Latest news with #Starkey
New York Post
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Ringo Starr trashes ‘little man' Roger Daltrey for firing son Zak Starkey from The Who
Not letting it be. In a new interview with Rolling Stone, Starr's son, Zak Starkey, revealed how his famous father, Ringo Starr, stuck up for him after he was fired from The Who by frontman Roger Daltrey. 'I'm very proud of him standing up for me,' said Starkey, 59. Advertisement 8 Zak Starkey and Ringo Starr at The Box in London in 2016. David M. Benett When asked how the 84-year-old Beatles legend reacted, Starkey replied: 'He said, 'I've never liked the way that little man runs that band.'' Starr appeared to be referring to Daltrey, who had an alleged altercation with Starkey that led to his exit from the band. Advertisement 8 Ringo Starr with his wife Maureen and their baby son Zak in 1965. Getty Images 8 Ringo Starr, Zak Starkey in 1992. Getty Images In April, it was announced that Starkey was leaving The Who after performing with the group for almost 30 years. But Starkey was quickly rehired by The Who, only to be let go from the band, again, in May. 'After many years of great work on drums from Zak the time has come for a change,' guitarist Pete Townshend wrote via Instagram on May 18. 'A poignant time. Zak has lots of new projects in hand and I wish him the best.' Advertisement 8 Roger Daltrey, Zak Starkey and Pete Townshend of The Who perform in Las Vegas in 2017. Getty Images In the Rolling Stone interview, Starkey gave more context into his firing, which happened after his bandmates were unhappy with his performance at London's Royal Albert Hall in late March. 't was all a bit vague. It was just like, 'You're getting fired,'' Starkey claimed. 'And Pete had to hang in there with Rog because I think it was…I don't know. I'm not going to name names or who did what. But Pete called me and said, 'Are you strong enough to fight for your job back?' I said, 'I'm not strong enough to have you do it for me. I don't want you doing it.'' 8 Zak Starkey and Roger Daltrey of The Who perform in California in 2004. Getty Images Advertisement Starkey said that Townshend, 80, called him a week later and asked him to rejoin the group. 'I got my job back. And then 10 days later, I got a call saying 'It's never going to work. We want you to put out a statement saying you're moving on to do your own thing,'' Starkey explained. 'And I said, 'But I'm f—in' not.' So I just left it and didn't do it. It would be a lie. I'd never leave the Who. I love the Who.' 8 Ringo Starr, Zak Starkey in 1992. Getty Images 8 Roger Daltrey talks to Peter Frampton and Zak Starkey in 1998. AFP via Getty Images Despite his double firings and The Who announcing that drummer Scott Devours will replace Starkey on the band's upcoming farewell tour, Starkey said that he's still unsure where he stands with the group. 'I spoke to Roger last week,' Starkey told Rolling Stone. 'He said, 'Don't take your drums out of the warehouse, we might be calling you.' What the f–k? These guys are f–kin' insane!' 8 Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend perform at The Who's residency in Las Vegas in July 2017. Getty Images Advertisement When asked if he blames Daltrey for the drama, Starkey responded, 'I don't blame anyone. I don't hold any grudges. It's the Who. Weirder sh-t than this has gone down. I've heard them say weirder sh-t than this. It's the Who — the maddest band there's ever been.' Starkey also confirmed that he'd 'of course' return to the band again.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Legendary '90s Rocker Gets Candid About Departure From Band
Legendary '90s Rocker Gets Candid About Departure From Band originally appeared on Parade. After a whirlwind month of band drama—Zak Starkey, longtime drummer and son of Beatles legend Ringo Starr—is finally setting the record straight about where he stands with The Who. In a candid new interview with The Telegraph, Starkey, 59, says things took a turn following a rare live performance of "The Song Is Over" at the Teenage Cancer Trust benefit at London's Royal Albert Hall earlier this year. "What happened was I got it right and Roger got it wrong," Starkey said of the musical misstep, claiming that frontman Roger Daltrey came in a bar ahead of schedule during the song. Just a week later, Starkey says he got a call from The Who's longtime manager, Bill Curbishley, ousting him from the group. The alleged reason? "Roger says you dropped some beats," Starkey, who has drummed for both The Who and Oasis, recalls being told. But according to the musician, he's reviewed the tape and didn't hear those missing beats. "Then Pete [Townshend] had to go along with it because Pete's had 60 years of arguing with Roger," he added of the alleged incident. The