Pete Townshend says drummer Zak Starkey, son of Ringo Starr, is not fired from the Who

By Jami Ganz, New York Daily News(TNS)

Pete Townshend is denying recent reports that the Who’s longtime drummer Zak Starkey was fired from the English rock band after 28 years.

The 79-year-old guitarist confirmed on Saturday there’d been recent drama amongst the rockers but clarified that Starkey — the 59-year-old son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr — is “not being asked to step down from The Who.”

“Who back Zak!” Townshend wrote on Instagram. “There have been some communication issues, personal and private on all sides, that needed to be dealt with, and these have been aired happily.”

In a lengthier statement on the band’s website, Townshend again said Starkey had not been asked to leave, but explained that he and frontman Roger Daltrey “would like Zak to tighten up his latest evolved drumming style to accommodate our non-orchestral lineup and he has readily agreed.”

British outlets reported earlier this week that the band wanted to boot Starkey due to his “overplaying” during a charity event last month, over which Daltrey, 81, struggled to sing.

Starkey responded to the reports by saying he was “surprised and saddened” his drumming style would cause such conflict after nearly three decades playing with the band.

“I take responsibility for some of the confusion,” Townshend said in the statement, noting the charity performances “were a little tricky” for him following a recent knee replacement.

“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. … Zak made a few mistakes and he has apologized. Albeit with a rubber duck drummer,” Townshend quipped.

He went on to say the reports were blown out of proportion and confirmed the issues have since been squashed.

“We are a family,” Townshend concluded. “It’s over. We move forward now with optimism and fire in our bellies.”

Founded in London in 1964, the Who became known as one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century before announcing their split in 1983. They reunited in 1996 with Starkey at the drums, following his work with Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band.

Keith Moon, the Who’s original percussionist, died from an accidental overdose in 1978. He was replaced by Kenney Jones until the band’s breakup.