Inside The Who's final gig with drummer and brutal jibe that saw him sacked (2025)

The Who's Royal Albert Hall show on March 30 drew raised eyebrows over the alleged quality of drumming - which proved the 'final straw'

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The Who star Roger Daltrey complained repeatedly about Zak Starkey’s drumming in an error-ridden show that was the “final straw” for the band, insiders say.

The Mirror revealed yesterday how the group had fired the drummer after concerns over the standard of Zak’s performance at a Royal Albert Hall show. Now details of that gig have emerged including how the front man threw his hands up to complain and repeatedly stopped the March 30 gig.

At one point Daltrey said: “All I’ve got is drums going boom, boom, boom. I can’t sing to that” He added during the show: “To sing that song I do need to hear the key, and I can’t.” At another moment, he said: "It was going so well… I can sing in any f***ing key you want, but I need to hear which one.”

An insider said: “It was the final straw for the band and they knew they had to pull the plug. It’s a shame but it is what it is.”

We told yesterday how the sacking had left Zak upset, with insiders saying it was “acrimonious to say the least.” And Zak appeared to reference the row on his Instagram a few days ago.

He said: “Heard today from inside source that Toger Daktrey [sic] lead singer and principal songwriter of the group unhappy with Zak the drummer’s performance at the Albert Hall a few weeks ago is bringing formal charges of overplaying and is literally going to Zak the drummer.”

Zak, the son of Beatles legend Ringo Starr, has been The Who’s full-time drummer since their Quadrophenia tour in 1996.

A spokesman for The Who said previously: “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.”

Some believe that Zak has been hard done by. A source said: “He is an extremely talented drummer and it doesn’t make any sense.” It is a second blow for Zak this year, after he suffered a blood clot in his leg in January.

The drummer, 59, who also plays in indie band Mantra of the Cosmos, was advised to rest and take blood thinners. Zak has also played for Oasis, joining in 2004 to fill a void left by Alan White. He was rumoured to be taking part in their 2025 comeback.

The Mirror revealed last August how Zak was banned from an Airbnb house after he let slip he was planning a party.

Zak had booked the six-bed pad in the Chilterns for his wife Sharna Liguz’s 40th birthday.But while he was looking around the plush property, Zak told the cleaners he was throwing a bash with a host of showbiz pals including Liam Gallagher and Johnny Marr.

Zak said: “The Airbnb hosts cancelled after Googling me and seeing Oasis and The Who, the two worst-behaved bands in rock ‘n’ roll history.”

The Who formed in London in 1964. The classic line-up was Daltrey, now 81, Pete Townshend, 79, bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon.