‘Tsunami Of Emotions’: Scott Devours Reacts To Becoming The Who’s Drummer

The Who’s new touring drummer Scott Devours recently took to social media to share a note on the “tsunami of emotions” he is experiencing upon hearing he was hired by the legendary rock band. The Who announced the departure of longtime drummer Zak Starkey for the second time earlier this week.

Zak Starkey’s exit from The Who has been convoluted. The band’s touring drummer of 29 years (and Ringo Starr’s son) was apparently let go for the first time following The Who’s annual Teenage Cancer Trust benefit concerts at London’s Royal Albert Hall, reportedly because Who frontman Roger Daltrey was upset about the loudness of Starkey’s playing. Daltrey and guitarist Pete Townshend then seemingly mended the relationship but it appears that things deteriorated once again.

Enter Scott Devours, who plays in Roger Daltrey’s solo band and has previously filled in for Starkey in The Who. Naturally, Scott has been experiencing a wide range of emotions, which he eloquently described. Read a note from The Who’s new touring drummer who will join the band on their upcoming farewell tour:

Yesterday, with a short, simple Instagram post, Pete and Roger, once again, changed my life forever. 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.

The first is that I need to thank all the family, friends & fans for the countless messages, texts and emails congratulating me and sharing their excitement. Please accept this group: “thank you.” The amount of positivity thrown my way has been overwhelming, I truly thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Also, please don’t ask me for tickets, lol.

The second is that 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. 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. It’s tough to put into words actually, but I know it’s there and it’s real.

I guess the reality of it is this:

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. For others, perhaps the jury is still out. Maybe I’ll need to let the music do the talking? In my world, there are no bigger shoes to fill than those behind Pete and Roger. 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. 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. This is my ultimate goal.

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, lol.

Scott Devours

Following two dates in Italy, The Who kick off their North American farewell tour on August 16 near Miami. Scroll down for the band’s itinerary and ticket info.