Ringo Starr criticizes Roger Daltrey for firing his son from The Who

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Zak Starkey openly shared his feelings about the turbulent times he faced when The Who first dismissed him, then took him back before ultimately “retiring” him. Throughout this challenging period, Starkey found unwavering support from his father, Ringo Starr, whom he commended for standing up for him.

Reflecting on his father’s reaction to the situation, Starkey candidly recalled Ringo Starr’s discontent with Roger Daltrey’s band management style, referring to the frontman as “that little man” running the show. Despite expressing his frustrations with Daltrey and Pete Townsend, Starkey emphasized that he does not harbor any resentment towards them. Describing The Who as a band with a penchant for chaos, he acknowledged that weirder incidents had occurred within the group, and he holds no grudges.

The turn of events also meant missing out on the opportunity to tour with Oasis. Feeling slighted, Starkey reached out to Oasis members, questioning why he was not included in their plans to rejuvenate the iconic band. However, the reunion went on without him, as Liam Gallagher expressed contentment with working alongside Joey Waronker.

Despite the setbacks, Starkey found solace in his supergroup, Mantra of the Cosmos, which comprises notable musicians such as Oasis bassist Andy Bell and Happy Mondays members Shaun Ryder and Mark “Bez” Berry. The band recently released a new track titled “Rip Off,” featuring the talents of John Lennon’s son, Sean Ono Lennon, and Paul McCartney’s son, James McCartney.

Having weathered the storm of being dismissed and reinstated by The Who, Zak Starkey remains resolute in his music career. Through the unwavering support of his father and his dedication to his craft, Starkey continues to carve out his path in the music industry, finding creative expression and camaraderie in his collaborations with fellow artists. Despite the challenges he has faced along the way, Starkey’s passion for music shines through, ensuring that his legacy remains firmly etched in rock and roll history.