Nobody knows what it’s like … except Scott Devours. The musician has replaced the fired Zak Starkey as the Who’s drummer for their upcoming American tour, which was announced after Starkey’s drawn-out separation from the band. Devours, who has been a steady presence in Roger Daltrey’s solo shows for years, has mixed emotions about taking the gig — and, unsurprisingly, this has to do with Starkey’s exit. “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. As a huge fan myself, there is a part of me that’s processing this loss with a heavy heart too,” Devours wrote on social media May 19. “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.” Devours is hopeful that people in the audience can keep an open mind, not unlike when Kenney Jones replaced Keith Moon as the band’s drummer. “I’m sure there are many fans who will not accept me or anyone on that throne except for Zak. I know that this will be the case for some and I acknowledge that,” he continued. “For others, perhaps the jury is still out. Maybe I’ll need to let the music do the talking?”
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Daltrey and Pete Townshend have confirmed this will the final time the Who will perform in the U.S. and, as Devours puts it, “play the greatest songs ever written.” Prior to this tour, Starkey — who is Ringo Starr’s son — had been with the band for nearly 30 years. Escalating matters, Daltrey and Townshend have begun to publicly gripe about each other in the firing’s aftermath, which Devours is ignoring for now. “I will be giving them every second of my time, every beat of my heart, and every drop of my sweat and blood. This is my ultimate goal,” he 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. Thank you for reading this. Now I’m going to go throw up.” The stateside shows begin in August.
