The White Stripes: Whatever Happened To Meg White, Drummer For the Band

The White Stripes: Whatever happened to the drummer from Jack White's band.
0:00 - Early Years & Success
2:06 - Final Tour/Performance
5:00 - Later Years
White Stripes Marriage Hoax
• The White Stripes How...
SIGN UP for 10 of the Craziest Stories in Rock N' Roll [Secret Playlist]: bit.ly/3vVPAEF
Check out our Top 25 Favourite Albums Here
rockandrolltruestories.com/
Have a video request or a topic you'd like to see us cover? Fill out our google form!
bit.ly/3stnXlN
----CONNECT ON SOCIAL----
Instagram: / rocknrolltruestories
Facebook: / rnrtruestories
Twitter: / rocktruestories
Blog: www.rockandrolltruestories.com
#thewhitestripes #megwhite #jackwhite
I cite my sources and they may differ than other people's accounts, so I don't guarantee the actual accuracy of my videos.
The Detroit rock band The White Stripes would graduate from being indie darlings to one of the most popular rock bands in the world during the 2000’s. The band’s time would come to an end in 2009 and while they wouldn’t make it official until a few years later, there were warning signs that the band was done. How did the White Stripes get to this point and whatever happened to drummer Meg White? Despite the inactivity from the band, fans of the group can look forward to one thing a few years from now. That’s what we’re going to explore in today’s video.
Prior to the White Stripes forming in 1997 Meg and Jack White would meet several years prior, date and eventually get married. Jack would take Meg’s surname as he was originally born John Anthony Gillis. The pair would meet in 1996 at Meg’s place of work, a Detroit restaurant called Memphis Smoke. Jack was playing in a variety of bands around the city including Two Star Tabernacle, The Hentchmen and Goober and the Peas. It would be one night in 1997 when Jack was working on new music that he asked Meg to play the drums. He would recall to Rolling Stone in 2008 “When she started to play drums with me, just on a lark, it felt liberating and refreshing. There was something in it that opened me up.” And so the White Stripes would be born. While the pair would eventually divorce in 2000 they opted to continue with he band.. The pair initially made it seem to the press that they were brother and sister, but the press would eventually find proof of their marriage and this is a topic I’ve done a whole video on, the link is down below.
The White Stripes would release their self titled debut album in 1999 and their follow up in 2000. They would release their third album White Blood Cells in 2001 and it would prove to be their breakout hit thanks to the songs Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground and Fell in Love WIth a Girl. The band would continue to have major success with three more albums including 200’s Elephant, 2005’s Get Behind Me Satan and their final record 2007’s Icky Thump.
On July 31, 2007 the White Stripes were set to take the stage in Southhaven, Mississippi at the Snoweden Grove Park Amphitheater. Meg White would apparently turn to the band’s archivist and utter the words “I think this is the last White Stripes Show”. The band was out on the road promoting what was their latest and last release of their career Icky Thump, which went to number 2 on the charts. The band had spent the last two months traveling across Europe and North America and their stop in Southaven was to be their last on this leg of the tour before playing dates along the pacific northwest, the California coast, south central states and Hawaii in September and October.
But literally a day before their September tour started, the band announced that their upcoming dates were canceled putting out a statement that read “The White Stripes announced today that they are canceling their forthcoming tour due to health issues. Meg White is suffering from acute anxiety and is unable to travel at this time.
The White Stripes sincerely apologize to their fans.
"We hate to let people down and are very sorry."
A few days later the band also cancelled their 8 date UK tour which was set to take place in october and november of the same year.
Jack White would look back telling music radar that the pace at which the band was touring and their heightened popularity only worsened Meg’s mental health revealing “Meg is a very shy girl, a very quiet and shy person. We were playing two shows a day in Canada, then we'd fly to France and do a TV show there, then we were back in England on tour, and we were just killin' it, man. The train was out of control.”
The band’s camp went quiet in 2008 with Jack White forming the band The Dead Weather and continuing work with the Raconteurs a band that was formed in 2005. Despite the lack of activity from the White Stripes camp in an interview White would do in 2009 he wou

[@rnrtruestories]

Think we’ll ever see a White Stripes reunion? kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2auf4WZbt11iLc

[@TehPlayground]

No. Jack never stopped even when the White Stripes existed. They stopped because Meg wanted to stop. And Jack won't do it without Meg.

[@thedogfromraditude5449]

Probably not given the circumstances. But I’m not complaining, since Jack’s other stuff is also really good and he still plays The White Stripes stuff at solo concerts. Meg’s drumming is missing, but Jack still shreds.

[@seereadnhear]

Only at the R&R HALL OF FAME

[@alexander_dean]

No, and I'd be very surprised if Meg would even show up for a hall of fame ceremony.

[@book3100]

I hope not

[@spamwagon]

I'm a lifelong drummer, and as I watch Meg play, I feel a certain pleasant anxiety as she threatens to waver on the tempo, but she never really does. Because of this, and Jack's unique approach to the guitar, there is a palpable thread of chaos woven through the music that to me, is a cornerstone of its appeal.

