Zak Starkey, former Who drummer, shares career highlights at impromptu solo NYC performance
Drummer Zak Starkey recently held a unique one-man show at New York’s Gramercy Theatre that gave fans an inside look into his illustrious career spanning nearly thirty years. The performance was an off-the-cuff journey through his experiences as The Who’s drummer, as well as his collaborations with artists like his father Ringo Starr, Oasis, Johnny Marr, and more.
The show kicked off with a film showcasing scenes from Starkey’s childhood intertwined with footage from his extensive music career. Following the screening, Starkey took to the stage, seated behind a drum kit, and played along with the concluding part of the film. He then engaged with the audience, encouraging them to ask questions and guide the direction of the show.
Despite having Ringo Starr as a father and Keith Moon as a family friend, Starkey revealed that ex-Who drummer Kenney Jones was his actual drum teacher. Moon’s lessons, he humorously noted, focused on topics like girls, surfing, The Beach Boys, beer, and mod culture.
When asked about his departure from The Who in 2025, Starkey expressed that the band’s dynamic was “nuts,” “insane,” and fraught with an “addiction to friction.” Later on, in a sit-down discussion with Marky Ramone of The Ramones, Starkey shared that Abbey Road holds a special place in his heart as his favorite Beatles album, particularly appreciating the track “I Want You (She’s So Heavy).”
The remainder of the evening featured Starkey performing live on the drums while video footage from past shows played in the background. Particularly noteworthy was a segment where he played along with John Entwistle’s isolated bass line from The Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again” as part of The Kids Are Alright version.
The show concluded with a special guest appearance by The Rolling Stones’ Steve Jordan, who played bass while Starkey drummed to The Who’s “Join Together.” Despite expressing a desire to play Oasis or Beatles songs, Starkey humorously lamented that the venue required him to wrap up the show, teasing fans with the prospect of another event in the future.
In summary, Zak Starkey’s one-man show offered a candid and entertaining glimpse into his legendary music career, providing fans with an intimate and memorable experience.