The Who have parted ways with drummer Zak Starkey for the second time.

“After many years of great work on drums from Zak, the time has come for a change,” guitarist and main songwriter Pete Townshend said on social media. “A poignant time. Zak has lots of new projects in hand and I wish him the best. Scott Devours, who has worked with [frontman] Roger’s [Daltrey] solo band, will join The Who for our final shows. Please welcome him.”

In a separate statement, Townshend and Roger Daltrey said, “The Who are heading for retirement, whereas Zak is 20 years younger and has a great future with his new band and other exciting projects. He needs to devote all his energy into making it all a success. We both wish him all the luck in the world.”

However, Starkey shared the news in a different tone, saying that he was fired for the second time within a month.

“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 this would be a lie,” he said on Instagram. “I love The Who and would never had quit. So I didn’t make the statement ….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.'”

Starkey, who is the son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, was first fired from The Who last month after some tension arose on stage during the band’s concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London in March.

Source: RTT Music News