From Moon to Oasis: The Rhythm of Zak Starkey

 

A few weeks ago, we heard about the firing, rehiring, and firing again of Zak Starkey from The Who. Well, let’s get to know more about Zak.

 

For drummers who appreciate a balance between raw instinct and tasteful restraint, few modern players bridge the past and present like Zak Starkey. Starkey, the son of Ringo Starr and protégé of Keith Moon, grew up at the intersection of legacy and chaos. But what makes him truly fascinating isn’t his lineage, it’s how he developed his own identity behind the kit. Starkey blends Moon’s explosive unpredictability with a more grounded sense of time and groove, honed over decades touring with The Who, Oasis, and a slew of other projects. This article explores the development of his style, his key influences, and one standout performance that shows why he’s earned the respect of drummers across genres.

 

A Childhood Shaped by Icons

September 13, 1965, in London, England, Zak Richard Starkey was born into the drum world. As the son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, he had access to some of the most iconic musicians in rock history. But it was Keith Moon, the wild, untamed drummer for The Who, who would gift Zak his first drum kit at the age of eight and set the tone for his future. By age 10 or 11, Zak was playing along to records, developing an ear for rock, reggae, and ska. Despite his father’s reservations about a drumming career, Zak was captivated by the instrument, playing along to records and immersing himself in classic rock, ska, and reggae.

 

Musical Influences

• Keith Moon – His main influence, especially in terms of wild energy and theatrical drumming.
• Ringo Starr – Zak has cited his father’s musical taste and work ethic as deeply influential, even if he didn’t take formal lessons from him.
• John Bonham – known for his powerful and groove-oriented drumming, especially in Led Zeppelin. 
• Billy Cobham – highly skilled and innovative jazz drummer, Cobham’s technical prowess and creative approaches have also influenced Starkey‘s playing. 
• Clem Burke – the drummer for the band Blondie. His energy and rhythmic drive are also notable in Starkey‘s style. 

 

Drumming Style

• Aggressive yet controlled – While he channels the chaos of Keith Moon, Zak maintains more precision and groove.
• Powerful live presence – He’s known for high-energy performances that match or exceed the intensity of the original drummers in the bands he joins.
• Versatile – Zak’s style adapts to rock, reggae, psychedelia, and pop. He knows when to let the song breathe and when to unleash thunder.
• No formal training – He is essentially self-taught, which contributes to his natural feel and unorthodox fills.

What sets Zak apart is his ability to channel his influences without merely imitating them. He took Moon’s chaos and injected it with discipline, combining tom-heavy fills and dynamic crashes with a keen sense of when to hold back. His time with The Who demanded a tightrope walk: preserving the spirit of Moon’s anarchic energy while ensuring the band stayed musically coherent. In contrast, his work with Oasis required a more straightforward, driving approach, and Starkey delivered with a rock-solid groove and sharp snare work that gave their mid-2000s albums a new vitality.

 

Career Highlights

Early Years

• Started playing in bands in the 1980s, such as The Next and Icicle Works.
• Joined John Entwistle’s band (The Who’s bassist) in the late ’80s, which was a stepping stone to bigger opportunities.

The Who

• First performed with The Who in 1996.
• Became their unofficial full-time drummer, especially after the death of original drummer Keith Moon.
• Played on tours and albums, including Endless Wire (2006).
• Pete Townshend has praised Zak for being the “only drummer who could play Keith Moon’s parts with both respect and his own identity.”

Oasis

• Joined in 2004 during the recording of Don’t Believe the Truth.
• His drumming revitalized the band’s energy; he toured with them and appeared on Dig Out Your Soul (2008).
• Departed after the band’s split in 2009.

Other Projects

• Co-founded SSHHAARRPP with his partner Sharna Liguz.
• Worked with artists such as:
  • Johnny Marr
  • Paul Weller
  • The Lightning Seeds
  • Chris Difford (Squeeze)
• Known for producing and playing in lesser-known but musically adventurous projects.

 

Here are a few highlight videos of Zak Starkey:

Wonderwall (Live, 2005)

One of Zak‘s most effective live performances can be seen in Oasis‘s 2005 rendition of “Wonderwall.” While the original track is driven by acoustic guitar and light percussion, Zak‘s live drumming brings a new depth to the song. His performance injects energy without overpowering the arrangement. He uses space masterfully, allowing each kick and snare to punctuate the melody, and employs tasteful fills that elevate the song’s emotional impact. It’s a masterclass in restraint and musicality, two things that define Zak‘s approach.

 

The Who – Baba O’Riley Live at Hyde Park 2015

Here’s a live reinterpretation of a classic. Zak nails the legendary triplet-based groove that Moon made famous but with a cleaner execution. His playing is more grounded, with focused timekeeping and flourishing, so the band stays tight. Watch Hyde Park (2015) to see how Zak keeps the spirit of Moon alive while holding the band together.

 

Zak Starkey’s drum cam (Live in Argentina 2017)

 

The Song Is Over – Live at the Royal Albert Hall 2025

 

 

Beyond Rock: Exploring New Rhythms

Zak‘s versatility goes beyond stadium rock. With SSHHAARRPP, a project with partner Sharna Liguz, he delves into experimental and dub-influenced music, leaning on his love for reggae and groove-heavy rhythms. This side of his work shows a drummer not content to stay in one lane. Instead, Zak embraces a wide rhythmic vocabulary, proving that his skills extend far beyond his father’s shadow or Moon‘s legacy.

 

 

Zak Starkey isn’t just a drummer with great bloodlines, he’s a musician with his own voice, shaped by passion rather than pedigree. His ability to channel the spirit of Keith Moon without becoming a copycat, to drive Oasis with a leaner, meaner backbeat, and to adapt seamlessly between rock, reggae, and pop, makes him a rare kind of player: one who honors tradition while still pushing it forward. For drumming fans, his live work, particularly on songs like “The Shock of the Lightning” or “Baba O’Riley”, offers a lesson in controlled fire: every fill serves the song, and every crash has a purpose. In a world of overplaying and quantization, Zak Starkey reminds us what it means to really play.