Zak Starkey has clarified that Roger Daltrey told him he was “retired” and not “fired” from The Who.

“NOISE & CONFUSION!!!! I had a great phone chat with Roger at the end of last week which truly confused both of us!!! Rog said I hadn’t been ‘fired’…I had been ‘retired’ to work on my own projects,” Starkey wrote in an Instagram post.

“I explained to Rog that I have just spent nearly 8 weeks at my studio in Jamaica completing these projects, that my group Mantra Of The Cosmos was releasing one single at the beginning of June and after that had run its course ( usually 5/6 weeks ) I was completely available for the foreseeable future,” Starkey continued.

“Rog said ‘Oh!’ and we kind of left it there- On good terms and great friends as we have always been. Gotta love these guys. As my mum used to say ‘The mind boggles!!!'”

Starkey, the son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, was let go from the band two times in a month.

Ahead of their upcoming farewell tour, guitarist Pete Townshend announced last month that “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. Scott Devours who has worked with Roger’s solo band will join The Who for our Final shows. Please welcome him.”

The firing surprised Starkey, after reports that Daltrey was not happy with the drummer’s performance at a March Royal Albert Hall gig, complaining from stage that Starkey’s loud playing was throwing him off.

Starkey was then seemingly re-hired just days after Townshend’s original announcement, after what the guitarist and songwriter described as “communication issues,” only to be re-fired on May 18th.

Source: RTT Music News

George Harrison’s career-spanning compilation album, Let It Roll: Songs By George Harrison, is getting its first-ever vinyl release on July 11th via Dark Horse Records.

The vinyl edition of Let It Roll: Songs By George Harrison, available as a two-LP set, can be pre-ordered here.

The 19-track album includes a number of George’s biggest singles as well as live solo recordings of three Beatles songs – “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “Something” and “Here Comes The Sun” – from the Grammy-winning album The Concert for Bangladesh.

The album, originally released in 2009, includes four solo songs by the late former Beatles guitarist that topped the Billboard Hot 100: “My Sweet Lord,” “Isn’t It A Pity,” “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)” and “Got My Mind Set On You.”

Let It Roll: Songs By George Harrison Tracklist:

Side A

1. Got My Mind Set on You

2. Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)

3. Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)

4. My Sweet Lord

5. While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Live from Madison Square Garden, New York, U.S.A, 1971)

Side B

1. All Things Must Pass

2. Any Road

3. This Is Love

4. All Those Years Ago

5. Marwa Blues

Side C

1. What Is Life

2. Rising Sun

3. When We Was Fab

4. Something (Live from Madison Square Garden, New York, U.S.A, 1971)

5. Blow Away

Side D

1. Cheer Down

2. Here Comes the Sun (Live from Madison Square Garden, New York, U.S.A, 1971)

3. I Don’t Want to Do It

4. Isn’t It a Pity

Source: RTT Music News

Billy Joel has cancelled all of his scheduled concerts after being diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH).

NPH is a brain disorder that causes fluid to accumulate in the brain’s ventricles, leading to issues with hearing, vision, and balance.

According to a statement, the condition was “exacerbated” by recent live performances.

“Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period. He is grateful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health,” according to the statement.

In his own words, Joel added, “I’m sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding.”

Refund will be automatically processed back to the original payment used for the purchase.

Source: RTT Music News

CBS and Dick Clark Productions have announced Rod Stewart will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 American Music Awards.

The two-time inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will be presented the award on May 26th in recognition of his incomparable career, body of work, and unparalleled contributions to music for nearly six decades; and honoring his lasting legacy and continued influence on generations of artists and fans.

The star-studded celebration will be hosted by Jennifer Lopez from the all-new luxury resort Fontainebleau Las Vegas.

Stewart will also deliver a performance of one of his timeless classics, marking his first time on the AMAs stage since 2004.

Stewart’s extraordinary catalog includes 19 platinum and multi-platinum certified albums in the U.S. One of the most successful touring artists in music history, he will launch the North American leg of his “One Last Time” world tour this summer.

Promising to be a night of unforgettable performances, including from Lopez herself, the 51st AMAs will air live coast to coast beginning at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT on the CBS Television Network and stream on Paramount+ in the U.S.

Tickets to the star-studded show are available now via Ticketmaster.

Source: RTT Music News