Roger Daltrey criticizes former The Who drummer Zak Starkey for being “incredibly upsetting”

Roger Daltrey has expressed his disappointment with Zak Starkey, the former drummer of The Who, for making what he described as “incredibly upsetting” comments following their fallout. Starkey, who is the son of Beatles’ legend Ringo Starr, was dismissed from the band not once, but twice in close succession earlier this year. The circumstances surrounding his departure are a point of contention, with Daltrey and Pete Townshend asserting that Starkey’s mistake during a performance at the Royal Albert Hall in April was the reason for his dismissal. In contrast, Starkey claims that the error was actually on Daltrey’s part.

Initially, the band stated that Starkey had voluntarily left due to prior commitments, but Starkey refuted this claim, stating that he was coerced into agreeing with the statement and did not wish to depart from the group. Starkey attributed the onstage glitch to poor preparation and inadequate rehearsal, resulting in a mistimed entrance during the performance of “The Song is Over”. He pointed out that he had played his part correctly, but Daltrey had come in too early.

In response to Starkey’s remarks, Daltrey expressed his dismay, describing them as a “character assassination” and highly distressing. He clarified that the conflict stemmed from issues related to the band’s use of electronic drums, which he could only hear through in-ear monitors. Daltrey explained that the sound of the drums, controlled by an offstage technician, had excessive sub-bass that hindered his ability to pitch correctly. Consequently, when he gestured towards Starkey during the performance, it was out of frustration with the sound quality rather than an attack on the drummer.

Daltrey emphasized that both he and Townshend are integral to The Who, asserting their right to be considered the core members of the band. He likened other musicians who have played with them to session players, maintaining that the essence of The Who cannot be replicated or replaced. Despite attempts to reintegrate Starkey into the group after his initial dismissal, tensions persisted, leading to his subsequent removal and replacement by Scott Devours.

Starkey, in his own reflections on the situation, expressed uncertainty about the band’s dynamics and the unpredictability that characterizes The Who. He acknowledged the group’s tendency towards friction and described them as a family with a penchant for abrupt changes and conflicts, attributing the band’s allure to its enigmatic and tumultuous nature.