The Who frontman Roger Daltrey has hit back at The Beatles’ Ringo Starr following his “little man” comment.
The 81-year-old performer took to The Piece Hall stage in Halifax and wasted no time addressing the recent swipe made by Beatles drummer Starr.
Daltrey is performing a series of solo shows ahead of The Who’s farewell tour in the United States – and a shuffle to the lineup for the Stateside gigs has allegedly bothered Starr.
The Back Off Boogaloo hitmaker and Beatles member was reportedly upset when Daltrey decided to “sack” drummer Zak Starkey, Starr’s son.
The Who guitarist Pete Townshend confirmed Starkey’s departure, while Starr’s son, who had previously drummed with Oasis and Johnny Marr, claims his father was never a fan of “little man” Daltrey.
Speaking to Rolling Stone, Starkey claimed it was Daltrey who made the mistake that led to Starkey’s firing during the group’s performance of The Song Is Over, insisting the singer “came in four bars early”.
“He just got lost,” Starkey said. “He blamed it on the drums being too loud and then it got made into this huge social media thing.”
Starkey would be sacked, reinstated, and then sacked again by the band in the lead-up to their farewell tour of the United States.
Starkey went on to claim in the same interview that his father was “never a fan” of Daltrey. The Beatles’ drummer, according to Starkey, reportedly said: “I’ve never liked the way that little man [Daltrey] runs that band.”
Daltrey has since hit back at Starr, whose comment does not seem to have bothered him in the slightest. In the build up to hit song Who Are You at his Piece Hall gig, Daltrey said: “Little man, according to Ringo.”
Despite the apparent bad blood between Daltrey, Starkey, and Starr, the 59-year-old drummer is open to returning to the band, should The Who ask him.
He said: “Of course I would go back if they asked.” Starkey went on to claim Daltrey had told him to “keep his drums in the warehouse” and remain on standby.
It comes as Starkey was replaced by Scott Devours. The new Who drummer was also present at Daltrey’s solo show, being a member of his touring band since 2009.
The replacement of Starkey was announced through an Instagram post from Townshend, who wrote: “After many years of great work on drums from Zak the time has come for a change. A poignant time.
“Zak has lots fo new projects in hand and I wish him the best. Scott Devours, who has worked with Roger’s solo band, will join The Who for our final shows. Please welcome him.”