Takin' A Walk – Music History with Buzz Knight

Episode Summary: Buzz Knight Interviews Zak Starkey on Drumming, Legacy, and Iconic Performances

Date: February 6, 2026
Guest: Zak Starkey

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Buzz Knight sits down with acclaimed drummer Zak Starkey to explore his storied musical journey. Known as the son of Ringo Starr and godson of Keith Moon, Zak discusses breaking out beyond his famous lineage to become one of rock’s most in-demand drummers. The conversation covers his formative years, collaborations with The Who and Oasis, philosophies on drumming, experiences with music legends, reflections on the music industry, and his upcoming interactive performance at the Gramercy Theatre in New York. Starkey’s candid, humorous, and insightful reflections reveal the personal drive, creativity, and camaraderie that shape his legacy behind the kit.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Importance of Drum Sound and Early Influences

• Drum Sound's Significance
  • Buzz begins by referencing producer Peter Asher’s comment: “a good drumming sound is halfway to a good record.” Starkey agrees, stating the drum sound pulls listeners in and referencing iconic examples like John Bonham of Led Zeppelin.
  • Quote:

    “A great drum sound... you know, I was attracted to The Who by the drum sound immediately. Well, and the guitar sound, it was so aggressive. But yeah, I would agree with that. Yeah. John Bonham, like, you know, you're drawn into his drumming.” – Zak Starkey (04:34)

• Musical Beginnings
  • First played guitar after being inspired by Marc Bolan of T. Rex at age six. Switched to drums due to the omnipresence of instruments in the Starkey household (05:09).
  • Early constant exposure to music and studios through family—drums, jam sessions at home, and general musical community.

2. Mentorship from Ringo Starr and Keith Moon

• Family and Mentoring Dynamics
  • Ringo gave Zak one drum lesson then said, “You’re on your own now, son.”
  • Keith Moon served more as an encouraging godfather and mentor rather than a teacher, sharing stories about music, surfing, and life.
  • On Moon:

    “Keith mentored me and encouraged me and talked to me about other stuff like surfing and the Beach Boys and girls and things.” – Zak Starkey (06:23)

  • Unforgettable anecdotes: Keith Moon doing a Hitler impression while driving down Sunset Strip with Zak and his brother (06:44).

3. Playing and Touring with Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band

• Joining Ringo’s Shows
  • Participated in several All Starr Band tours, including 1989, 1992, 1995.
  • Describes communal musicianship in the family; everyone plays drums (07:34).
  • Memorable moment sitting in on “Photograph” and “With a Little Help From My Friends” between Jim Keltner and Levon Helm (08:30).
  • On the All-Starr Band:

    “Set two kits up next to each other, you know. ...I got up and guested on the last couple of songs. Photograph and little help sitting between Jim Kelton and Levon Helm, which is pretty cool.” – Zak Starkey (07:34)

4. Reflections on The Band and Genre

• Admires The Band for their genre-defying style:

  "I didn't start thinking of genre until, I mean, quite recently when, you know, music started getting segregated... What would you call The Band? Like Americana? I think he has his own genre, probably, or Canadiana. I don't know." – Zak Starkey (09:22)

5. Upcoming Gramercy Theater Show & Innovative Live Performance

(10:03–12:08)

• Show Structure
  • Premiering a personal documentary film: an overview of his life, career, and family—includes unreleased footage and behind-the-scenes moments.
  • Live drumming with AI-assisted isolation of drum tracks: will play live drums in sync with performance footage where original drums have been removed.
  • Q&A session with audience following the film.
  • Rare film footage includes: Pete Townshend joking about Zak, meetings with Roger Daltrey and John "Rabbit" Bundrick, and Johnny Marr collaborations.
  • Quote:

    “With AI now, ...you can take the drums out of it. So I'm going to play the drums live with everybody else on the screen from the same performance.” – Zak Starkey (10:03) “Just not shows how much fun everything has been, really, because it really has, you.” – Zak Starkey (12:09)

6. Musicianship with The Who: Learning, Adapting, and the Keith Moon Legacy

• Learning to Play Music, Not Just Songs
  • The Who’s performances taught him musical spontaneity:

    “I don't fear anything musically now. I think when I started with them, I really didn't know what music was... But I didn't know how to play music. And so I started working with Pete and Roger because they're playing music and it's not a set structure, it's where it goes. It goes, and that's music.” – Zak Starkey (12:45)

• Preparation for Demanding Tours
  • Practices by playing along to different Who albums to capture the band’s unpredictable energy.
  • Could not “copy” Keith Moon; instead, aims to capture the vibe and individual personality:

    “I don't think anyone can copy Keith Moon. I don't think Keith Moon could copy Keith Moon, really, two times in a row. ...You could try and catch the vibe, which is what I've done.” – Zak Starkey (14:16)

7. Drumming Influences and Mount Rushmore of Drummers

• Admired Drummers (15:39–16:41)
  • Levon Helm and Richard Manuel (The Band)
  • Jim Gordon (“what a funky drummer... tragic ending to a guy’s amazing career”)
  • Jim Keltner (“looks like he's doing a slow motion... he's not, you know”)
  • Hal Blaine (influence on session era)
  • Quote:

    “I just spunk. He's got a. He's got it. He's got a funk. He's really funky.” – Zak Starkey on Jim Gordon (16:29)

8. Playing with Oasis and Other British Rock Legends

• With Oasis
  • His favorite group; called directly by the Gallagher brothers and “never been so buzzed” (16:51).
• With Johnny Marr & Paul Weller
  • Collaborations happen due to mutual connection and chemistry rather than strategic career moves.
  • Johnny Marr story: met in a NY elevator, jammed soon after, built a long-term musical friendship culminating in The Healers and a global tour (17:18).

