Credits: Zac Starkey via Instagram
Fri 19 December 2025 16:36, UK
Zak Starkey has lifted the lid on his complicated exit from The Who, confirming that he remains friends with Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend.
The Who wrapped up their live career in October when their lengthy North American farewell tour came to a conclusion. For their final jaunt, Scott Devours was behind the drum kit instead of Starkey, who had served with the legendary group for 29 years.
Starkey’s complicated exit from the band, who he joined in 1996, is linked to the band’s performance at the Royal Albert Hall earlier this year at a charity show for the Teenage Cancer Trust. The longstanding member was initially fired, before being rehired, and eventually, fired again within a matter of weeks.
At the time of his dismissal, Starkey said on Instagram, “I was fired two weeks after reinstatement and asked to make a statement saying I had quit The Who to pursue my other musical endevours this would be a lie.” He added in the same post: “I love The Who and would never had quit. So I didn’t make the statement.”
Additionally, he revealed that his father, Ringo Starr, “wasn’t happy” with how it was handled and described Daltrey as a “little man”.
Daltrey also fired back at Starkey’s comments, stating, “It was kind of a character assassination and it was incredibly upsetting.”
Thankfully, the back-and-forths don’t appear to have damaged their friendship. In a new interview with radio station Q1043 New York, Starkey said, “I’d like to say that we remained friends throughout, I spoke to Roger like two weeks ago. We spoke on the phone, and never became enemies or anything.”
He added with a chuckle, “I think they just wanted a change, then they didn’t, then they did, then they didn’t, then they did, then they didn’t, then they did.”
Starkey then described that both parties find the ordeal “confusing”, but doesn’t want that to ruin their friendship. After noting he first played with Daltrey as a 17-year-old, he said, “I was in The Who for 29 years and I wouldn’t bury a friendship over it. It’s just band business.”
However, he did share regret at not being involved in their last shows, conceding, “As far as I know they’re done, I’d like to have finished it off, but I didn’t, and I don’t hold a grudge, really, because they’re my friends and have been my friends for so long.”
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