Jack White breaks silence on latest swipes at ex-wife and White Stripes bandmate Meg White’s drumming – Music News
Jack White has broken his silence over recent criticism of Meg White, his ex-wife and former White Stripes bandmate.
Journalist Lachlan Markay recently sparked debate after calling the 48-year-old’s drumming skills “terrible” and suggesting that the Seven Nation Army duo would have been better had they had a “halfway decent drummer.” had.
In a since-deleted tweet, he wrote: “The tragedy of the White Stripes is how great they would have been with a halfway decent drummer.
“Yeah yeah I’ve heard all of that but it’s a carefully crafted sound mannn! takes. I’m sorry Meg White was awful and no band is better suited to having crappy percussion.”
Many have spoken out to defend Meg, including Jack’s ex-wife Karen Elson, who wrote: “Meg White isn’t just a fantastic drummer Jack [White] also said the White Stripes would be nothing without them. To the journalist who dissed you, keep my ex-husband’s ex-wife’s name out of your fucking mouth. (Please and thank you).”
And now Jack, 47, has shared a poem that denounces the “demons, cowards and vampires looking for blood” and calls for less “negativity”.
Alongside a picture of Meg on her drums, he posted on Instagram: “Being born in another time would have been fine in any era but ours. In 100 years, in 1000 years, in another distant, different time.
“One free from demons, cowards and blood-thirsty vampires, one positively inspired to promote good.”
The poem continued: “An empty field where no tall red poppies are cut down. Where we could lie on the warm and fine ground all day, every day.
“And know exactly what to say and play to conjure up our own sounds.
“And be one with the others around us.
“And even those who came before
“And serve us on all their love.
And pass it on again.
“Having bliss upon bliss. Not being afraid, negativity or pain and getting up every morning happy to do it all over again.”
Meg has been bombarded with criticism of her drumming style in the past, and while the comments sometimes angered her, the hate only spurred her on.
She previously said: “I appreciate other types of drummers that play differently, but it’s not my style or what works for this band. 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.”
The White Stripes finally broke up in 2011 for “a variety of reasons…mainly to keep what’s beautiful and special about the band.”