Zak Starkey

Zak Starkey (born September 13, 1965) is the current rock & roll drummer of the famous Britpop band Oasis. Before that he had also worked with prominent acts like The Who (who he still sometimes works with) and Johnny Marr. Zak is the first-born son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey) and Maureen Cox. He was born in London, England.

Related Topics:
September 13 - 1965 - Rock & roll - Drummer - Oasis - The Who - Johnny Marr - Beatles - Ringo Starr - Maureen Cox - London - England

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He received his first small starter drum kit from his father, although legend mistakenly reports that it came from his idol, Keith Moon of The Who (ironically enough, he would replace Moon after he died as the drummer of The Who. Keith had given Zak his first massive professional kit - one previously used by Moon with The Who. By 12, Starkey was already performing in pubs with a band. In his teens, Starkey was a member of the garage act the Next. He eventually landed work at 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, his daughter was born. This made his father, Ringo Starr, the youngest grandfather of all Beatles' members. Unfortunately he suffered a blow when his mother died of leukemia in 1994, despite a bone marrow transplant in which Zak was donor.

Related Topics:
Keith Moon - The Who - Spencer Davis Group - 1985 - Wind in the Willows - Eddie Hardin - September 7 - Ringo Starr - Leukemia

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At the age of eight, he 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 that Ringo appraises his son's undeniable skills and talents, he said about latters's musical dedication and endeavour that he "always regarded Zak as a lawyer or as a doctor", not a drummer like himself.

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Despite Zak's popular father, his middle name isn't " son of Ringo " and he actually has a long and varied list of credits to his name. Zak had established himself a sought-after session musician and as gifted and proven drummer, playing drums for artists like Icicle Works, the Waterboys, ASAP, and the Lightning Seeds. In 1996, Starkey left his band Face, to fulfill his childhood dream of joining The Who. He has received very good notices in this role for being a strong drumming presence but without explicitly imitating Moon.

Related Topics:
Icicle Works - The Waterboys - ASAP - The Lightning Seeds - 1996 - Face - The Who

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In addition, he 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.

Related Topics:
2000 - Johnny Marr - Boomslang

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