Drummer Zak Starkey Is Back in The Who After Messy Firing

Last year, drummer Zak Starkey was sacked from The Who in a messy exit after nearly 30 years in the band. Now, he’s back, as the legendary rock act gets set to play its final shows ever.

In April 2025, Starkey was fired from The Who, then rehired days later , and then fired again roughly a month later, with some ugly back and forth words between the drummer and Who singer Roger Daltrey. The entire episode started after a minor musical mishap during the band’s charity gig at the Royal Albert Hall, and even guitarist Pete Townshend admitted that he was confused by Starkey’s firing .

The Who went on to play their farewell North American tour with drummer Scott Devours behind the kit.

Now, it appears Daltrey and Starkey have made up. During a recent solo show in Las Vegas, Daltrey told the audience that The Who have been rehearsing with Starkey again, and “it sounded great.”

Starkey responded on Instagram, “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!”

Starkey further divulged, “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.”

Representatives for The Who and Starkey confirmed with Variety that the drummer is indeed back in the band.

While The Who completed their North American farewell tour in October 2025, the band has yet to say goodbye to other parts of the world. Earlier this summer, Daltrey told the Arizona Republic , “It’s not over by any means. It’s just that was the last tour of America for The Who.”

As of now, The Who have no tour dates scheduled, but Daltrey is in the midst of a US tour that runs through a September 29th show in Medford, Massachusetts. Pick up tickets here .