Beatles legend Ringo Starr has taken aim at The Who’s Roger Daltrey for firing his son Zak Starkey from the band.
In April, The Who announced a “collective decision” to part ways with Starkey, 59, after his 29 years as a drummer amid rumours of backstage tension.
However, just days later, guitarist Pete Townshend sparked confusion by saying Starkey was “not being asked” to step down - before making a U-turn a month later and saying, “the time has come for a change”.
A week later, Starkey claimed he hadn’t been “fired” from the band, but had “retired” to work on his own projects.
Now, the musician has told Rolling Stone exactly what his 84-year-old father, Beatles drummer Starr, thinks of the baffling feud.
“I’ve never liked the way that little man runs that band,” Starr said, seemingly about Daltrey.
Starkey added that he has no idea where he stands with his former bandmates after all the back and forth.
“I spoke to Roger last week,” he told the magazine.
“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! I’ve been fired more times than [late Who drummer] Keith Moon in ten days.”
Speaking to The Standard earlier this week, Starkey said he’s keen to reunite with the rock band.
“I’d love to be back in it,” he said “I’ve done it for 30 f**king years and they’ve only got 17 gigs [left on this tour].
“They’d have to rehearse so much; maybe that’s what they’ve realised - ‘Oh no, we’re gonna have to rehearse with a new drummer!’ When you rehearse with The Who, I just watch them find excuses [not to do it]. ‘Oh, the kettle’s broken…’”
Starkey said his assumed commitments with The Who were also why there were no conversations regarding him rejoining Oasis for their massive reunion shows this summer.
He is, however, confident that the gigs will unfold without any issues between the famously warring Gallagher siblings.
“I’m sure it’ll be great. They’re the greatest band I’ve ever been in. There was never any friction [on tour] - when you’re the greatest live band in the world, no one wants to f**k it up,” he said.
“When I played with them it was everyone in one dressing room, it won’t be like that now. They’re not gonna go back in the same room like they’re 11 and sharing bunk beds. Noel asked me once, ‘What’s The Who’s bus like?’ I said, ‘It’s got wings - you ought to get one mate, it’s amazing’.”