9. Signature Drum Sound: Philosophy and Practice

• Approach to Tuning & Setup (18:05–19:45)
  • No set philosophy; tailors setup to song and artist.
  • Oasis: very specific; sometimes radically different setups (e.g., playing on a box of Weetos with wooden spoons).
  • Johnny Marr: used own drum sound; adjusted to song and room.
  • The Who: sometimes tuned drums himself, other times relied on a “drum doctor.”
  • Quote:

    “With Johnny's record, that's kind of my sound, really. ...just tune them. Tune them into the room and then tune and then adjust them a little bit for each song, you know.” – Zak Starkey (18:21)

10. Perspectives on the Music Industry’s Evolution

• Fewer Venues, The Impact of Streaming
  • Fewer places for bands to play; bands now make money via touring, merchandise, and vinyl.
  • Quote:

    “There aren't as many places to play now. ...the only way for bands to make money is like, merchandise and merchant touring or physical, like vinyl, you know. ...Here, single, it's not going to pay for anything.” – Zak Starkey (20:01)

11. Rock’s Current State & What’s Next

• On Rock’s Ongoing Evolutions
  • Unconcerned with the scene’s current status; focuses on making music for himself and hopes “something will happen that's great” (20:23).
  • Stays optimistic for garage bands and youth culture to push forward, as community has always been key to music (21:57).
  • Quote:

    “Garage bands are fucking amazing. Loud guitars, you know, kids that can't wait to get a guitar and can't wait to get on stage, can't wait to get their band out there and make people listen to it. ...That and I hope it's still out there.” – Zak Starkey (21:57)

12. Most Memorable Performances and Community

• Concert for New York, 2001:
  • Considers this his proudest moment due to its emotional resonance and powerful community—a cathartic, unifying experience:

    “Greatest moment is the concert for New York with the WHO in 2001. ...It was an emotional thing as well as a musical thing...” – Zak Starkey (21:00)

• On Community in Music
  • Says music’s role in community is “very important,” especially for bringing youth together, referencing Woodstock and local scenes (21:57).

13. The “Takin’ a Walk” Question

• Who would you “take a walk” with (living or dead)?
  • “My mom.” (22:46)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the uniqueness of Keith Moon:

  “I don't think anyone can copy Keith Moon. I don't think Keith Moon could copy Keith Moon, really, two times in a row.” – Zak Starkey (14:16)

• On playing with Oasis:

  “They were my favorite group of my generation, and I knew the two brothers a little bit, and they called me up and asked me to play in their band, and I never been so buzzed in my time, I don't think.” – Zak Starkey (16:51)

• On the best gig of his life:

  “Greatest moment is the concert for New York with the WHO in 2001. ...We slammed it. ...The audience, the front rows were, were the people that, that, that were trying to save their lives [in] the Twin Towers...” – Zak Starkey (21:00)

• On the essence of live bands:

  “Garage bands are fucking amazing. Loud guitars, you know, kids that can't wait to get a guitar and can't wait to get on stage, can't wait to get their band out there and make people listen to it…” – Zak Starkey (21:57)

• Most personal walk:

  “My mom.” – Zak Starkey (22:46)

Important Timestamps

• Main Conversation Start — 04:07
• On Drum Sound and Early Influences — 04:16–05:50
• Ringo, Keith Moon & Musical Home-Life — 05:50–07:05
• Touring with Ringo’s All-Starr Band — 07:05–09:01
• Reflections on The Band/Genre Questions — 09:01–09:43
• Gramercy Theater Show Details — 09:43–12:09
• Joining The Who; Learning to Play Music — 12:25–14:16
• Keith Moon’s Uncopyable Style — 14:16–15:21
• On Influential Drummers — 15:21–16:41
• Playing with Oasis & Collaborations — 16:41–18:05
• Drum Setup Philosophies — 18:05–19:45
• Industry Changes/Streaming — 19:45–20:23
• State of Rock & Future Hopes — 20:23–22:35
• Concert for New York (Career Pinnacle) — 21:00–21:37
• On Music as Community — 21:37–22:35
• Takin’ a Walk Question (Who to walk with?) — 22:35–22:46

Summary

Zak Starkey’s episode is an illuminating look into the life of a modern music legend with a classic rock pedigree. He balances reverence for his roots with his legacy of adventurous creativity and irreverent humor. Highlights include his technical flexibility, his love for community-oriented garage rock, and his honest reflection on the industry. His upcoming Gramercy Theatre event promises an unprecedented combination of memoir, technology, and live drumming—further evidence that Starkey remains not only a torchbearer of rock history but a passionate innovator.