Jack White facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jack White
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White in 2021
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| Birth name | John Anthony Gillis |
| Also known as | Jack White III, Johnny Guitar |
| Born | July 9, 1975 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1994–present |
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John Anthony White (born Gillis on July 9, 1975) is an American musician. He is famous for being the singer and guitarist of the rock duo the White Stripes. After the band ended, he found more success as a solo artist and with other bands.
White played in several bands in Detroit before starting The White Stripes in 1997. He formed the band with his then-wife, Meg White. Their 2001 album, White Blood Cells, made them famous around the world. The music video for their song "Fell in Love with a Girl" was a big hit.
After The White Stripes, White started other bands. In 2005, he formed The Raconteurs, and in 2009, he started The Dead Weather. He also worked with famous artists like Loretta Lynn and Bob Dylan. In 2008, he and Alicia Keys recorded "Another Way to Die" for the James Bond movie Quantum of Solace.
As a solo artist, White has released six successful albums. He also started his own record label and studio, Third Man Records. The label releases music on vinyl records for many artists. His 2014 album, Lazaretto, set a record for the most vinyl sales in one week.
White is known for his unique guitar playing and love for old-fashioned technology. He has won 12 Grammy Awards. Rolling Stone magazine has named him one of the greatest guitarists of all time. In 2025, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The White Stripes.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps in Music
John Anthony Gillis was born in Detroit, Michigan, on July 9, 1975. He was the youngest of ten children. His mother's family was from Poland, and his father was Scottish-Canadian. As a boy, he was an altar boy in the Catholic church. This led to a small part in the 1987 movie The Rosary Murders.
His older brothers were in a band, which inspired him to play music. He learned to play instruments they left behind, starting with the drums. He loved classical music but soon started listening to rock bands like the Doors and Led Zeppelin. He also became a big fan of blues music, especially artists like Son House and Blind Willie McTell.
When he was 15, he started an apprenticeship to learn upholstery (fixing furniture). The man he worked for, Brian Muldoon, introduced him to punk music. They even started a band together called The Upholsterers.
As a teenager, he met Meg White at a restaurant where she worked. They got married in 1996, and he took her last name. He started his own upholstery business called Third Man Upholstery. Its slogan was "Your Furniture's Not Dead."
Career in Music
1997–2004: The White Stripes
Jack White's first professional music job was as a drummer for the band Goober & the Peas. After that band broke up, he worked as an upholsterer during the day. At night, he played music in local bands.
In 1997, Meg White started learning to play the drums. Jack said that when she played with him, it felt "liberating and refreshing." They decided to form a band called The White Stripes. They told people they were brother and sister to keep the focus on their music. They famously only wore red, white, and black clothes.
The White Stripes became part of Detroit's garage rock scene. In 1999, they released their first album, The White Stripes. Their next album, De Stijl, also became very popular.
Their 2001 album, White Blood Cells, made them famous worldwide. Critics loved its simple, powerful sound. Their next album, Elephant (2003), was also a huge success. Its first single, "Seven Nation Army", became their most famous song. It is often played at sports games and rallies.
2005–2011: New Bands and Projects
The White Stripes' fifth album, Get Behind Me Satan (2005), had a different sound. It featured more piano and even a marimba. Around this time, White started a new band called The Raconteurs with his friend Brendan Benson. Their first album, Broken Boy Soldiers, came out in 2006 and was a big hit.
The White Stripes released their sixth album, Icky Thump, in 2007. It was a return to their blues-rock sound. The band toured across Canada, playing in every province and territory. However, they had to cancel later tour dates because Meg was dealing with anxiety.
In 2009, White formed another new band, The Dead Weather. In this group, he played drums and sang. The band included singer Alison Mosshart from The Kills. They released their first album, Horehound, that same year.
On February 2, 2011, The White Stripes announced they were breaking up. Jack White said it was not because of any problems between them. He said they wanted "to preserve what is beautiful and special about the band."
2012–Present: A Successful Solo Career
In 2012, Jack White released his first solo album, Blunderbuss. It went to number one on the Billboard 200 chart. For his tour, he had two different bands, one all-male and one all-female. He would switch between them for different shows.
His second solo album, Lazaretto (2014), also hit number one. It broke the record for the most vinyl album sales in one week. After a long tour, he took a break from performing live.
In 2018, White released his third solo album, Boarding House Reach. It had a more experimental sound, inspired by hip-hop artists. This album also reached number one on the charts. In 2019, The Raconteurs got back together to release a new album, Help Us Stranger.
In 2022, White released two solo albums. The first was a rock album called Fear of the Dawn. The second was a folk album called Entering Heaven Alive. In 2024, he released his sixth solo album, No Name, which returned to his classic blues-rock sound.
Other Work and Interests
Third Man Records
In 2001, White co-founded Third Man Records. In 2009, he opened a building for the label in Nashville. It includes a record store, a performance stage, and a recording studio. The studio uses old-fashioned analog equipment to record music. Third Man Records releases music on vinyl for White's bands and many other artists.
Helping His Community
White has given money to support many causes, especially in his hometown of Detroit. In 2009, he donated money to fix a baseball field in a local park. In 2013, he paid the back taxes for the historic Detroit Masonic Temple, saving it from being sold. The temple renamed one of its theaters the Jack White Theater to thank him. He also gave a large donation to the National Recording Preservation Foundation to help save old sound recordings.
Musical Style and Instruments
White is known for his love of analog technology and vintage instruments. He believes that using older equipment creates a more authentic sound. He often uses guitars from the 1950s and 1960s. One of his most famous guitars is a red 1964 Airline model.
He is also known for his unique and powerful guitar playing. He uses special effects pedals to create interesting sounds. For example, he uses a pedal to make his guitar sound like a bass guitar on the song "Seven Nation Army". Besides guitar, he also plays piano, drums, and mandolin.
Personal Life
White is a private person and does not share much about his family. He was married to his bandmate Meg White from 1996 to 2000. From 2005 to 2013, he was married to British model and singer Karen Elson. They have two children, a daughter named Scarlett and a son named Henry. In 2022, he married musician Olivia Jean. They live in Nashville, Tennessee.
White has a strong interest in politics. He has supported candidates he believes in and has spoken out on issues like voting rights. He does not like his music being used for political campaigns that he does not support.
Discography
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Solo albums
With The White Stripes
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With The Raconteurs
With The Dead Weather
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Images for kids
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White was married to his White Stripes bandmate Meg White (left) from 1996 to 2000.
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He was married to Karen Elson (middle) from 2005 to 2013.
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He married Olivia Jean (right) in 2022.
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White with Dominic Davis (far-left), Patrick Keeler (center-right), and Bobby Emmett (far-right) during the No Name tour.
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See also
In Spanish: Jack White para niños
