Culture 4 min read By Mason Emerson
Zak Starkey and the Who Reunite at Rehearsal After Reported Rift
Drummer Zak Starkey has reunited with the Who's Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend at a rehearsal, signaling an end to the rift that led to his reported exit in April 2025.
Drummer Zak Starkey has reunited with the Who, appearing at a rehearsal with Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend just months after reports surfaced that he had been dismissed from the band. The reunion, revealed this week, suggests the much-discussed rift between Starkey and his longtime bandmates may have been resolved quietly behind closed doors.
Starkey, the son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, had been a fixture in the Who's live lineup for decades, first joining in the mid-1990s and becoming a regular presence on tour and in the studio. His reported exit in April 2025 came as a surprise to fans, with sources at the time describing an unceremonious parting that left little room for reconciliation. The news of his return, however, indicates that whatever friction existed has since been smoothed over.
The rehearsal reunion was confirmed without official comment from the band, but the presence of Starkey alongside Daltrey and Townshend marks a significant development for a group that has continued to perform and record well into its sixth decade. For Starkey, the return restores a professional relationship that has been central to his career, having also played with Oasis and the Who's offshoot projects over the years.
The Who have maintained an active schedule in recent years, balancing nostalgia-driven tours with new material, and Starkey's drumming has been a key part of that sound. His style, rooted in the powerful rock tradition of his father's generation yet distinctly his own, helped anchor the band's live performances through multiple arena and stadium runs. The brief absence from the lineup raised questions about the band's future direction, but the reunion suggests continuity remains the priority.
Neither Daltrey nor Townshend has publicly addressed the earlier split, and the band has offered no details about what prompted the reconciliation. The rehearsal itself, described as a working session rather than a formal announcement, points to practical collaboration ahead of potential upcoming performances or recording projects. For fans who had speculated about the state of the band's internal dynamics, the image of Starkey back behind the kit is a reassuring sign.
The relationship between Starkey and the Who has always carried a personal dimension, given his family's deep roots in rock history and his own long tenure with the group. His return also settles, at least for now, the question of who will handle drumming duties should the band take the stage again. While no tour dates or studio plans have been confirmed, the rehearsal itself is a strong indicator that the Who intend to keep moving forward with the lineup that has served them well for nearly three decades.
For now, the reunion stands as a quiet but meaningful chapter in the band's ongoing story, one that prioritizes the music over any lingering grievances. The Who have weathered lineup changes and internal tensions throughout their history, and this latest reconciliation fits that pattern of endurance. Starkey's return, whether for a single session or a longer commitment, reestablishes a partnership that has proven durable through the band's many phases.
