Zak Starkey “gutted” not to be asked to be part of Oasis reunion

27 May, 2025

Drummer Zak Starkey has said he was “gutted” not to be invited to be a part of the upcoming Oasis reunion.

The percussionist – the son of Ringo Starr and until recent weeks the longtime drummer for The Who – was also a touring member of Oasis from Alan White’s departure in 2004 up until his own exit in 2008. During that time, he played on ‘Don’t Believe The Truth’ (2005) and ‘Dig Out Your Soul’ (2008).

In March, NME revealed the details of who will make up the full line-up for the Oasis reunion shows this year, confirming that it will be Joey Waronker behind the drumkit. He played in the backing band for Liam Gallagher and John Squire’s tour last year and is known for his work with Beck, R.E.M. and Elliott Smith.

Now, Starkey has shared his disappointment at not being asked to be part of the Oasis Live ‘25 tour. During an appearance on BBC Breakfast, he said he was “gutted”, adding: “I texted them and said, ‘Why am I not in it?’.”

He explained that he understood why the band went with Waronker, however: “You know, if you get a new drummer, you get comfortable, don’t you? You get comfortable with new musicians and I think that’s what’s happened and I’m alright with that.”

Starkey also stressed that he has great respect for Oasis. “God, yeah, greatest rock and roll band of my generation,” he said. “Greatest rock and roll singer of my generation.”

Alongside Waronker, Noel and Liam will be joined by Andy Bell on bass, Gem Archer and Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs on guitar and Christian Madden on keys.

Starkey’s protracted departure from The Who has played out over the past two months, with the drummer appearing to publicly confirm in April that he had been let go, only for Pete Townshend to later deny it.

On May 18, Townshend finally confirmed that Starkey was no longer with the band, saying “the time has come for a change”. Scott Devours, who has played with Roger Daltrey’s solo band, will play on their farewell North American tour later this year.

Starkey has since said that Daltrey told him he was “retired” from the band and not “fired”.

“I had a great phone chat with Roger at the end of last week which truly confused both of us!!!” Starkey began. “Rog said I hadn’t been ‘fired’… I had been ‘retired’ to work n my own projects [sic].”

He went on to tell Daltrey that he had “just spent nearly eight weeks at my studio in Jamaica completing these projects, that my group Mantra of the Cosmos was releasing one single at the beginning of June and after that had run its course (usually 5/6 weeks).”

As for Oasis, their first show takes place at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on July 4, with 41 gigs currently scheduled to take place around the world up until November 23 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Last week, they were pictured arriving at rehearsals without Liam, where they reportedly played together for six hours. The Sun reported: “Noel and Liam are rehearsing separately for now and won’t be going into a studio together until next month. Once Noel has finished up, Liam will be coming in to rehearse with the band.”

It is believed that the brothers don’t want to be seen together until the opening show in Cardiff.

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