Zak Starkey feels “surprised and saddened” following his sudden exit from The Who.
The drummer parted ways with Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend after almost 30 years following two Teenage Cancer Trust concerts at London’s Royal Albert Hall last month – and he’s now admitted he was blindsided by the decision but he’s now planning to take a “much needed” break so he can enjoy some time with his family.
In a statement published by Rolling Stone, Zak said: “I’m very proud of my near thirty years with The Who. Filling the shoes of my Godfather, ‘uncle Keith’ [The who drummer Keith Moon] has been the biggest honour 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 [at the Royal Albert Hall], but what can you do?”
He went on to add: “I plan to take some much needed time off with my family, and focus on the release of [single] ‘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.”
The Who previously released their own statement which read: “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.”
According to Metro, during The Who’s London show on 30 March, Roger stopped the performance multiple times and complained he was unable to hear over the sound of Zak’s drumming.
Stopping the concert during the final track, ‘The Song Is Over’, the 81-year-old rocker told the audience: “To sing that song I do need to hear the key, and I can’t. All I’ve got is drums going boom, boom, boom. I can’t sing to that. I’m sorry guys.”