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Zak Starkey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Zak Starkey | ||
|---|---|---|
| Background information | ||
| Birth name | Zak Starkey | |
| Born | September 13, 1965 London, England |
|
| Genre(s) | Rock | |
| Occupation(s) | Drummer | |
| Instrument(s) | Drums and Percussion | |
| Years active | 1980-present | |
| Associated acts |
Icicle Works, the Waterboys, ASAP, the Lightning Seeds, Face, Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band, The Who, Oasis | |
Zak Starkey (born September 13, 1965 in London, England) is the drummer for English rock band Oasis. He has also worked with other prominent acts such as The Who, Johnny Marr, Icicle Works, the Waterboys, ASAP, and the Lightning Seeds.
He is also renowned as the first-born child of Beatles legendary drummer Ringo Starr (real name: Richard Starkey) and his first wife, Maureen Cox.
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Starkey received his first starter drum kit from his father, although it is mistakenly reported that it was given to him by his idol, The Who's Keith Moon. Moon did, however, give Zak his first professional kit – one Moon previously used with The Who, and also some drumming lessons.
At the age of eight, Starkey became interested in music. At ten, he started teaching himself how to play drums after receiving only one lesson from his famous father, who reportedly did not want him following in his footsteps. Although Ringo praises his son's undeniable skills and talent, he said that he "always regarded Zak as a lawyer or as a doctor", not a drummer like himself.
By the age of 12, Starkey was already performing in pubs with a band. In his teens, Starkey was a member of a garage act, the Next. He eventually landed work with a re-formed Spencer Davis Group. In 1985, shortly after getting married, Starkey released a musical version of Wind in the Willows with Eddie Hardin.
On September 7, 1985, a week before his 20th birthday, his daughter was born, making his father, Ringo Starr, the first grandfather of all the Beatles' members. However, Zak suffered the tragic loss of his mother, Maureen Cox in 1994 when she died of leukemia, despite a bone marrow transplant for which Zak was the donor.
In 1996, Starkey left his band Face, to fulfill a childhood dream of joining The Who. He has received very good reviews in this role for being a strong drumming presence but without explicitly imitating Moon. Zak has been the full-time drummer for The Who since their 1996 Quadrophenia Tour. Both Townshend and Daltrey have stated that he is the best drummer The Who have had since the death of original drummer Keith Moon. He has provided drumming for one track on The Who's new album Endless Wire, and for two new tracks released in 2004 on The Who: Then and Now. However, he was unable to provide the drumming for the EP Wire & Glass or the album Endless Wire because he was on tour with Oasis and at the time Townshend wasn't ready for the songs. He is currently on The Who Tour 2006-2007. The tour is expected to finish at Glastonbury this year as Zak wants to continue his drumming for Oasis.
According to Pete Townshend's official web site, Zak was invited to become a full member of The Who, but he declined:
| “ | some of you may have noticed in one of my recent diary postings that I welcomed Zak into the Who as a permanent member. This is something he doesn't feel he needs or wants. Let's just say that the door is always open to this amazing musician, and - whenever we can - we will always try to make it possible for Zak to work with the Who in the future.[1] | ” |
In 2004, Starkey joined the Britpop band Oasis, filling a void left by longtime drummer Alan White's departure. In May 2005, Noel Gallagher revealed to the BBC that Starkey had recorded in the recording sessions (March-December 2004) for their new album, Don't Believe The Truth. In an official promotional video for the album, Zak commented on the band and the sessions, saying, "It was amazing. They're all singers, They're all guitar players, they're all songwriters, they're all producers... and they're all fucking drummers."
Starkey participated in every show on Oasis' 2005/2006 world tour and also appeared in the promo videos for the singles. However, as he isn't an official member of the band yet, he very rarely appeared with the rest of the band in promotional activities such as interviews and photo shoots.
After the end of tours in April, Noel Gallagher confirmed that Starkey was invited to be Oasis' official drummer, but that couldn't materialize before his current working engagements with The Who are completed in mid-2007. Noel said that he felt Starkey had strong emotional ties with The Who and he wouldn't leave them completely, also adding that he was content to have Starkey alternate his career between the two bands.
In addition to his work with The Who and Oasis, Starkey continued to work with other acts, including touring with The Lightning Seeds. In 2000 Starkey was a founding member of Johnny Marr & The Healers, debuting with Boomslang three years later.
- It is interesting to note that The Beatles are one of Oasis' biggest influences. His father Ringo likes Oasis very much and he commented that he likes them more now that his talented son is drumming with them. Ringo was also going to present the Brit Award to Oasis on 14 February 2007, but he couldn't appear. Zak was behind the drums that night.
- http://www.oasisaustralia.com.au/ Oasis Australia]
- Kathy's Zak Site - frequently updated fansite of Zak with lot of info about his session and touring work
- Oasis Online Argentina
- Listen to Oasis
- Oasis Fanatic - An online community of Oasis fans
- The Who Discussion Forum
- Cigarettes and alcohol - The best French Oasis forum
- Stop Crying Your Heart Out
| Oasis |
| Liam Gallagher | Noel Gallagher | Gem Archer | Andy Bell | Zak Starkey |
| Tony McCarroll | Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs | Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan | Alan White |
| Discography |
|---|
| Studio albums: Definitely Maybe | (What's the Story) Morning Glory? | Be Here Now Standing on the Shoulder of Giants | Heathen Chemistry | Don't Believe the Truth |
| Compilations: The Masterplan | Stop the Clocks |
| DVDs: Live by the Sea | …There and Then | Familiar to Millions | Definitely Maybe – The DVD |
| Films: Lord Don't Slow Me Down |
| Related articles |
| The Rain | Britpop | Owen Morris | Creation Records | Big Brother | Awards and nominations |