
The Who’s Roger Daltrey Calls Zak Starkey Criticism ‘Incredibly Upsetting’
Jon Blistein
created: Aug. 4, 2025, 1:59 p.m. | updated: Aug. 4, 2025, 6:38 p.m.
The Who’s Roger Daltrey said the comments Zak Starkey made about him following his tumultuous ouster from the band were “incredibly upsetting.” The singer also offered a slightly new version of the events that led to the drummer’s exit in a recent interview with The Times.
Starkey (who is Ringo Starr’s son) spent nearly 30 years drumming for the Who, up until this spring when he was fired, re-hired, then fired for good.
The turmoil dates back to a somewhat sloppy performance at a charity show at London’s Royal Albert Hall in March.
Daltrey has accused Starkey of playing too loudly and making mistakes.
So when Zak thought I was having a go at him, I wasn’t.
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