‘Would never’: The Who drummer Zak Starkey hits out after being sacked for second time in a month

Zak Starkey, the nearly 30-year drummer for legendary rock back The Who, has hit back at the band after he was sacked once again.

The Who drummer Zak Starkey has hit out at the band after being sacked for the second time in just four weeks.

Starkey, 59 – son of Beatles legend Ringo Starr – denied it was his decision to leave the band ahead of their farewell tour across North America later this year.

His axe was confirmed by Pete Townshend, who posted a photo online with the caption: “After many years of great work on drums from Starkey, the time has come for a change. A poignant time. Zak has lots of new projects in hand and I wish him the best.”

He also revealed Scott Devours, who plays with Roger Daltrey’s solo band, will take over behind the kit, adding: “Please welcome him.”

But Starkey quickly shut down any suggestion he walked away from the My Generation hitmakers – reposting Townshend’s image with his own furious message scrawled across it.

“This would be a lie. I love The Who and would never have quit,” he wrote.

He thanked fans who backed him through the “weeks of mayhem” after being previously axed, then briefly reinstated before getting the boot again this week.

“Quitting The Who would let down the countless amazing people who stood up for me (thank you all a million times over and more),” he said.

Starkey and Daltrey at the Hollywood Bowl. Photo: Facebook

The band have been together since 1996. Photo: Instagram

Hitting out at Townshend’s claim he had other things going on, Zak said: “To clarify ‘other projects’ … yes I do have other projects and always have – Johnny Marr, The Lightning Seeds and more.

“None of this has ever interfered with The Who and was never a problem for them.

“The lie is or would have been that I quit The Who – I didn’t. I love The Who and everyone in it.”

Zak has played with the band since the mid-90s and was widely seen as their unofficial third member.

He was fired from The Who in April following a clash over their Royal Albert Hall gig in March.

The Sun exclusively revealed Daltrey, 81, complained live on stage he couldn’t hear the key of their final track, The Song Is Over, over the sound of Starkey’s drumming.

He told the crowd: “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.”

Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend.

Tensions erupted and Starkey publicly branded Roger “Toger Daktrey” and said the singer was “bringing formal charges of over playing” against him.

He was fired but three days later reinstated, with Townshend releasing a statement.

He said: “There have been some communication issues, personal and private on all sides, that needed to be dealt with, and these have been aired happily.”

Zak previously hinted at bad blood between the My Generation hitmakers.

Speaking of the tour this summer, he admitted he didn’t know if he was involved.

In an exclusive chat with The Sun, Zak said: “I don’t know what’s happening this summer yet, it’s always up in the air with everybody right now.

“I couldn’t really tell you.”

Musician Ringo Starr, drummer with band The Beatles, with his first wife Maureen Starkey and their son Zak in 1965 photo.

Starkey has been sacked once again.

On Friday, another drummer spoke out about being axed from a world famous band.

Foo Fighters sensationally sacked Josh Freese just two years after he stepped in to replace the late Taylor Hawkins.

Freese said he was devastated to be let go in an emotional statement.

He wrote: “The Foo Fighters called me Monday night to let me know they’ve decided ‘to go in a different direction with their drummer.’ No reason was given.

“Regardless, I enjoyed the past two years with them, both on and off stage, and I support whatever they feel is best for the band.

“In my 40 years of drumming professionally, I’ve never been let go from a band, so while I’m not angry – just a bit shocked and disappointed.

“But as most of you know, I’ve always worked freelance and bounced between bands, so, I’m fine.

“Stay tuned for my ‘Top 10 possible reasons Josh got booted from the Foo Fighters’ list.”

This story first appeared in The Sun and was republished with permission.

Originally published as ‘Would never’: The Who drummer Zak Starkey hits out after being sacked for second time in a month