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The Who Fires Drummer Zak Starkey
Ultimate Classic Rock ^ | 4/16/25 | Martin Keitley

Posted on 04/17/2025 3:17:27 PM PDT by mgstarr

The Who have confirmed the dismissal of drummer Zak Starkey, who had been a touring member of the band for 29 years.

The son of Ringo Starr was dismissed following reports of a dispute with singer Roger Daltrey that became public during the band’s recent performances at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

A light-hearted social media post from Starkey seemed to suggest that he’d known about the move before it was announced.

“The band made a collective decision to part ways with Zak after this round of shows at the Royal Albert Hall,” a representative’s statement read. “They have nothing but admiration for him and wish him the very best for his future.”

However, the Mirror reported that a source had said the split was “a little acrimonious to say the least.”

Daltrey is said to have complained about Starkey overplaying during one of the Albert Hall shows, telling the crowd: “To sing that song I do need to hear the key, and I can’t. All I’ve got is drums going boom, boom, boom. I can’t sing to that. I’m sorry, guys.”

(Excerpt) Read more at ultimateclassicrock.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; Music/Entertainment
KEYWORDS: martinkeitley; rogerdaltrey; royalalberthall; thewho; zakstarkey
While never an official member of the band, he was the godson of Keith Moon.
1 posted on 04/17/2025 3:17:27 PM PDT by mgstarr
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To: mgstarr

Keep in mind most of the original group the “Who”
have severe hearing loss. They were VERY loud
That is what made their mark and music so unique.
That can really effect you as a musician.
Perhaps retirement into a quiet estate is
a good choice.


2 posted on 04/17/2025 3:25:22 PM PDT by rellic (No such thing as a moderate Moslem or Democrat )
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To: rellic
I agree that its probably time to retire.

They only started to tour again because John needed money for a huge tax debt and then ends up dying before it started in '04.And Pete's hearing issues started with the drum kit explosion on the Smother's Brothers show.

3 posted on 04/17/2025 3:30:04 PM PDT by mgstarr ("I drink, therefore I am" Rene Descartes (1637))
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To: mgstarr

“Daltrey is said to have complained about Starkey overplaying during one of the Albert Hall shows, telling the crowd: “To sing that song I do need to hear the key, and I can’t. All I’ve got is drums going boom, boom, boom. I can’t sing to that. I’m sorry, guys.””

Kind of humorous when one looks at videos of Who live with Keith Moon.

Sound reinforcement has come a long ways since the 1970s and they can isolate the drums better and control what gets sent to monitors, etc.


4 posted on 04/17/2025 3:30:36 PM PDT by plain talk
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To: rellic

Boleskine House? Perfect.


5 posted on 04/17/2025 3:31:41 PM PDT by dljordan (The Rewards of Tolerance are Treachery and Betrayal)
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To: mgstarr

there has been a thread on this running all afternoon... you honestly didnt see it before you posted this??


6 posted on 04/17/2025 3:32:05 PM PDT by sit-rep
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To: sit-rep

Sorry - I searched keywords and not titles. I have asked the moderator to pull.


7 posted on 04/17/2025 3:37:55 PM PDT by mgstarr ("I drink, therefore I am" Rene Descartes (1637))
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To: mgstarr; SunkenCiv

There’s a lag time. Ask Sunken Civ


8 posted on 04/17/2025 4:00:31 PM PDT by Silentgypsy (In my defense, I was left unsupervised.)
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To: mgstarr
While never an official member of the band, he was the godson of Keith Moon.

Apparently, Zac plays more like his godfather than his father. Ringo always saw the drummer's role as complementary and not to draw attention to himself.

9 posted on 04/17/2025 4:19:52 PM PDT by CommerceComet (Re-elect Donald Trump - AGAIN)
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To: CommerceComet

“Sorry fellas, you’re just too darned loud.”

—The Who, who made their reputation by smashing guitars during performances


10 posted on 04/17/2025 4:22:43 PM PDT by DarrellZero
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To: Silentgypsy; mgstarr

During one of the numbers they performed at the show, and Daltrey stopped ‘em dead and started saying something about how it was being played. Ya get old, ya don’t wanna just choke it back anymore. :^)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxUG4KB8EpQ


11 posted on 04/17/2025 4:53:46 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Putin should skip ahead to where he kills himself in the bunker.)
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To: mgstarr

whatever happened to “I hope I die before I get old”?


12 posted on 04/17/2025 5:37:58 PM PDT by Jeff Vader
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To: mgstarr
Who?--George Olsen & His Music
13 posted on 04/17/2025 5:43:09 PM PDT by Fiji Hill
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To: Jeff Vader

“That was then, this is now.”

- S.E. Hinton


14 posted on 04/17/2025 5:44:34 PM PDT by OKSooner (Oh, the mad fools!)
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To: Jeff Vader

“That was then, this is now.”

- S.E. Hinton


15 posted on 04/17/2025 5:44:39 PM PDT by OKSooner (Oh, the mad fools!)
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To: Jeff Vader

“That was then, this is now.”

- S.E. Hinton


16 posted on 04/17/2025 5:44:39 PM PDT by OKSooner (Oh, the mad fools!)
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To: Jeff Vader

“That was then, this is now.”

- S.E. Hinton


17 posted on 04/17/2025 5:44:40 PM PDT by OKSooner (Oh, the mad fools!)
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To: mgstarr

“I agree that its probably time to retire.”

They should have retired years ago . Some say , and I agree , they should have disbanded The Who after Moon’s death . Octogenarians and jazz don’t seem incongruous but hard rockers and octos do .


18 posted on 04/17/2025 6:06:17 PM PDT by sushiman
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To: mgstarr

I went to a show a few years ago and let after a few minutes. It was in an arena and sounded like crap. The show itself was lame also. I have found these “old” groups are going around collecting the scraps left over from their past. The shows are lackluster, but they get paid.


19 posted on 04/18/2025 4:37:02 AM PDT by dgbrown
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