Meg White facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Meg White
White performing in 2006
Background information
Birth name	Megan Martha White
Born	(1974-12-10) December 10, 1974 (age 50) Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, U.S.
Genres	Alternative rock blues rock garage rock indie rock punk blues
Occupation(s)	Musician actress model
Instruments	Drums vocals
Years active	1997–2011

Megan Martha White (born December 10, 1974) is an American musician who became famous as the drummer for the rock duo the White Stripes. She was known for her simple but powerful drumming style. While she usually sang backup, she sometimes sang lead vocals, like on the song "In the Cold, Cold Night".

Meg White was born in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. In the 1990s, she met Jack White, and they got married in 1996. In 1997, she started playing the drums, and soon after, she and Jack formed The White Stripes. Even though they were married, they told the public they were brother and sister. They divorced in 2000 but decided to keep the band going.

The band became world-famous with their 2001 album, White Blood Cells. This album, along with their next few, made Meg White a key artist in the garage rock revival of the 2000s. Her unique drumming style was often discussed by fans and critics.

Besides music, White also did some acting and modeling. In 2007, she had to stop touring because of severe anxiety. The White Stripes officially broke up in 2011, and White retired from the music industry. She has stayed out of the public eye since her last appearance in 2009.

White's drumming has been praised by many musicians and critics over the years. She has won six Grammy Awards with The White Stripes. In 2015, Rolling Stone magazine named her one of the "100 Greatest Drummers of All Time." In 2025, she was welcomed into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The White Stripes.

Early Life

Megan Martha White was born in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, on December 10, 1974. She has an older sister named Heather. Growing up, she was very shy and didn't talk much to other people.

After high school, White decided she wanted to be a chef instead of going to college. She worked at a restaurant in Royal Oak, where she met a young musician named Jack Gillis. They started dating and got married in 1996. They divorced in 2000.

Career with The White Stripes

How the Band Started (1997–2000)

On July 14, 1997, which is Bastille Day, Meg started playing on Jack's drum set. Jack loved the way she played and felt it was refreshing. Soon after, they formed the band the White Stripes.

They created a unique image for the band. They told everyone they were brother and sister and only wore red, white, and black clothes. They started playing shows in Detroit and became popular in the local garage rock scene. In 1999, they released their first album, The White Stripes.

White at a show in Tokyo in 2000

After they divorced in 2000, Meg wanted the band to continue. They released their second album, De Stijl, that same year. A writer for Rolling Stone magazine praised her drumming, saying it showed that you don't need to be loud and flashy to create powerful music.

Becoming Famous (2001–2006)

The White Stripes became a huge success in 2001 with their album White Blood Cells. The album included the hit single "Fell in Love with a Girl", which won three awards at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards. This album made them one of the most popular bands of the time.

In 2003, they released Elephant, which many people think is their best album. It included their most famous song, "Seven Nation Army", which became a popular anthem at sports games. The song "The Hardest Button to Button" also showed off Meg's powerful drumming. On this album, Meg sang lead vocals for the first time on the song "In the Cold, Cold Night". Elephant won a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album.

During this time, Meg also appeared in the movie Coffee and Cigarettes with Jack. In 2006, she was a guest star on the TV show The Simpsons.

The White Stripes in 2005. From left to right: Meg and Jack.

The band's fifth album, Get Behind Me Satan, came out in 2005. On this album, Meg experimented with different instruments like percussion bells and maracas. The album was a big success and won another Grammy Award.

Final Album and Breakup (2007–2011)

The White Stripes performing at a festival in 2007

The White Stripes' last album, Icky Thump, was released in 2007. It won two Grammy Awards and was praised by critics.

In September 2007, the band had to cancel their tour. Meg was dealing with acute anxiety, a health issue that made it hard for her to perform. She stayed out of the spotlight for a while but appeared in the 2009 documentary Under Great White Northern Lights, which was about their tour across Canada.

On February 2, 2011, The White Stripes announced on their website that they were breaking up. They said it wasn't because of health or disagreements, but because they wanted "to preserve what is beautiful and special about the band." Meg White has not been active in the music industry since then.

Musical Style and Legacy

Drumming Equipment

White often used a peppermint-themed drum kit (left). She changed the design for different albums, like Icky Thump (right).

Meg was famous for her peppermint-themed drum kit. Jack got the idea when they saw peppermint candy at a store. He thought it would be perfect for her bass drum. This peppermint swirl became her signature look.

She mostly used Ludwig drums and Paiste cymbals. For the Icky Thump tour, the design on her bass drum was changed to a button, inspired by the outfits she and Jack wore for the album cover.

Her Unique Drumming Style

Meg's drumming style was often described as "minimalistic" and "primal." This means she played in a simple, direct, and powerful way. Some critics didn't understand her style at first, but many musicians and fans loved it.

On "Seven Nation Army," she plays a steady beat that sounds like a heartbeat. On "Fell in Love with a Girl," her drumming is fast and energetic. Her style was a perfect match for Jack's guitar playing.

Jack White often said that Meg's drumming was the most important part of the band. He said, "It was my doorway to playing the blues."

Lasting Impact

Meg White was a major figure in the garage rock revival of the 2000s. Today, she is praised for her unique style, and many drummers look up to her.

Famous musicians have praised her drumming. Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters said she is "one of my favorite... drummers of all time." Tré Cool of Green Day also called her one of his favorite drummers.

Even though she has retired, people still talk about her impact on music. She is remembered for her powerful playing and for being a strong female presence in rock music. In 2025, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame praised her drumming as "raw, powerful, and perfectly suited to the band’s sound."

Personal Life

Meg White was married to Jack White from 1996 to 2000. When they married, Jack took her last name. In 2009, she married guitarist Jackson Smith. They divorced in 2013. White has lived in Detroit since 2014.

White is known for being very private and shy. She rarely gave interviews. In 2005, she told Rolling Stone, "the more you talk, the fewer people listen." She prefers to live a quiet life away from the public eye.

Achievements

With The White Stripes, Meg White won six Grammy Awards and one Brit Award. In 2025, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the band.

She has also been included on many "best drummer" lists, including:

• Rolling Stone – 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time (2016)
• NME – 32 of the Best Drummers to Grace Rock ‘n’ Roll (2018)
• Consequence of Sound – 100 Best Drummers of All Time (2024)

Discography

With the White Stripes

• The White Stripes (1999)
• De Stijl (2000)
• White Blood Cells (2001)
• Elephant (2003)
• Get Behind Me Satan (2005)
• Icky Thump (2007)

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Meg White para niños