Starkey, 60, has kept he beat for some of the biggest acts in rock ‘n’ roll history and has experienced the music world from a very unique perspective. His eyes have not been blinded by the stardust. His new multi-media show, \u201cZak Starkey\u2026Who?: An Evening of Drums and Conversation,\u201d with an assist from Marky Ramone, is Friday, Feb. 20 at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City. It promises music, memories and more.<\/p>\n
![\"Ringo](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0026604da0eb834478c2cf3f84ed4265.jpeg\"\/)
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Ringo Starr’s son Zak Starkey attends Ringo Starr’s birthday celebration at Capitol Records in Hollywood, California, on July 7, 2017.<\/p>\n
Keith Moon<\/a> was a family friend.<\/p>\n \u201cHe came and took some of our clothes so he could measure us for wet suits to surf,\u201d Starkey said. \u201cWhen he came to pick us up on a Friday night he took us straight to a nightclub \u2026. Our clothes were in the back of the car and he didn\u2019t mention anything and we went and stayed with him and didn\u2019t do any surfing.\u201d<\/p>\n Support local music this weekend in Monmouth, Ocean counties (Feb. 20)<\/p>\n 1 of 33<\/p>\n Check out The Characters at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at Hemingway\u2019s Cafe in Seaside Heights.<\/p>\n Starkey would later drum for the Who for nearly 30 years before leaving the band, at lead singer Roger Daltrey’s request, before their farewell tour last year.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the drumming version of Brexit,\u201d Starkey said. \u201cThey wanted a change so they voted for someone else.\u201d<\/p>\n Starkey first gained notice in the music world when he appeared on Little Steven’s 1985 anti-apartheid anthem \u201cSun City.\u201d The track featured many music greats, including Bruce Springsteen, George Clinton, Joey Ramone, Pete Townshend, Pat Benatar, Bob Dylan, DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Melle Mel, and dad Ringo.<\/p>\n \u201cI was raised in a multi-cultural society and it was obvious that Nelson Mandela shouldn’t be in prison and white folks shouldn’t be doing that to people,\u201d said Starkey of South Africa in the ’80s.<\/p>\n The track was one of music’s earlier rap and rock crossovers.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery label in London said you cant mix rap and rock,\u201d Starkey said. \u201cIt was like a rule. Rock ‘n’ roll shouldn’t have rules in it.\u201d<\/p>\n Starkey’s resume includes tenures with Oasis, Johnny Marr of the Smiths, Mick Jones of the Clash and more. His dad is the \u201ccoolest\u201d and the music maker he admires most is Preston, once called the Fifth Beatle.<\/p>\n \u201cThey were doing the same thing for so long then they got this guy who massively inspired them,\u201d said Starkey of Preston’s impact on the Beatles.<\/p>\n Go: Zak Starkey\u2026Who?: An Evening of Drums and Conversation, 7 p.m. Friday. Feb. 20, Gramercy Theatre, 127 E 23rd St., New York City. Starting at $49. www.thegramercytheatre.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n