Zak Starkey has revealed his father Ringo Starr’s thoughts following his dismissal from The Who. He shared details about the Beatles drummer’s reaction in an interview with Rolling Stone.
The drummer discussed his father’s support and advice regarding the situation with The Who.
“I’m very proud of him [his father, Ringo Starr] standing up for me,” Zak Starkey said. “[When asked for an advice about the Who situation] He said, ‘I’ve never liked the way that little man [referring to Roger Daltrey] runs that band’.”
Ringo Starr’s criticism of Daltrey’s leadership reflects a broader pattern of tensions that have characterized The Who throughout their career.
Wikipedia reported that Daltrey himself was briefly fired from The Who in 1965 after a physical altercation with drummer Keith Moon. He was quickly reinstated on probation. This early incident established a precedent for the band’s volatile internal dynamics and Daltrey’s sometimes confrontational management approach.
The Who’s history has been marked by significant management challenges beyond interpersonal conflicts. Ultimate Guitar documented that the band frequently struggled with financial mismanagement by their team. They often returned from tours in debt despite their massive success.
Daltrey’s role extended beyond vocals to include creative input in the band’s development. Factinate noted that one of their notable early collaborations was on the single “Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere.” This marked Daltrey’s growing influence alongside Pete Townshend’s songwriting.
The financial pressures and management issues required Daltrey to take a more hands-on approach to the band’s operations. Business Journals revealed that unlike some other band members, Daltrey had to manage his finances carefully. This was due to the ongoing financial instability that plagued the group throughout their career.
The comments reveal the Beatles legend’s candid opinion about The Who’s frontman and his management style within the band.
