JACK WHITE 40th BIRTHDAY
- Jul 9, 2015
- 2 min read
Today 40 years ago a legend was born ‘Jack White’ born John Anthony Gillis celebrates a milestone birthday today and what a fine life he has to look back on. There is no disillusion that Jack White is indisputably our favourite rock and roller his music is at times inapprehensible, no words could sum up the sound he creates with his collection of old battered vintage guitars. From The White Stripes onto The Racounteurs, The Dead Weather and eventually two solo albums he has given the music industry so much during his illustrious car
eer deservedly instating himself into the rock history books.
He started his journey drumming for several underground bands in his native Detroit playing various gigs by night and earned his living as a humble carpenter by day. Coming from a big family, Jack, had a hectic upbringing with several older brothers and sisters to contend with, he had a small bedroom in their family home where he removed the bed and mattress in order to fit his drum kit and musical equipment. At the age of 18 he first heard what would follow on to be one of his greatest musical inspirations, a friend showed him a record of ‘Son House – Grinnin in Your Face’ and instantly felt emotional attachment to the song. He eventually went on to cover several of Son House’s tracks with the White Stripes including: Death Letter and John the Revelator.
Shortly before the creation of these songs whilst a carpenter he used to spend his evenings in the shop where he worked’ jamming with his colleague moving the furniture around so they had space to thrash their instruments about. It was shortly after that he met Meg White who became his girlfriend, they shared very similar music tastes and Jack taught her to play simple drums patterns. They formed the White Stripes and went on to release 6 albums their first self titled debut album ‘White Stripes’ in 1999 and the rest is history. Jack is a very controversial and old fashion character never far from the tabloid headlines for one thing or another. His record label Third Man Records is based in Nashville and is the label for all is projects and used to be the label for old blues rocker Seasick Steve.
We’ve bored you with a whole load of bullshit Jack White facts and figures I’m sure you have no time for, our story telling abilities aren’t quite up to scratch if you want to know more about the life of the legend watch ‘It Might Get Loud’ a documentary he made with Jimi Page and, The Edge back in 2009. Here is quite possibly our favourite Jack White song, it pains me a little inside to say that, he’s written so many incredible songs but I’m going to stick to my guns here’s ‘Fly Farm Blues’.
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