When Roger Daltrey has something to say, he doesn’t mince words — and at a recent solo show, The Who’s iconic frontman let loose. Amid swirling rumors about an alleged spat with longtime drummer Zak Starkey, Daltrey emphatically denied any involvement, labeling the controversy as “fake news” and torching social media in the process.
Earlier this month, reports emerged that Starkey had been fired after allegedly overplaying during a London show, leaving the drummer “surprised and saddened.” The situation spiraled until guitarist Pete Townshend stepped in to clarify that Starkey remained firmly in the band’s lineup, citing a communication breakdown for the confusion.
At his Alive and Kicking and Having Fun! solo tour, Daltrey addressed the chaos, telling fans, “The last few weeks in my life, I’ve felt like I’ve been starring in an episode of The Twilight Zone. I’ve been reading about me in the press, doing things I don’t remember ever doing.” He joked that an impostor must be acting in his name, sarcastically referencing a supposed backstage blow-up: “It wasn’t my f—ing dressing room, that’s for sure!”
Daltrey’s frustration reached a boiling point as he lambasted the role of anonymous sources and media spin. “It makes you wonder — ‘How far inside?’” he mused. He firmly stated, “All I want to say is, it’s fake news. I am not guilty. I have not got a press spokesman. I speak for myself.”
And he didn’t hold back when it came to the broader landscape, declaring, “F— social media. I’ve never done it; I never want to do it — it’s taken civilization to the pits.”
In classic Daltrey fashion, the message was crystal clear: he’s not playing the media’s game. As the Who gears up for future endeavors, fans can take comfort that the only drama Roger Daltrey will be starring in is the one he brings to the stage — where it belongs.
