In April 2025, The Who experienced a brief but intense internal conflict involving their longtime drummer, Zak Starkey. Starkey, who has been with the band since 1996 and is the son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, was reportedly dismissed following a performance at the Royal Albert Hall for the Teenage Cancer Trust. During the show, frontman Roger Daltrey expressed frustration on stage, stating he couldn’t hear the key due to the overpowering drums, leading to the band’s announcement of parting ways with Starkey.
However, just days later, guitarist Pete Townshend addressed the situation, attributing the incident to communication issues and personal misunderstandings within the group. He acknowledged his own role in the confusion, noting that Zak’s recent knee surgery and inadequate sound checks contributed to on-stage difficulties. Townshend emphasized that both he and Daltrey asked Starkey to adjust his drumming style to better suit the band’s current setup, and Starkey agreed.
Starkey expressed gratitude for being welcomed back into the band, stating, “V grateful to be a part of the Who family. Thanks Roger and Pete.” The band reaffirmed their unity and positive outlook moving forward, with Townshend concluding, “We are a family, this blew up very quickly and got too much oxygen. It’s over. We move forward now with optimism and fire in our bellies.”
In the interim, Starkey released a previously unheard 2017 cover of T. Rex’s “Children Of The Revolution,” featuring notable artists like Axl Rose, Slash, Duff McKagan, Ringo Starr, and Elton John, intended for a yet-unreleased charity album benefiting teenage cancer.
This episode highlights the complexities of long-standing musical collaborations and the importance of communication in maintaining harmony within a band.