drama with the band didn't stop there, however, with Starkey revealing that he briefly rejoined the group, but only after being pressured to accept blame for the onstage snafu—and spoiler alert, the reunion didn't last long. "It became clear Roger couldn't work with me," he shared. "I don't blame anyone. I blame The Who, because they're unpredictable, aggressive and f--king insane." Even still, Starkey isn't ruling out a return to the group, especially after he says Daltrey, 81, told him to keep his drums on standby. "Don't take your drums out of [The Who's] warehouse yet in case we need you," Starkey says Daltrey told him, with him urging the frontman to let him know should The Who have a change of heart. For now, drummer Scott Devours has taken over, as The Who gears up for their The Song Is Over farewell U.S. tour, kicking off August 16 in Sunrise, Florida. The tour will run through September 28, capping off in Las Vegas, Nevada at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Legendary '90s Rocker Gets Candid About Departure From Band first appeared on Parade on Jun 16, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Post
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Three of the Beatles' members sons are teaming up for the first time to release a new song together
Here comes the sons. Three of the Beatles' children have united on a new song. Ringo Starr's son, Zak Starkey, confirmed that John Lennon's son, Sean Ono Lennon, and Paul McCartney's son, James McCartney, provided vocals on his supergroup Mantra of the Cosmos' upcoming single 'Rip Off.' 12 Zak Starkey attends the Manta Of The Cosmos' performance at The Box in London in June 2023.12 James McCartney attends a photography exhibition in London in May Claridge's ArtSpace 12 Sean Ono Lennon attends the 2025 Grammy The Recording Academy Starkey, 59, shared a clip of the rock song via Instagram on Sunday. Shaun Ryder of Happy Mondays also provided vocals on the track. George Harrison is the only Beatles member who doesn't have any children working on the song. The late star had one son, Dhani Harrison, who is also a musician. 12 Zak Starkey shares a clip of his new song with Sean Ono Lennon and James McCartney. therealzakstarkey/Instagram 12 Zak Starkey made 'Rip Off' with two other Beatles' children. therealzakstarkey/Instagram In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Starkey denied that his collaboration with Sean, 49, and James, 47, was like a mini-Beatles reunion. 'It's like Mantra of the Cosmos with them in it,' Starkey stated. 'It's Sean of the Cosmos and James of the Cosmos, it's still my band.' 12 Ringo Starr in 1963. Bettmann Archive 12 Paul McCartney in 1963. Bettmann Archive 12 John Lennon in 1963. Bettmann Archive When the interviewer mentioned Starkey just needs Dhani, 46, for the whole gang to be together, Starkey responded, 'No I don't. Why do I?' The last time the Beatles' offspring worked together was when James and Sean came out with the song 'Primrose Hill' in 2024. 12 The Beatles in 1963. Getty Images 'Primrose Hill' is here! Today I am so very excited to share my latest song co-written by my good friend @sean_ono_lennon,' James wrote on Instagram at the time, alongside a selfie of the pair. 'With the release of this song it feels like we're really getting the ball rolling and I am so excited to continue to share music with you.' Back in 2012, James spoke to the BBC about the possibility of forming a music group with Starkey, Sean and Dhani. 12 Paul and James McCartney attend the book launch and private view of 'Mary McCartney: Monochrome And Colour' in 2014. David M. Benett 'I don't think it's something that Zak wants to do,' James said. 'Maybe [Ringo Starr's son] Jason [Starkey] would want to do it. I'd be up for it. Sean seemed to be into it, Dhani seemed to be into it. I'd be happy to do it.' James then said that the supergroup had been 'mooted' but was still hopeful it could happen. 12 Paul McCartney with his son James leave 'Late Show with David Letterman' in NYC in 2013. Getty Images 'Yeah, hopefully, naturally. I don't know, you'd have to wait and see,' he teased. 'The will of God, nature's support, I guess. So yeah, maybe.' Starkey has recently made headlines for being fired twice from the band The Who. The drummer told The Telegraph that he was kicked out of the group after an alleged altercation with lead singer Roger Daltrey. He also alleged that he turned down the offer to tour with Oasis for The Who. 12 Zak Starkey and Ringo Starr attend an event at The Vox in London in 2016. David M. Benett But Starkey hinted in the interview that he might return to The Who. 'I spoke to Roger last week and he said, 'Don't take your drums out of [The Who's] warehouse yet in case we need you,'' Starkey said. 'I said, 'Best let me know.''
