The Who boot Ringo Starr's son from touring drumming gig

The statement the band's spokesperson released was the usual boilerplate, saying: 

The band made a collective decision to part ways with Zak after this round of shows at the Royal Albert Hall. They have nothing but admiration for him and wish him the very best for his future.

However, word is it wasn't as chill as all that. Starkey has genetic bona fides as a drummer, as his father is Richard Starkey, known to most as Beatles drummer Ringo Starr. Starkey had actually served as the drummer for The Who since 1996, back when original bass player John Entwistle was still alive. Recently, though, both fans of the band and evidently Daltrey and Townsend themselves weren't too keen on Starkey's drumming. The above video is from one of the shows in question that reportedly led to the parting of ways.

The end of Starkey's tenure with The Who seems to have been of the "writing on the wall" variety, as Starkey's Instagram had been dotted with circumspect posts, and then there was this post with a all-over-the-place caption.

Those seeing The Who these days are assuredly largely there to see, you know, the guys from The Who. However, there was some cache in having Ringo's son as the drummer as well. Now, though, rock royalty and the scion of rock royalty shall no longer being working together. Turns out, when it comes to questionable drumming, The Who...won't be fooled again.

(h/t Consequence of Sound)