Zak Starkey has rejoined The Who as drummer after a tumultuous year of departures and rehiring. The band, led by Roger Daltrey, 80, and guitarist Pete Townshend, 81, began rehearsals with Starkey, who held the position for nearly 30 years before being asked to step down in April 2025.
Daltrey announced the reunion at his solo show at the Encore Theater in Las Vegas on August 26, 2026, stating the band was “gearing up to come back together” with Starkey. Starkey confirmed the news on Instagram on August 28, writing: “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.”
In a statement to Variety, Starkey said: “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.”
Starkey’s initial departure in April 2025 followed reports that Daltrey had difficulty hearing his vocals over Starkey’s drumming during performances at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Starkey was rehired days later, then fired again after a month. Drummer Scott Devours replaced him for The Who’s farewell North American tour, which concluded in October 2025.
Daltrey told the Arizona Republic that the band’s future remains open. “It’s not over by any means,” he said. “It’s just that was the last tour of America for the Who.” The band has not announced new tour dates as of press time.
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Source: Billboard