New York Post
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Ringo Starr's son Zak Starkey reveals alleged altercation with The Who's Roger Daltrey got him fired
Zak Starkey can explain. The Who's former drummer, 59, addressed his shocking exit from the band in a new interview with The Telegraph published on Monday, June 16, and shed some light on what allegedly led to his firing. In April, The Who announced they were parting ways with Starkey — who is Ringo Starr's son — following two shows at Royal Albert Hall in the UK, which saw the likes of Bill Murray, Sadie Frost, Tracy-Ann Oberman, and famed hypnotist Paul McKenna, in attendance. Advertisement 9 Zak Starkey has addressed his shocking exit from The Who after almost 30 years. Getty Images 9 Starkey claims he was kicked out following an alleged altercation with The Who's lead singer, Roger Daltrey. Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame However, days later, Pete Townshend revealed that Starkey would stay in the group despite 'some communication issues.' Advertisement All that changed in May when Starkey once again announced he was ousted from the Grammy-nominated rock band, marking his second firing in one month. Now, he claims he was kicked out following an alleged altercation with The Who's lead singer, Roger Daltrey. 9 'What happened was I got it right and Roger [Daltrey] got it wrong,' Starkey explained. WireImage 'What happened was I got it right and Roger [Daltrey] got it wrong,' Starkey told The Telegraph, referring to the rare performance of 'The Song Is Over' at London's Royal Albert Hall. Advertisement After his second firing, it was alleged that Starkey's bandmates weren't happy with his performance at the event. But, the drummer claims it wasn't his performance that was lacking. 9 Starkey with his father, Ringo Starr, in London in September 2016. David M. Benett Starkey told the outlet that The Who band members 'hate rehearsing,' noting they rarely perform their 6-minute-long 1971 hit 'The Song Is Over.' Advertisement According to Starkey, Daltrey 'took a bit out' for the show. 'Roger [came] in a bar early,' he told the outlet. Starkey also claimed that one week later, the band's manager, Bill Curbishley, called to fire him. 9 Daltrey, Starkey and Pete Townshend of The Who performing at the Super Bowl XLIV Halftime Show at the Sun Life Stadium on February 7, 2010, in Miami Gardens, Fla. WireImage 'He says, 'It's my unfortunate duty to inform you' — it's like Porridge or something — 'that you won't be needed from now on. Roger says you dropped some beats,'' he alleged. Starkey watched the performance but said, 'I can't find any dropped beats,' claiming, 'Then Pete [Townshend] had to go along with it because Pete's had 60 years of arguing with Roger.' But the drama didn't stop there. 9 'Roger says you dropped some beats,' Starkey was allegedly told when he was fired from The Who. Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Starkey shared that he still wanted back in the band after the alleged feud; however, he was allegedly instructed that he needed to admit that he dropped 'two beats' in the performance. Advertisement 'Two weeks later it was like, 'Roger says he can't work with you no more, and we'd like you to issue another statement saying you're leaving to do your other projects' and I just didn't do it because I wasn't leaving [of my own volition],' Starkey alleged, adding 'they didn't specify' why they fired him the second time. Starkey shockingly doesn't have any hard feelings, telling The Telegraph, 'I don't blame anyone. I blame The Who because they're unpredictable, aggressive and f—— insane,' stating those are reasons he 'loves' the band. 9 'I don't blame anyone,' Starkey said. 'I blame The Who because they're unpredictable, aggressive and f—— insane.'He also hinted that his days of playing with The Who might not be over. Advertisement 'I spoke to Roger last week and he said, 'Don't take your drums out of [The Who's] warehouse yet in case we need you,'' Starkey said. 'I said, 'Best let me know.'' Starkey didn't just expose the alleged altercation that he claimed got him fired. The drummer also alleged that he turned down the offer to tour with Oasis for The Who. The Post reached out to the band's rep for comment. 9 The Who with their original lineup, including drummer Keith Moon and bassist John Entwhistle, in 1965. Michael Ochs Archives Advertisement Townshend was the first to address Starkey's second firing in May. 'After many years of great work on drums from Zak the time has come for a change,' he wrote on Instagram. 'A poignant time. Zak has lots of new projects in hand and I wish him the best.' Starkey immediately hit back with a different story. 9 'After many years of great work on drums from Zak the time has come for a change,' Townshend wrote on Instagram on May 18. 'A poignant time. Zak has lots of new projects in hand and I wish him the best.' Getty Images Advertisement 'I was fired two weeks after reinstatement and asked to make a statement saying I had quit The Who to pursue my other musical endeavors,' the musician said in a lengthy social media rant. 'Not true. I love The Who and would never have quit and let down so many amazing people who stood up for me through this madness.' Starkey claimed that Daltrey told him he wasn't 'fired' from the band for a second time but rather 'retired' and free to work on his own projects. He clarified, 'The lie is or would have been that I quit The Who — i didn't. I love The Who and everyone in it.' Starkey, the son of The Beatles' Ringo Starr, joined The Who in 1996.
