Recommended Free Tools
Zak Starkey was dismissed from The Who in April 2025, reinstated three days later, then parted ways with the band again about a month afterward. The reasons remain disputed: Pete Townshend described issues with communication and Starkey’s drumming style, Roger Daltrey later said the initial onstage exchange was about a sound problem, and Starkey gave his own account of the private conversation that preceded his second departure. In September 2026, Daltrey said Starkey had played at a rehearsal connected to possible future shows—but did not confirm that he had rejoined.
What happened to Zak Starkey in 2025?
The Who’s public account changed rapidly. On April 16, the band announced a collective decision to part ways with Starkey after its Royal Albert Hall performances for Teenage Cancer Trust. Three days later, guitarist Pete Townshend said Starkey was not being asked to leave. About a month after that, Townshend and singer Roger Daltrey announced a further departure and named Scott Devours as the replacement drummer.
- April 16: The Who announced that it had made a collective decision to part ways with Starkey after the Royal Albert Hall shows. Rolling Stone’s June 2025 interview recounts the announcement and Starkey’s account of what followed.
- April 19: Townshend said, “He’s not being asked to step down from The Who.” He also said Starkey had agreed to tighten up his evolved drumming style for the band’s non-orchestral lineup, and described the dispute as a family flare-up that had been resolved. Townshend’s official statement said, “We are a family, this blew up very quickly and got too much oxygen. It’s over. We move forward now with optimism and fire in our bellies.”
- May: Townshend and Daltrey said the band was heading for retirement and Starkey had new projects to focus on. Their joint statement said, “Zak has lots of new projects in hand and I wish him the best.” Scott Devours was named as the replacement. The Who’s May 18 statement did not describe the departure in the same terms Starkey later used.
That sequence is why the episode is often described as Starkey being fired twice: the band first announced a separation, then Townshend publicly reversed that impression, before a second departure followed.
Why did the dispute begin at the Royal Albert Hall?
The original disagreement surfaced during The Who’s March 2025 Teenage Cancer Trust performances at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The accounts point to overlapping issues involving the sound onstage, communication, and Starkey’s playing, but they do not establish one agreed explanation.
#1 Best Overall
- Drum Pad:GrowDaily drum practice pads are the perfect practice pad for any drummer, providing a realistic playing experience with a high resilience rubber and solid poplar base, and high-density shock absorbing cotton for a near snare drum feel.
- Practice Drum Pad:The drum pad is 12 inches in diameter and weighs 4.19 lbs. Equipped with 3 pairs/6 high quality maple sticks, they are the perfect practice drum pad for beginners and recommended by many professional drummers.
- Drum Pad Stand:Comes with a flexible and sturdy snare drum stand. Heavy-duty design with a sturdy double support tripod and adjustable basket fits snare drums 12" in diameter, easily adjusting to your preferred height (from 19.5 to 31.5").
- Practice Pad For Drumming:The GrowDaily Drum Pad Kit has everything you need for this snare drum practice pad including a quality practice pad and drum stand and premium dedicated bag. In addition to these, you'll receive all the accessories you need, including 3 pairs of drum sticks, and a drum stick bag (black)
- Customer Service:With our excellent customer support, you can buy our products with confidence. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied, please feel free to contact us!
Townshend’s April explanation
In his April 19 statement, Townshend called the shows difficult, noted that he was recovering from a recent knee replacement, and raised the possibility that the band had not had enough sound-check time. He also said Daltrey had been adjusting his in-ear monitors. Townshend framed the matter partly as a need for Starkey to adapt his evolved style to The Who’s non-orchestral lineup.
Daltrey’s later account of the onstage exchange
In August 2025, Daltrey offered a different explanation for the gestures Starkey interpreted as criticism. As reported by TheWrap, Daltrey said the drums had too much sub-bass, making it difficult for him to pitch, and that he was signaling the sound operator rather than scolding Starkey. That is Daltrey’s retrospective account, not an explanation jointly confirmed by the band.
Rank #2
- Drum Pad: GrowDaily drum practice pads are the perfect practice pad for any drummer, providing a realistic playing experience with a high resilience rubber and solid poplar base and high-density shock-absorbing cotton for a near snare drum feel
- Drum Pad And Sticks: The drum pad is 12 inches in diameter and weighs 3.52 lbs; Equipped with 2 pairs/4 high-quality maple sticks, they are the perfect practice drum pad for beginners and are recommended by many professional drummers
- Drum Practice Pad: GrowDaily practice drum pads come with special storage pockets that easily hold drum pads and sticks; Allows you to practice your skills easily at home or outdoors; It's easy to carry and lightweight; It's flexible enough to work on any surface, including carpet, tables, and standard snare drums; Super durable and suitable for children too
- Drum Pad Set: The dumb exercise mat is made of high-density compressed wood, flexible rubber, and an EVA polymer pad; It comes with a special EVA polymer pad, Anti-slip and soundproof, also has excellent shock absorption and cushioning performance so you can improve your technique without disturbing your family, roommates, or neighbors, without worrying about noise complaints; enjoy playing drums with a percussion pad
- With our excellent customer support, you can buy our products with confidence; If for any reason you are not completely satisfied, please feel free to contact us
What did Starkey say about being fired?
