Zak Starkey was dismissal from The Who - a second time - due to his denial of quitting the band.
Drummers Out: The spectacular dismissals of Zak Starkey and Josh Freese
It's been a tumultuous weekend for some of the biggest names in rock as high-profile drummers receive the axe. Zak Starkey, The Who's son of Ringo Starr, and Josh Freese, a Foo Fighter recruited in 2023, are both facing unexpected changes.
Starkey, despite being recently reinstated, finds himself out in the cold once more. Issuing a fiery rebuttal, Starkey calls out the band's claim of his departure being due to his 'new projects,' arguing that he was fired under false pretenses.
"I didn't quit The Who, and I'd never let them—and the millions who've stood by me—down like that," Starkey asserted. He likened the experience to a squeezebox, bound by an endless cycle of in and out.
On the other hand, Freese remains more measured in his response, expressing shock and disappointment but approaching the situation with resilience. The drummer joined the band following Taylor Hawkins' untimely death and was let go with no explanation given.
The drumming world watches on as both stars take their explosive departures on the high road. As for who will now fill the rhythmic void left by these powerhouse drummers, only time will tell.
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After all that drama, it's easy to forget that Zak Starkey initially left The Who following a sound problem during a performance at the Royal Albert Hall. Upon their reunification, "communication issues" led to his dismissal.[1][3]
Meanwhile, The Who tapped Scott Devours to replace Starkey for their remaining farewell shows.[1]
As for Josh Freese, his dismissal from Foo Fighters comes just a year after he joined the band following Taylor Hawkins' death in 2022. The Foo Fighters are yet to announce a replacement.[1]
Despite the drama surrounding his departure and subsequent reinstatement, Zak Starkey's dismissal from The Who once more has left a void in the world of entertainment, particularly in the music sphere. The Foo Fighters, following the unexpected dismissal of Josh Freese last year, are yet to announce a replacement in the music industry.
