The Detroit rock band, The White Stripes, rose to fame in the 2000s, becoming one of the most popular rock acts globally. The band, consisting of Jack and Meg White, formed in 1997 after they met several years prior. Jack, originally born as John Anthony Gillis, married Meg, and they both took on her surname. Meg initially played the drums for Jack's various bands, but it was during their time with The White Stripes that she found her groove.
Their self-titled debut album was released in 1999, and their breakout hit came with the release of their third album, "White Blood," in 2001. The album's success was largely due to songs like "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground" and "Fell in Love with a Girl." Despite their initial divorce in 2000, the pair continued with the band. They released three more albums, including "Elephant" in 2003, "Get Behind Me Satan" in 2005, and "Icky Thump" in 2007.
By 2007, the band's popularity and the pace of their touring schedule began to take a toll on Meg's mental health. She expressed her concerns to the band's archivist, predicting it would be their last show. Despite this, they continued to tour, and their final show was scheduled for July 31, 2007, in Southaven, Mississippi. However, a day before their September tour, they announced that their upcoming dates were canceled due to Meg's acute anxiety and inability to travel.
In 2009, the band announced their breakup, stating it was not due to artistic differences or health issues. Their statement was mainly to preserve what was beautiful and special about the band. Meg White dropped out of the public eye and lived a private life in Detroit. She remarried in 2009 to guitarist Jackson Smith, but they divorced in 2013.
Despite the band's breakup, there have been rumors and speculations about potential reunions. In 2020, they announced a greatest hits collection, creating an official Instagram account, which sparked hope among fans. However, nothing has come of it so far. In 2024, The White Stripes will be eligible for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, raising hopes for a potential reunion.
1. The White Stripes, a Detroit rock band, transitioned from indie darlings to one of the most popular rock acts in the world during the 2000s.
2. The band's time came to an end in 2009, although they didn't make it official until a few years later.
3. There were warning signs that the band was done almost five years before they announced their breakup.
4. The White Stripes were formed in 1997 after Jack White, originally born John Anthony Gillis, asked Meg to play the drums.
5. The pair would eventually divorce in 2000, but they chose to continue with the band.
6. The White Stripes released their self-titled debut album in 1999 and their breakout hit, "White Blood Cells," in 2001.
7. The band released three more albums, including 2003's "Elephant," 2005's "Get Behind Me Satan," and their final record, 2007's "Icky Thump."
8. The White Stripes announced their breakup in 2011, stating that it was not due to artistic differences or health issues, but to preserve the beauty and specialness about the band.
9. Meg White dropped out of the public eye and lived a private life in Detroit after the band's breakup.
10. Jack White, on the other hand, moved on to other projects, including forming the band The Dead Weather in 2005.
11. In 2016, Meg and Jack White released their first public statement in response to Donald Trump's use of their song in a campaign commercial.
12. The White Stripes are eligible for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024, 25 years after the release of their first album.
13. There have been speculations and hopes of the band reuniting, but nothing has come of it so far.