The Who vs The Beatles is not the music beef we anticipated in 2025, but apparently, Ringo Starr isn’t a big fan of ‘little man’ Roger Daltrey.
In April, confusion arose when the Hey Jude icon’s son – drummer Zak Starkey – was seemingly fired and then rehired.
Zak, who is also the godson of original Who drummer Keith Moon, was part of the band for 29 years but tensions backstage appear to have caused a rift.
Now, the 59-year-old drummer has revealed exactly what his dad thinks of the Baba O’Riley legends after the whole (bizarre) debacle.
‘I’ve never liked the way that little man runs that band,’ was Ringo’s assessment, seemingly of Roger, according to Zak.
The back and forth has left fans’ – and clearly, the drummer’s – heads spinning after various contradicting statements about whether or not he had been fired.
In the interview with Rolling Stone, Zak revealed he actually spoke to the Pinball Wizard hitmaker the week before the interview.
‘He said, “Don’t take your drums out of the warehouse, we might be calling you”. What the f**k?’ said the exasperated former Oasis drummer.
‘These guys are f**kin’ insane! I’ve been fired more times than Keith Moon in 10 days.’
The Who’s team declined to comment when Metro reached out.
Days before the potential sacking was made public, Roger seemed to kick off at Zak on stage in a moment which was filmed by Metro.
During hit song Can You See The Real Me, he stopped singing and guitarist Pete Townshend was forced to fill in for him.
After seemingly refusing to continue and putting his head in his hands, the frontman said: ‘We’ve got a big problem up here. I can sing to some things, but I can’t sing to that f***ing racket.’
‘To sing that song I do need to hear the key, and I can’t,’ he said later in the gig. ‘All I’ve got is drums going boom, boom, boom. I can’t sing to that. I’m sorry guys.’
Weeks later, a statement was posted which said the band had made a ‘collective decision to part ways’ with Zak.
They added: ‘They have nothing but admiration for him and wish him the very best for his future.’
In return, Zak issued a very amicable statement in which he said: ‘Filling the shoes of my Godfather, “uncle Keith” has been the biggest honour and I remain their biggest fan.
‘They’ve been like family to me. In January, I suffered a serious medical emergency with blood clots in my right bass drum calf. This is now completely healed and does not affect my drumming or running.
‘After playing those songs with the band for so many decades, I’m surprised and saddened anyone would have an issue with my performance that night, but what can you do?
‘Twenty-nine years at any job is a good old run, and I wish them the best.’
However, Zak then suggested on his social media that Roger was ‘unhappy’ with his performances at the Royal Albert Hall.
Pete then clarified that Zak was ‘not being asked to step down’, despite the drummer issuing a statement to the contrary.
The entire saga has been deeply confusing for fans, as Zak has been a near constant presence with The Who for almost three decades.
The Who’s website described him as the band’s ‘”unofficial” official drummer’ having performed with them again on many tours, as well as at the London 2012 Olympics, and at the 2010 Super Bowl.
It’s unclear whether Zak is planning to rejoin the group or not, especially with an Oasis tour around the corner, which could be looking for a drummer.
However, a source previously told NME that the lineup would see American musician Joey Waronker on drums – no Tony McCarroll or Alan White in sight.
Zak drummed for the band in the mid-00s, while still being called upon for Who recording sessions.
He left in 2008, the year before Oasis’ fateful fallout, which tore apart the Gallagher brothers until now.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
