Rock beefs don’t usually get this generational — but when a Beatle calls you a “little man,” you’ve probably earned it.
In a spicy new twist to the saga surrounding Zak Starkey’s unceremonious exit from The Who, his dad — Ringo Starr – you know, the actual Beatle — has publicly taken aim at frontman Roger Daltrey for giving his son the boot.
“I’ve never liked the way that little man runs that band,” Ringo reportedly told his son as stated in a recent Rolling Stone article. And honestly, fair.
The whole thing’s been a mess. Zak — who’s been keeping The Who’s legacy alive behind the kit since the ‘90s — was allegedly “retired” by Daltrey and Pete Townshend earlier this year. But Zak didn’t get that memo. He says he was fired. Then Pete tried to walk it back, then confirmed it again. Roger said “don’t take your drums out of storage,” which is just cruel at this point. It’s like gaslighting in 4/4 time.
“These guys are fuckin’ insane!” Zak told Rolling Stone. “I’ve been fired more times than Keith Moon in 10 days.” He’s got a point — and Moon literally blew up toilets for fun.
And while Zak might not be losing sleep over the firing — he’s busy drumming for Mantra Of The Cosmos with Shaun Ryder and Andy Bell, and recently collaborated with both Sean Ono Lennon and James McCartney — the family’s not staying quiet.
This is rock royalty feuding with rock royalty. A Beatle calling out The Who on behalf of his son, I mean you almost couldn’t script it better. And with Daltrey just knighted in King Charles’ Birthday Honours list, the timing’s almost poetic.
One thing’s clear: Zak Starkey deserved better. He carried the torch for The Who for decades and got tossed aside like an old tour pass. And now, Ringo’s not just having his back — he’s throwing a stick straight at Daltrey’s ego.
Rock’s messy, and this drama is louder than ever. I guess it’s your move now, Roger.
MORE IN Music
