A dramatic and seemingly final chapter has unfolded regarding longtime touring drummer Zak Starkey‘s status with The Who, culminating in conflicting statements from guitarist Pete Townshend and Starkey himself. Townshend announced Starkey‘s departure and named Scott Devours as the drummer for their upcoming “The Song Is Over” farewell tour, but Starkey immediately countered, stating he was fired and asked to claim he quit.
The latest developments began on May 17, 2025, when Pete Townshend posted a message on Instagram addressing the drummer situation. “After many years of great work on drums from Zak, the time has come for a change. A poignant time,” Townshend wrote. “Zak has lots of new projects in hand and I wish him the best. Scott Devours, who has worked with Roger’s [Daltrey] solo band, will join The Who for our final shows. Please welcome him.”
However, Zak Starkey, who has played with The Who since 1996, quickly responded with his own version of events, painting a very different picture. “I was fired two weeks after reinstatement and asked to make a statement saying I had quit The Who to pursue my other musical endeavors,” Starkey wrote in his own social media post. “This would be a lie. I love The Who and would never had quit.”
He added, “Quitting The Who would also have let down the countless amazing people who stood up for me (thank you all a million times over and more) thru the weeks of mayhem of me going ‘in an out an in an out an in an out like a bleedin squeezebox.’”
This “mayhem” refers to a confusing period in April 2025. On April 16, it was initially announced that Starkey was no longer part of The Who‘s lineup. Just three days later, the band appeared to retract this, attributing the situation to “communication issues” and stating that Starkey would continue with them. That reconciliation now appears to have been short-lived.
With Zak Starkey‘s departure now seemingly confirmed, albeit contentiously, Scott Devours, known for his work with Roger Daltrey‘s solo projects, will take over drumming duties for The Who‘s North American farewell tour. The trek, titled “The Song Is Over,” is billed as a powerful conclusion to their remarkable six-decade career and is scheduled for August and September 2025.
The Who – “The Song Is Over” 2025 North American Tour Dates:
- Aug. 16 – Sunrise, FL – Amerant Bank Arena
- Aug. 19 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
- Aug. 21 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
- Aug. 23 – Atlantic City, NJ – Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
- Aug. 26 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park
- Aug. 28 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
- Aug. 30 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
- Sep. 02 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
- Sep. 04 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
- Sep. 07 – Chicago, IL – United Center
- Sep. 17 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
- Sep. 19 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
- Sep. 21 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
- Sep. 23 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
- Sep. 25 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
- Sep. 28 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena
