The Who has fired drummerZak Starkeyfor the second time in a month. Pete Townshendmade the announcement in a post onInstagram, with text explaining the news displayed over a photo of himself wearing a red beanie. He also announced thatScott Devours, from singerRoger Daltrey's solo band, would replace Starkey. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 "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 solo band will join The Who for our Final shows. Please welcome him." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Yolanda Tarbox (@yaggerdang) Starkey, the son ofRingo Starrand has served as the drummer of the Who since 1996, shared his own version of what went down in anInstagrampost in which he wrote his words over Townshend's post. "I was fired two weeks after reinstatement and asked to make a statement saying I had quit the who to pursue my other musical endevours this would be a lie," Starkey wrote. "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 x," he added, referencing the band's 1975 hit "Squeeze Box." View this post on Instagram A post shared by therealzakstarkey (@therealzakstarkey) Starkey's dismissal seems to be related to the Who'sMarch 30 performancewhen the band played "The Song Is Over" for the first time live, even though it was released on 1971's acclaimedWho's Nextalbum. Related: The Who's Roger Daltrey Shares Health Update: 'The Joys of Getting Old' "We dedicate this to all the fans that heard the 2016 setlist 100 times," Townshend told the audience in a video that can be seen viaYouTube. "Well, not 100 times, but a lot. So, we're going to have a go at this one. I think Roger is having trouble hearing though." Due to his deteriorating hearing, Daltrey had problems performing the 54-year-old song during the first attempt. "To sing that song, I do need to hear the key," he said. "And I can't hear. There's no pitch here. I just hear drums, 'boom boom boom.' I can't sing to that. I'm sorry guys. We'll try one more even though it's getting late." Daltrey was able to pull it off on his second attempt, but Starkey was fired for the first on April 16, though the band changed its mind three days later. Now, however, Starkey seems to be on the outs for good.
