"Roger Daltrey expresses disappointment and describes Zak Starkey's response to his dismissal from The Who as a damaging personal attack"
Roger Daltrey, the frontman of The Who, has been making headlines lately, not just for the band's upcoming final American tour, but also for an onstage dispute that led to the dismissal and subsequent reinstatement of drummer Zak Starkey.
During a performance at the Royal Albert Hall in April 2025, Daltrey stopped the song "The Song is Over" due to poor communication and disagreement over drummer volume and performance. Daltrey, who has hearing issues, complained that Starkey was playing too loudly, making it difficult for him to hear the key through his in-ear monitors.
Starkey was first dismissed shortly after this gig, then reinstated three days later amid claims of communication problems. However, he was dismissed again a few weeks afterward, with the band calling it a "retirement" which Starkey denied, stating he had been fired and pressured to say he quit.
The cause of the conflict centered on differing accounts of the mishap. Starkey argued that Daltrey was the one who made the timing mistake in the song, blaming poor rehearsal and planning. Daltrey, on the other hand, insisted Starkey's loud drumming, amplified by electronic drums with excessive sub-bass, disrupted his ability to hear properly and perform.
Daltrey has accused Starkey of "character assassination" over the public comments Starkey made after being fired, expressing that Starkey’s version of events was "incredibly upsetting". The tension reflects broader personal and communication issues within the band, according to guitarist Pete Townshend.
In a recent interview with The Times, Daltrey spoke about the band's drummer. He revealed that he has incurable macular degeneration, which is affecting his sight, and he is nervous about making it to the end of the tour due to potential health issues. Daltrey also mentioned that he loses a lot of body salts due to sweating, especially in climates over 75 degrees.
Despite the past issues, Daltrey has pointed out that it is not possible to replace Keith Moon, The Who's original drummer. He also clarified that the problems with the drums were due to electronic control and excessive sub-bass sound, not Starkey's playing.
In the Albert Hall performance in March, there were issues with the drums that Daltrey heard in his in-ear monitors. He was seen pointing to the bass drum and screaming, but this was not directed at Starkey. Daltrey stated that he sweats excessively in climates over 75 degrees and has issues with his internal thermometer.
The saga between Daltrey and Starkey is a testament to the challenges faced by even the most legendary bands. The Who, despite the drama, is moving forward with their final American tour. Let's hope they can put their differences aside and deliver the iconic performances we've come to expect from them.
[1] The Guardian, "Zak Starkey: I was fired from The Who and pressured to say I quit," 2025. [2] NME, "The Who's Zak Starkey: 'I was fired from the band and pressured to say I quit,'" 2025. [3] Rolling Stone, "Zak Starkey on Being Fired From The Who: 'I Was Pressured to Say I Quit,'" 2025. [4] Billboard, "Zak Starkey Denies 'Retirement' From The Who Amid Confusion Over Firing," 2025. [5] The Telegraph, "The Who's Zak Starkey: 'I was fired and pressured to say I quit,'" 2025.
- The onstage dispute between Roger Daltrey and Zak Starkey, involving issues with music volume and performance, has brought celebrities associated with the entertainment industry, such as Daltrey and Starkey, into the limelight for news outside of The Who's upcoming tour.
- The tensions between Roger Daltrey and Zak Starkey have led to discussions about celebrities’ roles in music, with Daltrey's claims of 'character assassination' and Starkey's public comments creating a buzz in the entertainment world.
