The Who's Roger Daltrey Accuses Zak Starkey of Character Assassination After Dismissal

Roger Daltrey of The Who has accused former drummer Zak Starkey of "character assassination" following Starkey's dismissal from the band after nearly three decades. The split was precipitated by a disputed onstage incident at the Royal Albert Hall where Daltrey claimed Starkey's drumming drowned out the key needed for singing, while Starkey argued the mistake was actually Daltrey's. Starkey was fired, briefly reinstated, and then dismissed again, with conflicting statements about whether he quit or was fired. Daltrey explained that sound issues involving excessive sub-bass affected his ability to hear the pitch, leading to miscommunication, and stressed that only he and Pete Townshend have the rights to The Who name, characterizing others as session players. The band has since replaced Starkey with Scott Devours for their farewell tour. The dispute has been emotionally difficult for Daltrey, who described Starkey's public comments as very upsetting.