thx Pete for clearing this up. Be well and enjoy your ride where ever it takes you. Cheers, Doc Pete in Phx, AZ
Bands and aging are two of the most challenging things to balance. We are very happy all is currently well!!
Long live The Who!!!!!!!