Starkey’s June 2025 interview with Rolling Stone describes a confusing sequence after the initial announcement and reinstatement. He said that, after a call telling him it would not work, he was asked to issue a statement saying he was moving on. He refused, saying that would not be true and that he loved The Who.
Starkey also said he had been fired two weeks after his reinstatement and had been asked to say that he quit. The Guardian’s contemporaneous report covered his response to the second departure. The band’s May statement, by contrast, spoke of Starkey’s new projects and wished him well. The public statements therefore differ over how to characterize the end of his tenure; Starkey’s description of the private conversation is his account, not an independently verified transcript.
Rank #3
- PRACTICE ANYTIME, ANYWHERE - GLEAM Drum Practice Pad provides the best practice substitute to acoustic drums, so you can practice rudiments, paradiddles or just drum along to that song on the radio – without disturbing anyone. Portable and quiet, it works on any surface including carpet, table, lap or inside a standard snare basket.
- SINGLE SIDED DRUM PAD - Features a slightly textured natural gum rubber for realistic stick rebound that provides the best practice substitute to an acoustic drum.
- DRUM PADS FOR ALL DRUMMERS - From the beginner practicing in the back of mom’s car on the way to lessons to the professional practicing on the tour bus, GLEAM practice pads suit every player’s practice needs, no matter how demanding. The natural gum rubber side is finished with a dark gray fabric that resists wear and tear.
- EVA MAT ON THE BOTTOM - Prevent from slipping, it also has excellent anti-skid and shock absorption and buffering performance to protect your wrists from hurt.
- HIGH DENSITY COMPRESSED WOOD BOARD - Provides a stable base for practice. Environmental protection and durable.
What does “These Guys Are Insane” refer to?
The phrase is a shortened version of Rolling Stone’s headline, which uses a stronger, explicit profanity. In the interview, Starkey says, “What the fuck? These guys are fuckin’ insane!” while describing a recent conversation with Daltrey. The clean wording in this article’s title is not a verbatim quotation of that sentence.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Has Zak Starkey returned to The Who?
Not on the evidence of the latest reported update. On September 4, 2026, Daltrey said Starkey had played at a recent rehearsal intended to see whether The Who might perform shows the following year. MusicRadar quoted Daltrey: “We did a rehearsal recently, and Zak was the drummer,” and, “He was drumming at the rehearsal, and we did the rehearsal to see if we can possibly do shows next year.” MusicRadar’s report did not say Starkey had passed an audition, that a return had been agreed, or that future shows were confirmed. A rehearsal is evidence that he played with the band in that setting, not confirmation that he has rejoined The Who.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Drum Pad:GrowDaily drum practice pads are the perfect practice pad for any drummer, providing a realistic playing experience with a high resilience rubber and solid poplar base, and high-density shock absorbing cotton for a near snare drum feel.
- Practice Drum Pad:The drum pad is 12 inches in diameter and weighs 4.19 lbs. Equipped with 3 pairs/6 high quality maple sticks, they are the perfect practice drum pad for beginners and recommended by many professional drummers.
- Drum Pad Stand:Comes with a flexible and sturdy snare drum stand. Heavy-duty design with a sturdy double support tripod and adjustable basket fits snare drums 12" in diameter, easily adjusting to your preferred height (from 19.5 to 31.5").
- Practice Pad For Drumming:The GrowDaily Drum Pad Kit has everything you need for this snare drum practice pad including a quality practice pad and drum stand and premium dedicated bag. In addition to these, you'll receive all the accessories you need, including 3 pairs of drum sticks, and a drum stick bag (black)
- Customer Service:With our excellent customer support, you can buy our products with confidence. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied, please feel free to contact us!
Rank #4
- PRACTICE ANYTIME, ANYWHERE - Evans RealFeel Attacktile Drum Practice Pad provides the best practice substitute to acoustic drums. Portable and quiet, it works on any surface including carpet, table, lap or inside a standard snare basket.
- TWO-SIDED DRUM PAD – The two-sided design of the practice drum pad gives you options for the type of practice you are doing. One side features a slightly textured natural gum rubber for realistic stick rebound. The other side features a harder, firmer recycled rubber with less rebound for a real practice workout.
- AVAILABLE IN 3 SIZES – A variety of RealFeel drum practice pads are available to suit individual practice requirements including a 6” practice pad, 7” apprentice practice pad and a 12” practice pad (not mountable).
- DRUM PADS FOR ALL DRUMMERS - From the beginner practicing in the back of mom’s car on the way to lessons to the professional practicing on the tour bus, RealFeel practice pads suit every player’s practice needs, no matter how demanding. The natural gum rubber side is finished with a dark gray fabric that resists wear and tear.
- MADE IN THE USA - For over 40 years, Evans has been a pioneer in drum head manufacturing and design. All RealFeel practice pads for drumming are proudly designed, engineered, and manufactured in the USA to the most stringent quality controls in the industry.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
