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Starkey was reinstated within a matter of days with guitarist Peter Townshend stating: “There have been some communication issues, personal and private on all sides, that needed to be dealt with, and these have been aired happily.” Pete has now confirmed that Zak will not be joining the band for their final tour of North America. Townshend took to his Instagram on Sunday to announce the news to his fans, explaining in the caption: “After many years of great work on drums from Zak the time has come for a change. A poignant time. 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.”  

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The Who are set to go back on tour later this year with their ‘The Song Is Over North America Farewell Tour’ with both band members holding a press conference earlier in the month to announce the tour dates whilst also letting the general public know that this would be the last North American tour to end their 60 year long career.

Pete, 79, said: “Well, all good things must come to an end. It is a poignant time. For me, playing to American audiences and those in Canada has always been incredible. The warmth and engagement of those audiences began back in 1967 with hippies smoking dope, sitting on their blankets and listening deeply and intensely. Music was everywhere. We all felt equal. Today, Roger and I still carry the banner for the late Keith Moon and John Entwistle and of course, all of our long-time Who fans. I must say that although the road has not always been enjoyable for me, it is usually easy: the best job I could ever have had. I keep coming back. Every time I do, I meet new fans and feel new energy. Roger and I are in a good place, despite our age, eager to throw our weight behind this fond farewell to all our faithful fans, and hopefully to new ones who might jump in to see what they have been missing for the last 57 years. This tour will be about fond memories, love and laughter. Make sure you join in.”

Roger, 81, said: “Every musician’s dream in the early ’60s was to make it big in the US charts. For The Who, that dream came true in 1967 and our lives were changed forever. The warmth of the American audiences over the years have been inspirational to me, and reflect the feeling I remember getting after hearing the first rock records coming across the radio. Musical freedom! Rock gave us a feeling of generational rebellion. To me, America has always been great. The cultural differences had a huge impact on me, this was the land of the possible. It’s not easy to end the big part of my life that touring with The Who has been. Thanks for being there for us and look forward to seeing you one last time.”

The Who will be joined by new drummer Scott Devours on their last tour. Devours is known for his band No Plan B whilst also having toured and collaborated with Eric Clapton, Roger Daltrey, Honey Honey and more.

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The tour, named after one of the song on the band’s famous 1971 album ‘Who’s Next’ will go on for a total of sixteen dates and will start in Florida at the Amerant Bank Arena before making pit stops in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Toronto, New Jersey, New York and other cities. The tour will finish on September 28th at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Guitarist, Pete Townshend said to The Independent: “Well, all good things must come to an end. It is a poignant time. For me, playing to American audiences and those in Canada has always been incredible. The warmth and engagement of those audiences began back in 1967 with hippies smoking dope, sitting on their blankets and listening deeply and intensely. Music was everywhere. We all felt equal.”

“Today, Roger and I still carry the banner for the late Keith Moon and John Entwistle and of course, all of our long-time Who fans. I must say that although the road has not always been enjoyable for me, it is usually easy: the best job I could ever have had. I keep coming back. Every time I do, I meet new fans and feel new energy. Roger and I are in a good place, despite our age, eager to throw our weight behind this fond farewell to all our faithful fans, and hopefully to new ones who might jump in to see what they have been missing for the last 57 years. This tour will be about fond memories, love and laughter. Make sure you join in.”

Lead singer, Roger Daltrey, added: “Every musician’s dream in the early ’60s was to make it big in the US charts. For The Who, that dream came true in 1967 and our lives were changed forever.The warmth of the American audiences over the years have been inspirational to me, and reflect the feeling I remember getting after hearing the first rock records coming across the radio. Musical freedom! Rock gave us a feeling of generational rebellion. To me, America has always been great.”

“The cultural differences had a huge impact on me, this was the land of the possible. It’s not easy to end the big part of my life that touring with The Who has been. Thanks for being there for us and look forward to seeing you one last time.”

Tickets for ‘The Song Is Over North America Farewell Tour’ go on sale on Friday, May 16 at 10am local time through the band’s official website.

The Who ‘The Song Is Over North America Farewell Tour’ dates:

AUGUST:

16 – Sunrise, FL – Amerant Bank Arena

19 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center

21 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center

23 – Atlantic City, NJ – Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall

26 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park

28 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater

30 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden

SEPTEMBER:

2 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage

4 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage

7 – Chicago, IL – United Center

17 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl

19 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl

21 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre

23 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena

25 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena

28 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena