The Who’s Roger Daltrey Clarifies Zak Starkey’s Firing, Calls His Comments ‘Character Assassination’

Roger Daltrey, the lead singer of The Who, has clarified the circumstances surrounding the departure of drummer Zak Starkey, labeling recent comments as ‘character assassination’. In a recent interview, Daltrey shed light on the events leading up to Starkey’s exit from the iconic rock band, addressing a miscommunication that arose during a concert at the Royal Albert Hall back in March. The 81-year-old singer explained that issues with Starkey, who is 59, stemmed from a technical glitch with the sound equipment, rather than any personal grievances.

According to Daltrey, there was confusion regarding the in-ear monitor levels during the performance, causing him to have difficulty hearing the drums. This led to a situation where Daltrey appeared to be directing frustration towards Starkey, when in reality, it was a technical issue. Daltrey emphasised that the reports of discord between him and Starkey were greatly exaggerated, describing Starkey’s account of the incident as a ‘character assassination’ and distressing to him personally.

The ongoing saga between Daltrey and Starkey unfolded publicly after Starkey initially announced his departure from The Who in April, following almost 30 years with the band. Despite Starkey’s statement alluding to a performance-related issue, The Who’s representative expressed admiration for Starkey and wished him well in his future endeavours. However, conflicting statements emerged from both parties, with guitarist Pete Townshend hinting at unresolved communication issues that needed to be addressed.

In a series of social media posts, Starkey clarified that he was not fired but rather ‘retired’ to focus on his own musical projects. He expressed gratitude towards Daltrey and Townshend, highlighting their continued friendship despite the professional parting of ways. The drummer’s account of the situation painted a picture of miscommunication and confusion, emphasising the amicable nature of his departure from the band.

The back-and-forth between Starkey and The Who continued as Townshend later confirmed that Starkey was indeed leaving the band, citing the need for a change after many years of collaboration. Starkey, however, maintained that he was fired and rejected claims that he had voluntarily quit. These conflicting narratives underscored the complexity of the situation and the challenges faced by both parties in communicating their respective positions to the public.

As the dust settles on this chapter in The Who’s history, the departure of Zak Starkey raises questions about the dynamics within the band and the challenges of sustaining long-term collaborations in the music industry. The conflicting accounts and emotional undertones surrounding Starkey’s exit serve as a reminder of the human elements at play behind the scenes of iconic rock bands. Despite the disagreements and miscommunications, both Daltrey and Starkey expressed mutual respect and appreciation for their shared musical journey, leaving fans and observers with a sense of nostalgia and contemplation.