Earlier this week, the Who fired drummer Zak Starkey for "overplaying" at shows. Today, Pete Townshend announced that Starkey is back in the band after "some communication issues" were resolved.
"He’s not being asked to step down from The Who," Townshend wrote on a statement on the group's website. He continued:
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 didn’t 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 apologized. Albeit with a rubber duck drummer.
We are a family, this blew up very quickly and got too much oxygen. It’s 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 rumored might replace Zak in The Who and has always been supportive of the band.
I owe Scott an apology for not crushing that rumor before it spread. He has been hurt by this. I promise to buy him a very long drink and give him a hug.
Starkey — whose dad is Ringo Starr — joined the band in 1996. He responded to being fired with a statement to Rolling Stone: “I’m very proud of my near thirty years with The Who,” Starkey said. “Filling the shoes of my Godfather, ‘uncle Keith’ has been the biggest honor and I remain their biggest fan. They’ve been like family to me. In January, I suffered a serious medical emergency with blood clots in my right bass drum calf. This is now completely healed and does not affect my drumming or running.
“After playing those songs with the band for so many decades, I’m surprised and saddened anyone would have an issue with my performance that night, but what can you do?" he continued. "I plan to take some much needed time off with my family, and focus on the release of Domino Bones by Mantra Of The Cosmos with Noel Gallagher in May and finishing my autobiography written solely by me. Twenty-nine years at any job is a good old run, and I wish them the best.”
After today’s announcement Starkey reshared the Who’s statement on his Instagram, adding “V grateful to be part of the who family Thanks Roger and Pete xx.”
