The Who's final US shows under threat as Roger Daltrey is left unimpressed with Pete Townshend after sacking Zak Starkey for a second time

Daily Mail​

22-05-2025

Is the Who's 'farewell' tour of the US already under threat?
First, the drummer Zak Starkey, 59, was kicked out of the veteran rock group for the second time in a month.
Now, Roger Daltrey, 81, has said he wasn't impressed by Pete Townshend's remark that being in the band after 61 years is like 'flogging a dead horse'.
He said: 'If Pete doesn't want to tour, I don't want to be back with The Who on the road, at 81, with someone who doesn't want be there — if that's what he's saying.
'I won't do it with someone who is half-hearted about it. But, you know, every dog has its day and it was a wonderful ride.'
In a recent interview with Sunday People, Pete, 80, had said: 'The Who has gone on a bit too long with two of us dying. It does sometimes feel like flogging a dead horse.'
Just days ago it was revealed their drummer Zak had been fired from the band for a second time, just one month after he was sacked then quickly reinstated.
Guitarist Pete announced that Zak, the Who's drummer since 1996, was no longer part of the band in an update to Instagram.
Zak's sacking comes just months ahead of the legendary bands farewell tour across North America and Pete revealed Scott Devours will replace him on drums.
The statement read: 'After many years of great work on drums from Zak the time has come for a change. A poignant time. Zak has lots of new projects in hand and I wish him the best.'
In a second post, Pete and Roger Daltrey added: 'The Who are heading for retirement, whereas Zak is 20yrs younger and has a great future with his new band and other exciting projects.
'He needs to devote all his energy into making it all a success. We both wish him all the luck in the world.
'Scott Devours – Who fans will know him from Roger's solo shows – will be replacing Zak. We hope all our fans will welcome him. Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey'.
Zak has since claimed his departure was not a mutual decision and that he was fired from the band.
Resharing The Who's post, Zak hit back: 'I was fired two weeks after reinstatement and asked to make a statement saying I had quit the who to pursue my other musical endevours this would be a lie.
'I love the who and would never had quit. So I didn't make the statement ….quitting The Who would also have let down the countless amazing people who stood up for me (thank you all a million times over and more) thru the weeks of mayhem of me going 'in an out an in an out an in an out like a bleedin squeezebox x
'To clarify 'other projects' yes I do have other projects and always have. The Who have been sporadic or minimalist in touring most years apart from a two extensive tours in 2000 and 2006/7'
Zak continued to list his other previous projects before adding: 'Releasing singles but not touring cos members are so busy. None of this has ever interfered with The Who and was never a problem for them .
'The lie is or would have been that I quit The Who- I didn't. I love the who and everyone in it.'
It comes weeks after The Who shared the shock news that they will be retiring from touring after 60 years, following a final run of shows in the US later this year.
The legendary rock band shared the news at a London press conference as they announced their farewell tour, which will kick off in July.
Zak has since claimed his departure was not a mutual decision and that he was fired from the band
The news comes just weeks after Roger and Pete made a shock U-turn to welcome drummer Zak back into the band, after he was sacked following a bitter fallout.
While announcing the band's retirement, Pete made the shock confession: 'Everyone needs to know the truth…. I can't lie…. I am not crazy about touring.'
Meanwhile Roger who appeared via video link, said: 'It will have to come to an end one day.'
The Who are set to play 16 shows in the US, and insiders have told The Mirror they hope the tour will be extended to include dates in Europe and the UK.
Roger went onto add: 'Pete (Townshend) is still playing great guitar, the music's still got the vitality that suits it, because it's something about the way Pete's music is written, the way it's shaped, the sentiment behind it, it doesn't seem to age like a lot of rock music does.'
'Us out there performing for the last time is a thank you for fans.'
He went onto cast doubt over whether the tour could be extended to the UK, saying: 'Let's see if we survive this one.
'Touring America is a damn sight easier than touring the UK, because, for some reason or the other, the UK has decided to make it as difficult as possible to go from A to B.'
'In America, you seem to want to make it as easy as possible. I don't want to say that there won't be, but equally I'm not confident in saying there will be.'
The hitmaker added that he has a scheduled day off between each of the shows on the advice of his throat specialist, having previously had growths removed from his vocal cords back in 2009.
Roger added: 'I can't do consecutive shows. At the end of the tour I might be able to do two back to back.
'I've been ordered by my throat specialist, (who would) say ''You have to have a day off after every gig, and then after every three gigs you have to have two days off, because otherwise you will wreck your voice and you will not be able to sing''.'
'Every musician's dream in the early 60's was to make it big in the US charts. For the Who, that dream came true in 1967 and our lives were changed forever.
'The warmth of the American audiences over the years have been inspirational to me, and reflect the feeling I remember getting after hearing the first rock records coming across the radio. Musical freedom!
'Rock gave us a feeling of generational rebellion. To me, America has always been great. The cultural differences had a huge impact on me, this was the land of the possible.'
Reflecting on their decision to bid farewell to touring, Roger added: 'It's not easy to end the big part of my life that touring with The Who has been. Thanks for being there for us and look forward to seeing you one last time.'
Pete commented: 'Well, all good things must come to an end. It is a poignant time.
'For me, playing to American audiences and those in Canada has always been incredible. The warmth and engagement of those audiences began back in 1967 with hippies smoking dope, sitting on their blankets and listening deeply and intensely.
