This drama began on April 16th when a spokesperson for Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey said they "made a collective decision to part ways with Zak after this round of [Teenage Cancer Trust] shows at the Royal Albert Hall [in March]..."

It all stemmed from Daltrey feeling overpowered by Starkey's drums during the band first-ever performance of "The Song Is Over" at the second and final Albert Hall show.

Then three days later, on April 19th, Townshend announced that Zak was back, only to have it be announced a month later that he was fired.

Starkey tells the Telegraph, “What happened was I got it right and Roger got it wrong.” He suggested they perform the song, but they didn't rehearse and as a result, Daltrey came in “a bar early...

"Then Pete had to go along with it because Pete’s had 60 years of arguing with Roger.”

Starkey then spoke to Townshend, saying he wanted to be in the band, but he was made to accept the blame for Daltrey’s error. But that didn't pan out and as a result, he missed out on being part of the Oasis reunion tour, having been a touring member from 2004 to 2008, as he informed them that he would be touring with The Who.

But Starkey harbors no ill will and says he's rejoin The Who if asked.

Calling them "family," he says he doesn't "blame anyone. I blame the Who because they’re unpredictable, aggressive and insane, I spoke to Roger last week and he said, ‘Don’t take your drums out of [our] warehouse yet in case we need you.’ I said, ‘Best let me know.’”

Scott Devours from Daltrey's band will be behind the kit for their two shows next month in Italy followed by their farewell tour, ironically titled The Song Is Over, which starts on August 16th in Sunrise, Florida.

Grant Smith