Jack White has published an original poem in defense of his former White Stripes bandmate, Meg White, amid scrutiny over his drumming abilities.
Although Meg White has retired from music and been out of the public spotlight for over a decade, a controversy about her social media abilities erupted this week in response to a tweet posted by writer Lachlan Markay. Responding to an article marking the 20th anniversary of The White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army, Markai wrote: “The tragedy of the White Stripes is how good they are with a half decent drummer. Yeah yeah, I heard it all” but it’s a carefully crafted sound! Take. I’m sorry That Meg White was awful and there’s no better band than fuzzy percussion.”
A number of drummers, including Questlove of The Roots, were quick to jump to White’s defence. “I try to leave ‘Trollscapes’ alone but this here is too far out of line,” Questlove chirp. “Actually what’s wrong with music is that people choke the life out of music like an Instagram filter – trying to reach a high level of musical perfection that doesn’t even serve the song (or music).”
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Karen Elson, who married Jack White after she and Meg White also divorced she expressed support it. “Not only is Meg White an amazing drummer, but Jack also said the White Stripes would be nothing without her. To the journalist who turned her down, keep my ex-wife’s name out of your mouth. (Please and thank you)”
Now, Jack White himself appears to have responded to the controversy in a poem posted to Instagram. White writes: “To be born in another time, any era other than our own would be a good thing.” “100 years from now, 1,000 years from now, another time far away, different. One without demons and cowards and blood-stained vampires, and another with positive inspiration to promote what is good.”
Read White’s full poem and see positive reactions to Meg from other musicians below. For his part, Markai deleted his original tweet, took his account private, and posted a six-tweet apology that can only be seen by those who have already followed him. Meanwhile, Meg is retired, she’s counting her millions, and oh yeah — she’s about to be the third female drummer ever to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
I’m trying to leave “troll views” alone but this here is out of line. Actually what’s wrong with music is that people choke the life out of music like an Instagram filter—trying to reach a high level of musical perfection that doesn’t even serve the song (or music) pic.twitter.com/hCj43qNpcG
– Delivery 5. (questlove) March 14, 2023
Not only was Meg White an amazing drummer, but Jack also said the White Stripes would be nothing without her. To the journalist who turned it down, keep my husband’s ex-wife’s name out of your mouth.
(please and thank you) https://t.co/qnnxgT3Rxh– Karen Elson (@KarenElson_) March 14, 2023
Meg White inspired me to sit behind the drum throne and pick up the sticks. Her style and the White Stripes’ music was a breath of fresh air compared to most things going on at the time.
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Anyone who talks about it wouldn’t know rock ‘n’ roll if it was a bit then in the ass pic.twitter.com/mNXO5ONdxI
– Margo Price (@MissMargoPrice) March 15, 2023
If you condemn Meg White, you are misunderstanding the very essence of what makes good music
– Ben Lee (@benleemusic) March 14, 2023
Meg White rules and always will.
– garbage (@garbage) March 16, 2023
Meg White was an incredible drummer. Rhythm is the feel, not the number of notes you can play. Does the song move? Does it make you dance? Do you feel it on a primal level? 999/1000 drummers couldn’t do it the way I did. This is a fact
– Reef. Big Damnband March 14, 2023