'Music was everywhere. We all felt equal. Today, Roger and I still carry the banner for the late Keith Moon and John Entwistle and of course, all of our longtime Who fans.
'I must say that although the road has not always been enjoyable for me, it is usually easy: the best job I could ever have had. I keep coming back.
'Every time I do, I meet new fans and feel new energy. Roger and I are in a good place, despite our age, eager to throw our weight behind this fond farewell to all our faithful fans, and hopefully to new ones who might jump in to see what they have been missing for the last 57 years.
'This tour will be about fond memories, love and laughter. Make sure you join in.'
Last month, Zak was welcomed back into the band after Roger and Pete made the shock move to sack him.
The pair had reportedly sacked the drummer after a 'huge fall out' happened after the band's two recent gigs at the Royal Albert Hall last month.
However, the musicians have now confirmed Zak is firmly still in the band and hasn't been asked to leave.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, with an official statement they penned: 'He's not being asked to step down from The Who.
'There have been some communication issues, personal and private on all sides, that needed to be dealt with, and these have been aired happily.'
Sources allegedly claimed that there were question marks over Zak's drumming at the shows last month.
Addressing this, the statement continued: 'Roger and I would like Zak to tighten up his latest evolved drumming style to accommodate our non-orchestral line up and he has readily agreed. I take responsibility for some of the confusion.
'Our TCT [Teenage Cancer Trust] shows at the Royal Albert Hall were a little tricky for me. I thought that four and a half weeks would be enough time to recover completely from having a complete knee replacement. (Why did I ever think I could land on my knees?) Wrong!
'Maybe we didn't put enough time into sound checks, giving us problems on stage. The sound in the centre of the stage is always the most difficult to work with.
'Roger did nothing wrong but fiddle with his in-ear monitors. Zak made a few mistakes and he has apologised. Albeit with a rubber duck drummer.
'We are a family, this blew up very quickly and got too much oxygen. It's over. We move forward now with optimism and fire in our bellies.'
Addressing another rumour, Pete added: 'As for Roger, fans can enjoy his forthcoming solo shows with his fabulous drummer, Scott Devours, who it was rumoured might replace Zak in The Who and has always been supportive of the band.
'I owe Scott an apology for not crushing that rumour before it spread. He has been hurt by this. I promise to buy him a very long drink and give him a hug.'
Zak also responded to the post as he penned: 'V grateful to be a part of The Who family Thanks Roger and Pete xx.'
A spokesperson had previously announced the news of Zak's exit from the band by saying: 'The band made a collective decision to part ways with Zak after this round of shows at the Royal Albert Hall.
'They have nothing but admiration for him and wish him the very best for his future.'
However a spokesperson for Zak then hinted that when things settle down there would be 'light at the end of the tunnel' and described the row as a 'typical rock'n' roll fall out'.
They said: 'Healing can take time! Zak is without doubt one of the UK's greatest drummers and to questions his drumming ability and performance, is in my mind a musical insult.
'He has exceptional timing, rhythmic drive, and had created a solid foundation for The Who and I feel his godfather Keith Moon would only be too proud of Zak taking his seat.
'I'm sure there will be some light at the end of the tunnel when things settle down. Hey, it's only rock'n'roll but we love it!'
Zak, who was planning to take 'much needed time off with his family', was said to be 'saddened and surprised' over the decision to sack him after his long career in the band.
According to The Mirror, Zak said in a statement: 'In January, I suffered a serious medical emergency with blood clots in my right bass drum calf. This is now completely healed and does not affect my drumming or running.
'After playing those songs with the band for so many decades, I'm surprised and saddened anyone would have an issue with my performance that night, but what can you do?
'I plan to take some much needed time off with my family, and focus on the release of Domino Bones by Mantra Of The Cosmos with Noel Gallagher in May and finishing my autobiography written solely by me. Twenty-nine years at any job is a good old run, and I wish them the best.'
The insider went on to add: 'It's a little acrimonious to say the least.'
While fans were loving the shows, which were in honour of Roger's Teenage Cancer Trust charity, a source claimed there were a 'few issues with the drumming....and the standard wasn't as high as everyone wanted'.
However, a different source noted that 'extremely talented' Zak's departure was sure to rock the band, with his axing not making 'any sense'.
Zak is the son of Beatles legend Ringo Starr and Maureen Starkey Tigrett.
Back in January, Zak said he feared he would die as he spoke for the first time since he cancelled gigs after he was diagnosed with a blood clot.
Zak had been set to take the stage with his supergroup Mantra of the Cosmos - including Happy Mondays vocalist Shaun Ryder, 62, Oasis guitarist Andy Bell, 54, percussionist Mark ' Bez ' Berry, 60, and Noel Gallagher, 57, - when he received the alarming health alert.
It lead to him to withdraw from a London gig, hours ahead of showtime.
He has since revealed that the blood clot in his right leg has forced him to rest for two weeks on doctors orders, and he has been prescribed blood thinners for the hazardous health condition.
Zak told MailOnline: 'At first I thought maybe I just pulled a hamstring or something because that's where the pain started on the knee and then the MRI scan showed nothing and then an ultrasound showed it the next day.
'So we had to pull the gig and I was told to go home straight away. I'm on blood thinners and that should move it you know but it wasn't ideal news.
'I am a little bit worried but they said a couple of weeks should be alright. It should be able to dissipate but there is a worry if you move it too much and it hits something major.
'If it hits your lungs or your heart or your brain you're in deep sh**. Or deep earth.'