Former The Who drummer Zak Starkey has opened up about his departure from the band, offering a calm and reflective account of how the situation unfolded. Speaking in a recent interview with Q1043 New York, Starkey said there was no personal fallout, describing the split as confusing but ultimately “just band business.”
When asked about the process of being fired from The Who, Zak Starkey shared his perspective. He said, “I’d like to say that we remained friends throughout. I spoke with Roger Daltrey about two weeks ago on the phone. We never actually became enemies or anything. I think they just wanted to change, then they didn’t, and then they did again. It was pretty confusing. I think they’re still confused, and I’m still confused.”
He continued, “But I don’t really want to bury a friendship. I’ve been working with Roger on and off since I was 17. I worked with John Entwistle from an even younger age. I was in The Who for 29 years, and I wouldn’t end a friendship over it. It’s just band business. I have nothing against the drummer they’re using now. He’s great, too. I have nothing against them, you know.”
Starkey also reflected on the band’s current status. He said, “As far as I know, they’re done. But I would have liked to finish it off, you know. I don’t hold a grudge, really, because they’re my friends, and we’ve been friends for such a long time.”
Starkey’s comments follow his recent public response to remarks made by Roger Daltrey, who described the drummer’s exit as a “character assassination” in an interview with The Times. In a statement shared on Instagram, Zak Starkey disputed what he called inaccurate reports surrounding his departure from The Who, insisting there was no onstage conflict and no personal fallout.
“This is bloody everywhere and I didn’t make any nasty comments about Roger when I got fired,” Starkey explained. “I think it’s about the public comments about Roger on my Instagram – which I have taken down.”
“And I didn’t think Roger was having a go at me on stage because he was shouting into a special microphone that he only uses to communicate with the sound guy,” he said. “There was no conflict and no argument before the show or after as I was in my car on my way home before Pete and Roger had finished the last song ‘Tea and Theatre’ which is an acoustic duet and doesn’t feature any of the band.”
“I thought the gig was ok. I had no idea about getting fired or any problems at all until a week after the show,” Starkey added. “So either the times misunderstood or… confusion reigns O’er me and everyone else! I thought this had blown over.”
Despite the public back-and-forth, Starkey emphasized that he holds no grudges, reaffirming his respect for Daltrey and describing the situation as ongoing confusion rather than animosity, bringing an end to his nearly 30-year run with the band.
