"Roger Daltrey expresses his displeasure and finds Zak Starkey's response to his dismissal from The Who to be highly distressing"
In a candid interview with The Times, Roger Daltrey, the iconic frontman of The Who, opened up about a long-standing conflict within the band, specifically involving Zak Starkey, son of the late drumming legend, Ringo Starr.
Daltrey, who has been struggling with health issues since contracting meningitis in 2016, admitted that he's finding things difficult and has to be careful with his words about Starkey, as he gets angry. He claimed that replacing Keith Moon, the band's original drummer, is impossible.
The issue between Daltrey and Starkey stems from their performance at the Albert Hall in March, where Daltrey claims problems began due to electronic drums. Daltrey accused Starkey of "character assassination" and said he couldn't pitch the drums because of excessive sub-bass in the sound. He also mentioned that his sight is not good, which further complicates his performance.
Starkey, on the other hand, claimed that Daltrey came in a bar too early during the performance and disputed Daltrey's account of the incident. He contested that it was actually Daltrey who had come in early and that poor rehearsal planning contributed to the confusion.
Pete Townshend, another member of The Who, weighed in on the matter, stating that Daltrey was finding things difficult and that he has to be careful with what he says about Daltrey because he gets angry. He also reiterated that Daltrey and he retain the right to be The Who.
Daltrey addressed several topics in the interview, including his upcoming knighthood, The Who's final American tour, and his deteriorating eyesight. He disclosed that he has incurable macular degeneration and that singing in hot climates causes him to wring with sweat, which drains his body salts.
Despite the ongoing conflict, The Who is set to embark on their final American tour, promising to deliver the iconic sound that has made them a staple in the music industry for over five decades.
[1] The Guardian [2] NME [3] Rolling Stone [4] Pitchfork [5] Billboard
- The ongoing conflict between Roger Daltrey and Zak Starkey, along with the debate over the use of electronic drums in The Who's performances, has become a hot topic in pop-culture and music discussions of late, with mainstream entertainment outlets like The Guardian, NME, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and Billboard covering the story extensively.
- Despite their personal disagreements, Roger Daltrey and Zak Starkey, both celebrities in their own right as members of the iconic band The Who, will continue to work together on their final American tour, showcasing their unparalleled talent and contribution to pop-culture and the music industry over the past five decades.
