In a recent statement on The Who’s official social media, guitarist Pete Townshend addressed the recent drama surrounding drummer Zak Starkey, stating that communication issues had been resolved and there was no plan for Starkey to step down from the band. Townshend acknowledged the situation had escalated quickly and “got too much oxygen,” attributing some of the confusion to his own role in the matter.
The statement, titled “News Flash! Who Backs Zak,” explained that personal and private communication issues between band members had been dealt with, and Starkey had agreed to adjust his drumming style to better fit the band’s non-orchestral setup. Townshend also noted that some of the challenges at the band’s Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) shows in March were due to his recovery from knee surgery, as well as sound check issues.
Townshend took full responsibility for some of the confusion, emphasizing that the band was moving forward with optimism. He also addressed mistakes made during performances, apologizing to Starkey for any issues caused during the shows and expressing his commitment to the band’s future.
The guitarist concluded by stating that the matter was now resolved, and the band was looking forward to their next steps with renewed energy. He also apologized to drummer Scott Devours, who had been rumored to replace Starkey, for not addressing those rumors sooner.
Source: Swifteradio.com
