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Zak Starkey expressed ongoing confusion regarding his dual dismissals from The Who earlier this year, as per UCR. Despite this, he clarified that he did not harbor resentment towards his former bandmates.
In April 2025, the band announced their decision to part ways with him. It was speculated that Roger Daltrey’s decision was influenced by a London concert where he reportedly could not hear himself due to Starkey’s drumming.
Pete Townshend later indicated that the initial dismissal had been rescinded. However, Starkey was subsequently informed of his termination once again.
He remarked that this controversy ultimately cost him the opportunity to participate in Oasis‘s reunion tour.
I’d like to say that we remained friends throughout. I spoke to Roger like, two weeks ago…we never actually became, like, enemies or anything. I think they just wanted to change; and then they didn’t, and then they did, and then they didn’t, and then they did, and then they didn’t. It was pretty confusing. And I think they’re still confused. I’m still confused!”
Starkey continued by saying that he didn’t want to cast a negative light on nearly thirty years of work by lamenting its conclusion.
I’ve been working with Roger on and off since I was 17. And I worked with John Entwistle from even younger than that. I was in the Who 29 years, and I wouldn’t bury a friendship over it. It’s just band business. I have nothing against them. As far as I know, they’re done. I’d like to have finished it off, but I didn’t. … I don’t hold a grudge, really, because they’re my friends; and we’ve been friends for such a long time.
