"Roger Daltrey expresses disappointment over Zak Starkey's response to his dismissal from The Who, labeling it a damaging personal attack"
Roger Daltrey, the frontman of the iconic rock band The Who, addressed the turbulent departure of drummer Zak Starkey in a recent interview with The Times. The conflict between the two musicians has been a topic of discussion since Starkey's departure in 2025.
The immediate cause of the conflict was an onstage incident during a performance at the Royal Albert Hall. Daltrey, who has hearing issues, accused Starkey of playing too loudly and improper timing, which allegedly led to Daltrey losing his place and stopping the song early. Starkey disputed this, stating that poor planning and under-rehearsal were the real issues. He claimed he was fired rather than quitting voluntarily.
However, the underlying issues between Daltrey and Starkey went beyond this single incident. There were communication problems, disagreements over rehearsal quality, and performance practices, including the use of electronic drums heard through in-ear monitors. These factors contributed to the tensions that ultimately led to Starkey's exit.
The departure was initially described by the band as a retirement to work on other projects, but Starkey refuted this, stating he was asked to make a false statement saying he quit, which he refused to do. He indicated there were ongoing communication issues and private conflicts that were aired but not fully resolved, leading to his exit.
Daltrey described Starkey’s public remarks after the firing as a "character assassination" and was reportedly very upset by them. The conflict seemed to revolve around differing views on the band's rehearsal and performance practices.
According to Daltrey, the problems began when he heard electronic drums in his in-ear monitors. He claimed that he was pointing to the bass drum and screaming because he couldn't pitch due to excessive sub-bass on the sound of the drums.
Daltrey did not provide specific reasons for why Starkey was sacked, reinstated, and then sacked again. He stated that Pete Townshend and he retain the right to be The Who. Townshend, elsewhere, expressed concern about Daltrey's difficulties and advised caution in his comments about Daltrey due to his reactions.
In addition to the drummer drama, Daltrey also revealed that he has been dealing with health issues since contracting meningitis in 2016. He mentioned that he has incurable macular degeneration, which has affected his sight, and that meningitis has caused damage to his internal thermometer. Daltrey expressed nervousness about making it to the end of the tour due to potential health issues.
Despite these challenges, Daltrey hinted at a desire to branch out within The Who. He mentioned that everyone else in the band is a session player, implying a desire for more input and control.
This complex saga within The Who continues to unfold, with both Daltrey and Starkey maintaining their respective positions. As the band prepares for future performances, fans and music enthusiasts eagerly await further developments.
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