Toronto Sun
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Zak Starkey hints at return to ‘f***ing insane' The Who despite being fired twice
The longtime drummer revealed he isn't bitter about the double dismissal and still thinks of his former bandmates as 'family.' Zak Starkey of The Who performs onstage during The Who Hits Back! Tour on May 3, 2022 at Moody Center in Austin, Texas. Photo by Rick Kern / Getty Images for The Who Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Zak Starkey refuses to be played out. The Who drummer was fired after nearly three decades earlier this year but was rehired days later. The English rock group later had a change of heart and cut ties with the longtime musician once again — for good, it seems. But Starkey revealed he isn't bitter about the double dismissal and still thinks of his former bandmates as 'family.' 'I don't blame anyone,' Starkey told the Telegraph . 'I blame The Who because they're unpredictable, aggressive and f***ing insane.' Starkey, son of Beatles legendary drummer Ringo Starr, detailed his side of the conflict between himself and the other band members, namely Roger Daltrey. In March, the band played two concerts for a U.K. cancer charity at the Royal Albert Hall. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. While performing 1971 song 'The Song Is Over,' Daltrey was so unhappy with Starkey's drumming and paused the concert to express to the crowd — and Starkey — his displeasure. 'To sing that song I do need to hear the key, and I can't,' the lead singer reportedly said. 'All I've got is drums going boom, boom, boom,' he continued. 'I can't sing to that. I'm sorry, guys.' RECOMMENDED VIDEO Starkey told the Telegraph that there was a lack of rehearsal of the song and Daltrey shortened the track on the fly. 'What happened was I got it right, and Roger got it wrong,' Starkey said. Nevertheless, he got a call from the band's manager a week later. 'He says, 'It's my unfortunate duty to inform you that you won't be needed from now on. Roger says you dropped some beats.'' Starkey added that '(guitarist) Pete (Townshend) had to go along with it, because Pete's had 60 years of arguing with Roger.' Starkey said that after he returned following the first firing, he was first forced to admit that he had dropped two beats during the song — as Daltrey accused him of doing. But the peace lasted about two weeks. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It was like, 'Roger says he can't work with you no more, and we'd like you to issue another statement saying you're leaving to do your other projects' and I just didn't do it, because I wasn't leaving (of my own volition),' Starkey told the publication. Following Starkey's first sacking, Townshend denied the drummer was 'asked to step down,' and chalked it up to 'communication issues, personal and private on all sides.' After the second ouster, Townshend reportedly told fans that 'the time has come for a change.' Starkey, however, remembers things differently, detailing on Instagram how he refused to make a statement saying he had quit the Who. That said, Starkey teased that the third time could be a charm as he and his former bandmates have already talked about him returning. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More 'I spoke to Roger last week and he said, 'Don't take your drums out of (The Who's) warehouse yet in case we need you,'' Starkey claimed. 'I said, 'Best let me know.'' As of now, however, the drummer does have other projects on the go which he clarified, 'None of this has ever interfered with The Who and was never a problem for them.' The Who will begin their Song Is Over North American Farewell Tour in August — without Starkey, for now. Love concerts, but can't make it to the venue? Stream live shows and events from your couch with VEEPS, a music-first streaming service now operating in Canada. Click here for an introductory offer of 30% off. Explore upcoming concerts and the extensive archive of past performances! Toronto Maple Leafs Music Toronto & GTA World Canada
