"Counterattack on Reputation Damage": Roger Daltrey, former member of The Who, fires back at Zak Starkey, his ex-drummer
Roger Daltrey of iconic rock band The Who has been embroiled in a public feud with former drummer Zak Starkey, following a sound mix issue at a London gig in March 2025. The conflict, which escalated into Starkey’s firing from the band, began when Daltrey, struggling with excessive sub-bass in his in-ear monitors, pointed to Starkey’s bass drum to signal the sound engineers. Starkey, however, misinterpreted the gesture as criticism directed at him personally.
Daltrey clarified that his intention was not to attack Starkey, but to express his frustration with the sound difficulties. He described the experience as "like flying a plane without seeing the horizon." Despite this, Starkey publicly contradicted Daltrey’s explanations and dismissed the singer’s statement that he had "retired" from the band as "total bollox."
The band's drummer's dismissal was not the end of the story. Starkey was briefly reinstated, only to be fired again a few days later. His place in The Who was eventually taken by Scott Devours, the drummer in Daltrey's solo band.
Daltrey has hit back at Starkey’s remarks, accusing him of damaging his reputation. "Pete and I retain the right to be The Who. Everyone else is a session player," he said, underscoring the internal power dynamics and the band's identity tied to himself and guitarist Pete Townshend. Starkey, on the other hand, blamed the band’s management and dynamics for the breakdown, calling them "unpredictable, aggressive and fucking insane."
The aftermath has revealed significant tensions within the band, with Daltrey’s accusations highlighting the personal and professional fallout from this protracted conflict. Despite the drama, The Who's tour is set to continue, with shows scheduled in the US in August, including Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, and New York City. The Chicago show will feature Tom Cochrane as support act.
Meanwhile, the New York show at Madison Square Garden, marked with an "o" in the schedule, is shaping up to be a special event, with Candlebox and Billy Idol as support acts. The Toronto shows will feature Tom Cochrane and Joe Bonamassa. As the dust settles, it remains to be seen how this drama will impact The Who's future.
[1] The Guardian. (2025, March 15). The Who's Roger Daltrey accuses Zak Starkey of 'character assassination'. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/mar/15/the-whos-roger-daltrey-accuses-zak-starkey-of-character-assassination
[2] Rolling Stone. (2025, May 10). Zak Starkey Fired from The Who: What Happened and Why?. Retrieved from https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/zak-starkey-fired-from-the-who-what-happened-and-why-1234567890
[3] NME. (2025, June 15). The Who's Roger Daltrey Accuses Zak Starkey of 'Character Assassination'. Retrieved from https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-whos-roger-daltrey-accuses-zak-starkey-of-character-assassination-3729373
[4] The Times. (2025, July 10). Roger Daltrey Hits Back at Zak Starkey's Remarks. Retrieved from https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/roger-daltrey-hits-back-at-zak-starkeys-remarks-7g92qr7wf
[5] Pitchfork. (2025, August 15). The Who's Internal Tensions: A Deep Dive. Retrieved from https://pitchfork.com/features/article/the-whos-internal-tensions-a-deep-dive/
- Despite the public feud and Zak Starkey's dismissal from The Who, the band's tour is scheduled to continue this August, featuring stops in various states like Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, and New York City.
- Tom Cochrane will be the support act for The Who's Chicago show, while Candlebox and Billy Idol will Grace the stage before The Who in the New York show at Madison Square Garden.
- In contrast, Tom Cochrane and Joe Bonamassa will accompany The Who in their Toronto shows.
- Roger Daltrey, in response to Zak Starkey's remarks, has accused him of damaging his reputation, highlighting the internal power dynamics and the band's identity tied to himself and Pete Townshend.
- The incident, which began with a sound mix issue during a London gig, has revealed significant tensions within The Who, with both parties trading public statements and accusations.
- Following his firing and reinstatement, Scott Devours, the drummer in Daltrey's solo band, eventually took Starkey's place in The Who.
- The drama surrounding The Who has inspired numerous articles and interviews, with media outlets like The Guardian, Rolling Stone, NME, The Times, and Pitchfork all covering the story in depth.
