Ringo Starr apparently has some strong feelings about how Roger Daltrey runs The Who

17 June 2025, 14:00

Ringo Starr, Zak Starkey and Roger Daltrey
Ringo Starr, Zak Starkey and Roger Daltrey. Picture: Alamy

By Mayer Nissim

Ringo Starr seems to take a swipe at Roger Daltrey, according to his son Zak Starkey,

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Zak Starkey's hokey-cokey situation with The Who (in, out, in, out... possibly back in again) has been grabbing plenty of attention recently.

The band are gearing up for what is being billed as a farewell tour, but instead of sticking with long-standing drummer Zak, the band will be playing with newcomer Scott Devours.

Rather than moving on with the usual platitudes, as Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend have attempted to do, Zak has been very clear that he has been fired by the band.

He has hit back in a series of social media posts and has now given a wide-ranging interview with Rolling Stone to unpick exactly what happened.

Zak was clearly in a quirky mood when he sat down to chat. The first question he was asked about The Who "was it tougher to please Roger or please Pete?"

Zak Starkey playing with The Who
Zak Starkey playing with The Who. Picture: Alamy

"Financially, philosophically, or sexually?" he replied.

During the interview, Starkey revealed that he is still in touch with his now-former bandmates and didn't rule out a comeback.

"I spoke to Roger last week," Zak said. "He said, 'Don't take your drums out of the warehouse, we might be calling you.'

"What the f**k? These guys are f**kin' insane! I've been fired more times than Keith Moon in ten days."

Ringo, his then-wife Maureen and their new baby Zak in September 1965
Ringo, his then-wife Maureen and their new baby Zak in September 1965. Picture: Alamy

And after going through all the comings and goings with Townshend and Daltrey, Zak expressed his pleasure that his dad Ringo Starr had backed him.

"I'm very proud of him standing up for me," Zak said, before revealing that Starr isn't the biggest fan of the way Daltrey seems to control things in The Who.

"He said, 'I've never liked the way that little man runs that band'."

Meanwhile, Zak Starkey's own band Mantra of the Cosmos have teased a new song featuring the Sean Ono Lennon, the son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and James McCartney, the son of Paul and Linda McCartney.

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