Entertainment
Drummer Zak Starkey announces return to The Who after lineup disputes
Singer Roger Daltrey and Starkey confirmed a successful rehearsal following a turbulent series of firings and hirings last year.
The short version
- Drummer Zak Starkey has confirmed he is returning to play with the legendary rock band The Who.
- The announcement follows a turbulent 2025 where Starkey was repeatedly fired and rehired after nearly three decades with the group.
- Singer Roger Daltrey publicly shared news of the reunion during a solo performance, noting that a recent rehearsal sounded excellent.
Key facts
- During a solo performance in Las Vegas on August 26, 2026, Roger Daltrey told the audience that The Who is preparing to reunite with Zak Starkey after a successful rehearsal.[Billboard]
- Starkey confirmed his return via Instagram on August 28, 2026, and in a statement to Variety, expressing enthusiasm about playing with the band again.[Billboard]
- Starkey first began playing with The Who in 1996, but a representative announced in April 2025 that he had been asked to step down.[Billboard]
- Reports from 2025 suggested Daltrey initiated Starkey's ousting because he struggled to hear his own vocals over Starkey's loud drumming style.[Billboard]
- After being briefly rehired and let go again last year, Starkey was temporarily replaced by drummer Scott Devours for the band's North American farewell tour.[Billboard]
What remains uncertain
- As of late August 2026, a spokesperson for The Who has not officially commented on Starkey's re-hiring, and no future tour dates have been scheduled.[Billboard]