In the wake of The Who announcing that the band has officially parted ways with longtime touring drummer Zak Starkey, Starkey’s replacement, Scott Devours, has posted a lengthy message on his social media pages sharing his feelings about getting the coveted gig.
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In his note, Devours expressed extreme excitement about taking on drumming duties for The Who, while acknowledging that he realizes many fans are upset about Starkey’s departure from the legendary British group.
Devours began by referencing the message that Who co-founders Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey posted on the band’s socials on May 18 that announcing Scott is the group’s new drummer.
“[W]ith a short, simple Instagram post, Pete and Roger, once again, changed my life forever,” Devours wrote. “It’s hard to express the tsunami of emotions that I’m processing since that incredible news, but there are a couple of things I feel compelled to say.”
He started by thanking his family, friends, and fans who sent him messages congratulating him.
“The amount of positivity thrown my way has been overwhelming,” Scott said. “I truly thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Also, please don’t ask me for tickets, lol.”
On the Mixed Emotions He’s Feeling Because of Starkey’s Exit
Devours then addressed the fans that undoubtedly have negative feelings about Starkey’s exit from The Who.
“I understand and accept the reality that there are many lifelong Who fans who are absolutely gutted by the news that Zak is no longer on the throne behind The Who,” he noted. “As a huge fan myself, there is a part of me that’s processing this loss with a heavy heart too. It really is a strange contradiction of emotions to have the greatest moment of my professional career also be one framed with some sadness and shadowed by someone else’s loss.”
Scott added, “It’s tough to put into words actually, but I know it’s there and it’s real.”
Devours then pointed out that the “reality” of the situation was that “many fans … will not accept me or anyone on that throne except for Zak.”
He continued, “I know that this will be the case for some and I acknowledge that. For others, perhaps the jury is still out. Maybe I’ll need to let the music do the talking?”
Wants to Honor the Legacy of The Who’s Previous Drummers
Devours then talked about the pressure he’s facing becoming The Who’s drummer.
“In my world, there are no bigger shoes to fill than those behind Pete and Roger,” he maintained. “The weight of this responsibility is enormous and I am feeling every ounce of it. What I want to say to all of the fans is that I will do everything I can to honor the legacy of The Who, Zak, Kenney Jones, Simon Phillips and the memory of the great Keith Moon. For my name to even be mentioned in a sentence like that literally sends shivers down my spine and I know I need to earn this honor.”
Devours also commented on the fact that The Who’s recently announced The Song Is Over Tour is slated to be the band’s final trek to visit the U.S.
“Since this is the last time Pete and Roger will be touring the US, playing the greatest songs ever written, I will be giving them every second of my time, every beat of my heart, and every drop of my sweat and blood,” he insisted. “This is my ultimate goal.”
Scott added, “But this tour isn’t about me or anyone other than The Who, which IS Pete and Roger. I will give them everything I have and the rest is soon to be history.”
Devours concluded, “Thank you for reading this. Now I’m going to go throw up, lol.”
More About Devours
Devours, 58, is based in New York City, and has played with a variety of band’s, including Oleander. For more than a decade, he has been a member of Daltrey’s solo touring band.
Scott filled in for Starkey at some of The Who’s 2012 and 2013 tour dates when Zak was injured.
More About Starkey’s Exit from The Who
In mid-April, The Who announced that it would be parting ways with Starkey, who began drumming with the band in 1999. Just a few days later, though, The Who announced that Starkey and the group were working through some “communication issues,” and that Zak would continue play drums for the band.
Then, on May 18, Townshend and Daltrey confirmed that The Who would indeed be moving forward without Starkey.
“The Who are heading for retirement, whereas Zak is [20 years] younger and has a great future with his new band and other exciting projects,” the duo said in a joint statement. “He needs to devote all his energy into making it all a success. We both wish him all the luck in the world.”
Starkey, meanwhile, said in a statement on his own socials that it was not his decision to leave The Who.
The Who’s 2025 Tour Plans
As previously reported, The Who will play two concerts in Italy this summer before launching it’s The Song Is Over Tour of North America. Those shows are scheduled for July 20 near Padua and July 22 in Milan.
In addition, Daltrey has three U.K. dates lined up with his solo band. They’re scheduled for July 30 in Halifax, August 1 in Audley End, and August 8 in Margate.
The Who’s 2025 North American tour kicks off August 16 in Sunrise, Florida, and is scheduled through a September 28 concert in Las Vegas. The trek currently features 17 dates.
(Photo by Johnny Louis/Getty Images)
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