Zak interview in Daily Star

["Brian Cady" <cadyb@home.com>]

Available on line at:
http://www.megastar.co.uk/site/today/features/showbiz_news/20001129z_ringo.html

A right old Who-ha!

EXCLUSIVE by BEN TODD

DRUMMER Zak Starkey says The Who have always been his favourite band... despite
his dad having been a member of the most popular group in music history.

Zak, the son of Beatle Ringo Starr, has been with The Who for the past six
years. And he again took the sticks for the mod legends' sensational charity gig
at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Speaking exclusively to AAA after the show, Zak said it was a dream come true
for him to join Pete Townshend, John Entwistle and Roger Daltrey on stage.

In his first interview in three years, the 35year-old confessed: "I've been a
Who fanatic since I was nine years old, so it's amazing to play with them. They
are the best rock 'n' roll band in the world."

A who's who of stars turned out for the gig on Monday night, in aid of the
Teenage Cancer Trust.

Among them were Rolling Stone Mick Jagger, Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page,
Zak's dad Ringo and his fellow Beatle George Harrison.

Other celeb guests included Spiller singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, TV's Mark
Lamarr, American film director Martin Scorsese and Charlton Athletic boss Alan
Curbishly - whose brother, Bill, has long managed The Who.

The band were also joined on stage by more modern chart stars, including Oasis
guitarist Noel Gallagher.

Zak first teamed up with The Who when he performed with Roger Daltrey on tour.
But his famous father's pedigree counted for nothing.

Like anyone else, he had to pass the audition.

He said: "I first played with them in 1994. I auditioned to play on Roger's solo
tour and got the gig. I've been doing it ever since - well, whenever they call
me up."

There are tentative plans for The Who to record a new album next year -
following the phenomenal success of this year's Greatest Hits tour, which has
seen them play to sell-out audiences all over the world.

But nothing is ever certain with these rock 'n' roll giants. Their bickering was
always legendary and it seems nothing's changed.

Zak said: "They've been splitting up since the Sixties and staying in different
hotels. One day it's on with The Who, one day it's off. You just never know."

But he added: "There are a few things happening. You'll just have to wait and
see."

Stereophonics singer Kelly Jones, who performed on stage with The Who, was
delighted when Mick Jagger paid tribute to his group and had his photo taken
with the Welsh star.

Jagger marched up to Kelly and told him: "I saw you last year and you were
f***ing brilliant!"

They then posed together for a Polaroid, which Kelly couldn't stop showing off
to his chums when Rubber Lips had left.

After the storming show, Daltrey paid tribute to the guests who had joined them
for the gig.

He told AAA: "The accoustics are always bad at the Royal Albert Hall, but I
thought the gig went great.

"The guests were superb - they all even turned up on time for rehearsals."
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        -Brian in Atlanta
         The Who This Month!
        http://members.home.net/cadyb/who.htm