After what Consequence describes as a “messy exit” from The Who, drummer Zak Starkey has returned to play with the band. Previously, in April of last year, Starkey was let go from The Who after being their drummer for about 30 years, but that break didn’t last too long, because he’s now back to conclude the Farewell Tour.
Back in April of 2025, Starkey was actually rehired after initially being let go, but that just led to him being canned once again. So perhaps, the rehiring will highlight a pattern, but for now, Starkey is set to return once again. The rehiring also comes after Starkey and singer Roger Daltrey went back in forth on social media, arguing after Starkey’s second firing, which came after the band’s set at Royal Albert Hall didn’t go as planned. However, despite the back and forth with Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend said he was confused about why Starkey was fired. The Who continued their farewell North American tour with Scott Devours playing the drums, instead of the usual Starkey.
Recently, The Who’s and Starkey’s representatives told Variety that Starkey is set to return. That statement came after a show in Las Vegas, Daltrey told the audience that Starkey had been rehearsing with the band again and it “sounded great”.
Starkey responded to Daltrey via an Instagram post. He writes, “Nice one Rog x. Lookin forward to tearin it up with The Who again…The rehearsal was great… I don’t think we’ve ever rehearsed as tough as that … usually we drink tea and talk about what time we’re going home! We rehearsed for an afternoon and were absolutely on fire. I’m so happy to be back playing the music I love with people I love. It’s good to be home.”
The Who currently doesn’t have these tour dates scheduled, but they plan to take the farewell tour global, after completing their North American leg in October 2025. And, Daltrey finished his solo tour last night.
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