Latest news with #ex-Oasis
Wales Online
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Oasis band member with world famous dad brutally replaced by American musician
Oasis band member with world famous dad brutally replaced by American musician Zak Starkey is the former drummer of Oasis but has also worked with The Who and Mantra of the Cosmos Zak Starkey as the touring drummer for The Who during a performance in Las Vegas in 2017 (Image: Getty Images ) The former drummer of Oasis, Zak Starkey, has voiced his disappointment at being excluded from the band's monumental reunion. Last August, brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher surprised fans by announcing they would reunite for the first time since their explosive split in 2009, with the landmark Oasis 2025 shows starting in Cardiff on Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5. Zak Starkey, who was a member of Oasis from 2004, appeared on BBC Breakfast to discuss his latest track with Mantra of the Cosmos, which features Bez and Shaun Ryder from Happy Mondays and ex-Oasis bass guitarist Andy Bell. While on the news programme, Starkey discussed how Oasis member Noel Gallagher originally wrote the group's new single Domino Bones but then passed it on, suggesting the track was better suited to them. Noel had previously heaped praise on the group, likening them to "Dylan, Dalí and Ginsberg on a rocket ship to the moon to have it with the Clangers". As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Zak told presenter Ben Thompson about his surprise when he received the song from Noel, saying: "I was blown away by it - I couldn't believe it. "The greatest songwriter of my generation sending me a tune." The conversation naturally turned to Zak's thoughts on the eagerly awaited comeback tour, where he openly admitted to feeling "gutted" for not being asked to join the upcoming shows. He commented: "I texted them and said 'why am I not in it?' "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." Noel and Liam Gallagher will embark on a huge reunion tour, 16 years after last performing together, this summer (Image: PA ) He went on to express his enthusiasm about the possibility of touring, telling the BBC: "God, yeah. "Greatest rock and roll band of my generation. Greatest rock and roll singer of my generation." But this isn't Zak's only connection to music fame. Zak Richard Starkey is also the son of a famous drummer - none other than The Beatles' Ringo Starr, whose real name is Richard Starkey. Zak was born in 1965 to Ringo and his first wife, Maureen Starkey (nee Cox). According to The Mirror, Zak had an illustrious childhood, growing up around major stars while enjoying private education and a home in a gated community in Surrey. He spent much of his younger days with The Who's original drummer, Keith Moon, who bought his first drum kit. Moon died in September 1978, with his position in the band filled by Kenney Jones. In 1996, Zak Starkey officially joined The Who during their Quadrophenia tour. As reported by NME, Starkey's departure from The Who has played out in recent months, with the precisionist appearing to publicly confirm that he had been let go, but guitarist Pete Townshend later denied it. In May, Townshend confirmed that Starkey was no longer with the band and added: "the time has come for a change". Meanwhile, it has been confirmed who will be joining the Gallagher brothers on their highly anticipated reunion tour. Zak Starkey's famous dad is none other than Ringo Starr, the drummer of The Beatles (Image: Getty Images ) Andy Bell, the bass player from Mantra of the Cosmos, confirmed recently that he would be joining the brothers on their reunion tour. Gem Archer and Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs will be on guitar, while Christian Madden will be on keys, and the drummer has been confirmed as Joey Waronker. Waronker is an American drummer and has also worked with Beck, R.E.M. and the late American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. He is also a music producer and has collaborated with Tracy Chapman, Nelly Furtado, Paul McCartney and David Byrne, amongst others. Article continues below Oasis has a string of 17 UK dates lined up for the summer, as they kickstart the tour in Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Friday, July 4, with their second gig in the Welsh capital taking place on Saturday, July 5. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . The tour will also feature seven appearances at London's Wembley Stadium, and other highlights include performances at Manchester's Heaton Park.
Edinburgh Live
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
'I was gutted' says former Oasis member who was 'fired' from band
A former Oasis drummer has expressed his disappointment at being left out of the band's highly anticipated reunion gigs this year. Last August, Noel and Liam Gallagher announced they would be reuniting for the first time since their dramatic split in 2009, with their Oasis 2025 shows kicking off in Cardiff in July before moving on to Manchester's Heaton Park for five performances later that month. Zak Starkey, who drummed for Oasis from 2004 to 2009, appeared on BBC Breakfast this morning (May 27) to discuss his new single with supergroup Mantra of the Cosmos, which includes Bez and Shaun Ryder from Happy Mondays and ex-Oasis bassist Andy Bell. The son of Beatles icon Ringo Starr, Zak spoke about the group's new track Domino Bones, which was penned by Noel Gallagher. Noel had offered the song to the group, believing it suited them better, having previously likened the band to 'like Dylan, Dalí and Ginsberg on a rocket ship to the moon to have it with the Clangers'. During the interview with host Ben Thompson, Zak shared his astonishment at receiving a song from Noel, remarking: "I was blown away by it - I couldn't believe it. The greatest songwriter of my generation sending me a tune," reports the Manchester Evening News. When the conversation shifted to the upcoming Oasis reunion tour, Zak didn't hesitate to reveal his feelings, admitting he was 'gutted' not to be included in the lineup for the shows. He remarked: "I texted them and said 'why am I not in it?'. 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." He also expressed that he would have been keen to join the tour if invited. Speaking to a BBC programme, he said: "God, yeah. Greatest rock and roll band of my generation. Greatest rock and roll singer of my generation." Last week saw Andy Bell of Mantra of the Cosmos fame confirm his participation in Liam and Noel's reunion tour. The bassist, who was part of Oasis from 1999 until their split in 2009, shared his excitement about the upcoming tour. While on BBC Breakfast, Zak also discussed his tenure with The Who. As the iconic band's drummer since 1996, he was recently in the news over claims he'd been sacked after a performance at the Royal Albert Hall in March. In addressing the rumours, Zak clarified: "I didn't leave, I never left. We did a gig and there's a song that's called The Song is Over that they've never played live. It's on Who's Next, which is their biggest record, and I suggested it." He detailed how The Who eventually decided to play the song live, but things didn't pan out as expected during the performance. Zak recounted: "We played it at the gig and it went wrong. I'm not going to name names, but it went wrong. It went four bars wrong. "We stopped it again and it was all about the drums being too loud, but my drums are electric - if you stand in front of them, you can't hear them, they're just in my ears. The next thing I know I'm getting the sack." He added: "Sack the drummer, everybody's called me. I posted something about it, and three days later I got my job back. Then two days later, I secretly didn't get my job back and it's all gone haywire since then. "I found out the other day I wasn't fired, I was retired because I was too busy but I've actually got nothing on besides this single - and half the band are in Oasis, half the band are in Happy Mondays so they can't work, I'm totally free."
