An iconic rock band’s longtime drummer is speaking out after being fired. Zak Starkey had played the drums for The Who over nearly three decades until singer Roger Daltrey and guitarist Pete Townshend, cut ties with him on Tuesday. According to reports, they had a “huge fallout” over his drumming performance at two charity shows in London last month. Starkey, the 59-year-old son of The Beatles’ Ringo Starr, told Rolling Stone that he’s still “very proud” of his work with The Who. Original drummer Keith Moon, Starkey’s godfather, gave him a drum kit at a young age shortly before Moon’s death in 1978. “Filling the shoes of my Godfather, ‘uncle Keith’ has been the biggest honor and I remain their biggest fan. They’ve been like family to me,” Starkey told Rolling Stone. “After playing those songs with the band for so many decades, I’m surprised and saddened anyone would have an issue with my performance that night, but what can you do?” Starkey also confirmed reports he had suffered a medical emergency in January. He told the magazine that blood clots in his right leg have since “completely healed” and do not affect his drumming or running abilities. His health was raised as a possible issue amid reports Daltrey and Townshend were disappointed with Starkey’s “overplaying” at the Royal Albert Hall to raise money for Daltrey’s Teenage Cancer Trust. “To sing that song I do need to hear the key, and I can’t. All I’ve got is drums going boom, boom, boom. I can’t sing to that. I’m sorry guys,” Daltrey said on stage, according to a fan video. Starkey told Rolling Stone he plans to take “some much needed time off” to be with his family and work on finishing his autobiography. He’s also planning to release a new record with his other band Mantra of the Cosmos, featuring Oasis’ Noel Gallagher, next month. Starkey had been The Who’s full-time drummer since 1996, when he joined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group on their Quadrophenia Tour. Starkey contributed to The Who’s most recent albums, including 2006’s “Endless Wire” and 2019’s “Who,” plus multiple live recordings. He also performed with The Who at major events like the 2012 Olympics in London and the 2010 Super Bowl. The Who have not named a replacement for Starkey. Daltrey has more than a dozen concerts scheduled this year, including two tour dates with Townshend as The Who in Italy. Daltrey, 81, and Townshend, 79, are best known for their work on The Who with hits like “My Generation,” “Baba O’Riley,” “Behind Blue Eyes” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” They performed at the original Woodstock festival and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.