Hal Horowitz/WireImage
It’s 2023 and the internet has sparked debate about Meg White’s drumming skills thanks to a thoughtless tweet. White, who helped shape the White Stripe’s raw and gritty sound from 1997 to 2011, has often been criticized for her drumming style. Her counterpart, Jack White, took to social media on Wednesday to defend her skills following the heated debate online after a journalist called her drumming a “tragedy”.
In 2002, White addressed the criticism in a rare interview with Modern Drummer. “I appreciate other types of drummers that play differently, but that’s not my style or what works for this band,” she said. “I get [criticism] sometimes, and I go through periods where it really bothers me. But then I think about it and realize that’s what this band really needs. And I just try to have as much fun with it as possible.”
Twelve years after White retired from music, the discourse on her abilities has been drawn out again after writer Lachlan Markay, while commenting on “Seven Nation Army,” tweeted earlier this week: “The tragedy of the White Stripes is how big they would get was already with a halfway decent drummer. Yeah yeah I heard all that, ‘but it’s a carefully crafted sound mannn!’ takes. I’m sorry Meg White was terrible.”
On Wednesday, Jack White posted a photo of Meg White on drums with her hair thrown in her face. “Being born in a different time, any era but our own would have been fine. In 100 years, in 1000 years, in another distant other time,” the lead singer wrote. “One free from demons, cowards and blood-thirsty vampires, one positively inspired to promote good.”
Questlove also came to Meg White’s defense, writing on social media: “I’m trying to put ‘troll views’ alone but this is out of line af. Actually, what’s wrong with music is that people choke the life out of the music like an Instagram filter—trying to reach a pinnacle of musical perfection that doesn’t even serve the song (or the music). So I go that Dilla path and play like a drunk sloppy amateur because the flaw is the human element in the music that’s missing. Real Movie >>>>>>> IG Filter Photo.”
Editors Favorites
See more
I’m trying to leave “troll views” alone, but this is out of line af. What’s actually wrong with music is the people who choke the life out of the music like an Instagram filter – trying to achieve a high of musical perfection that doesn’t even serve the song (or the music). pic.twitter.com/hCj43qNpcG
— Plug 5. (@questlove) March 14, 2023
Musician Karen Elson, who married Jack White after his divorce from Meg White, had harsher words for the hapless writer: “Not only is Meg White a fantastic drummer, Jack said the White Stripes would be nothing without her. To the journalist who dissed you, keep my ex-husband’s ex-wife’s name out of your fucking mouth. (Please and thank you)”
Trending
See more
Meg White is such a badass goddess of a woman that Jack Gillis took *HER* last name when they got married.
I like this!
Take a bow, bitches 👑 pic.twitter.com/yf8JgszulG— Renée 🌊🌊 ☮️ (@WildeRESISTER) March 13, 2023
Markay has since apologized after a wave of backlash from music journalists, musicians and fans. “By now you’ve probably seen an ill-advised (and now deleted) tweet I sent out yesterday about the White Stripes and Meg White,” he wrote on Twitter. “It was an over-the-top approach to TWS and White as a drummer and, let’s be honest, it was just really awful in every way. Petty, obnoxious, just wrong.”
Meg White, whose artistry and sheer talent made one of the most important bands of the 21st century, did not respond to Rolling Stone’s request for comment. Let’s hope that this recent debate can finally be settled.