Zak Starkey: The Drummer Who Forged His Own Path Outside His Father's Shadow

Music · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Born to a Beatle, Zak Starkey became a powerhouse drummer in his own right. From learning on a kit gifted by Keith Moon to anchoring The Who for nearly three decades, his career spans Oasis, reggae production, and a complex, public saga of being fired and rehired by rock royalty.

Zak Starkey, son of Ringo Starr and Maureen Starkey, grew up in a musical orbit that paradoxically discouraged his own percussion career. Despite his father’s desire for him to become a lawyer or doctor, Starkey was mentored by Keith Moon, the legendary drummer for The Who, who gifted him his first drum kit at age eight. By twelve, Starkey was performing in pubs with the band the Next, and he later received further guidance from Kenney Jones, who replaced Moon in The Who. Starkey’s early professional years saw him working with diverse acts, including the Spencer Davis Group, the Semantics, and John Entwistle, before he eventually joined The Who for their 1996 Quadrophenia tour.

Starkey’s tenure with The Who was marked by critical acclaim for his distinct style, which avoided mere imitation of Moon. He became a fixture for the band, performing at major events like the 2001 Concert for New York City and the 2010 Super Bowl halftime show. However, his relationship with the band’s core members, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey, proved volatile. In 2025, a sound-mix disagreement at the Royal Albert Hall led to a public fallout where Starkey was dismissed, briefly reinstated, and then ultimately parted ways with the group. Starkey later described the experience as being 'retired rather than fired,' maintaining his status as a fan of the band.

Beyond The Who, Starkey has maintained a prolific career as a sideman and collaborator. He toured with Oasis, contributed to Johnny Marr & the Healers, and founded the reggae-focused label Trojan Jamaica in 2016. His work with Toots and the Maytals on the album Got to Be Tough earned a Grammy for Best Reggae Album in 2020. Today, Starkey continues to explore new formats, including multimedia productions that blend live drumming with autobiographical storytelling, proving that his musical identity extends far beyond his famous lineage.

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