BEATLES MAGAZINE: ZAK STARKEY HAS SAID HE FEARED HE WOULD DIE AFTER HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A BLOOD CLOT

Saturday, 1 February 2025

ZAK STARKEY HAS SAID HE FEARED HE WOULD DIE AFTER HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A BLOOD CLOT

Zak Starkey has said he feared he would die as he spoke for the first time since he cancelled gigs after he was diagnosed with a blood clot.
Zak had been set to take the stage with his supergroup Mantra of the Cosmos - including Happy Mondays vocalist Shaun Ryder, 62, Oasis guitarist Andy Bell, 54, percussionist Mark 'Bez' Berry, 60, and Noel Gallagher, 57, - when he received the alarming health alert, leading him to withdraw from a London gig last Tuesday, hours ahead of showtime.

He has now revealed that the blood clot in his right leg has forced him to rest for two weeks on doctors orders, and he has been prescribed blood thinners for the health condition.

Zak told MailOnline: 'At first I thought maybe I just pulled a hamstring or something because that's where the pain started on the knee and then the MRI scan showed nothing and then an ultrasound showed it the next day.

'So we had to pull the gig and I was told to go home straight away. I'm on blood thinners and that should move it you know but it wasn't ideal news.

'I am a little bit worried but they said a couple of weeks should be alright. It should be able to dissipate but there is a worry if you move it too much and it hits something major. If it hits your lungs or your heart or your brain you're in deep sh**. Or deep earth.'

Zak said: 'We set up two kits and we double drummed the Beatles show. I've never been nervous in my life - I've been on stage since I was 12 years old - but it's holy music. I know it, but I don't know the drum bit. I was extremely nervous and I never get nervous. It's never ever phased me but that really phase me. 'I was just thinking this is holy music and as soon as I got on stage it did pick me up. 'I was chatting with Noel Gallagher before and telling him how much I was shi****g it. His advice was "Get yourself down there and get on with it".'

Zak's band mates remained at the venue on Tuesday after he was forced to skip the gig.

In lieu of a live show, patrons watched film of a performance from the group Sunday filmed in the hallowed Beatles ground of Liverpool at the Cavern Club.

'First of all, can I say how special it was to play the Cavern with Zak Starkey,' Bez told The Independent at the time.'He's never been to the Cavern before and it felt special ... it was better than anything I ever imagined in my life. I couldn't believe how good it was ... to play there ... I had to show off right at the end.

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