[@juallhuce]

This feels right. It’s like she’s playing at the very front of the beat, never really finding the pocket. Its not wrong or even bad. It’s hard to Bob my head to that type of drumming though.

[@Bingbing611]

I am a drummer also 50 years of performing and intense analysis of others. Meg is special , indeed. No need to apologize for her work

[@thomasandersen1784]

Just like Charlie W. in the Stones. A little off and u have that dangerous appeal to it all.

[@benjaminmirt5029]

honestly meg is one of the most innovative drummers of all time in my book.

[@AlexandroLavichez]

​@@benjaminmirt5029are you joking? She is too simple

[@baileyjones5744]

Yes her drumming is simple. But people sleep on just how important she was to the white stripes. Their whole sound is perfect for Meg's drumming. Can you imagine a more flashy and technical drummer on Seven Nation Army. That song wouldn't be the same. What she did was allow jack the freedom to play his guitar how he wants too.

[@florencehenderson3707]

right... and I can see how that role could get boring for her if she wasn't trying to expand her playing more. "playing to allow Jack..." could get boring. and hey, the truth is that no one will ever know her real feelings about it all.. just speculating here... but Jack did make it sound like she was bored. certainly there is a fine art in simplicity, and all due respect... I think a female drummer brings a cool energy to a band almost no matter what she is doing... but there is that factor of boredom when keeping things simple. and hey, that could be why it's so hard to pull off... I used to play and would get bored with 4/4 time etc... there is always that temptation to do "too much" as a drummer, too, when your first job is just to hold down the rhythm... // it's complicated. I guess Spinal Tap had 7 or so drummers die in freak accidents, and Keith Moon was a complete spazz both on and offstage... what can ya do?

[@brianvillage5]

@@florencehenderson3707 the truth is every artists wants to have their voice come through when they’re playing their instrument. They may be writing a part to a song that is already written but that doesn’t mean they can’t put their touch on it which in turn makes the song more special than it would’ve been. If everything Meg did was distilled to allow jack his musical freedom I can see how that would get boring for her. I applaud her for the way she handled everything, no fighting no arguing and she didn’t try to hold on and keep doing it for the money. She just let it be what it was.

[@noeyes6151]

I play bass, for fun at home, and while i only try to play one style of music it does get boring, if i was in a band id give it a year.

[@DaveTaste]

"People sleep on, Underrated, why is no one talking about" etc. The most self important type of comments on KZbin.

[@AlexanderKnollwood]

Truth! That got me thinking…. Hearing Jack play 7 Nation with his solo group, for instance , leaves a weird feeling of something being missing. Ironically too, because there are so many more players doing flashier things (especially the drummmers) Meg provided a ridiculous amount of space between hits of equally ridiculous velocity and intensity (most of her her snare hits are doubled with a crash). Her style is totally anaerobic and that’s what makes her and the band unique.

[@MonkeyBars1]

I met Meg right before they canceled that tour and we became pals for a minute as we were neighbors. We bonded over our shared love of music. She was going through a rough time but was very open and kind. Very unique drummer and rhythmic feel of course. She kept me entertained with some wild stories! I wish her all the best and a happy life out of the public eye. 😊

[@oliviagrace837]

That’s so cool!!

[@surfsup5757]

How about sharing some of those wild stories

[@MonkeyBars1]

@@surfsup5757 One I think (perhaps already known by some) she wouldn't mind me sharing regards Meg's fashion on stage, specifically footwear. She preferred drumming barefoot, which you don't see often for good reason: she would often come offstage with feet split open and bleeding copiously. So she had a shoe designer create a special pair just for her to play her kit in. They looked a bit like biking shoes, not meant to be walked in

[@masterofreality230]

@@MonkeyBars1 Yea, I could see why a drummer might prefer socks, could help you with fast bass drum beats, but barefoot seems like it would not help anything, well, besides removing any barrier between you and your instrument.

[@BrooksBabbling]

I don't believe you

[@kozanton]

I'm a staunch Meg White defender. I love her drumming, I think it's a perfect compliment to Jack White's style at the time. I thought it was organic and Intuitive.

[@florencehenderson3707]

she might have been pretty bored with it, though. maybe she wasn't so interested in growing as a drummer, and if not, then yeah, she'd be pretty bored sitting there with Jack's amazing playing all the time. I'm thinking of another drummer I know who also has a "simple style". When the band started to develop, it didn't seem like she really felt a part of it, and, well... it just seems like maybe that style of drumming has its limitations, especially for the drummer.. how many hours can you spend sitting there hitting the same beats with no attachment to the songwriting? 🤷‍♀🤷‍♀

[@MasterBlaster3545]

Sounds like a miserablekunt

[@florencehenderson3707]

@@MasterBlaster3545 you would know, right ?

[@florencehenderson3707]

@@MasterBlaster3545 I just mean, anyone who likes to verbally abuse people probably knows a lot about misery. Don't you think so ?

[@florencehenderson3707]

@@MasterBlaster3545 you know, it's interesting, there are people who abuse other people, and then they cannot figure out why others wouldn't want to be around them. Have you had this experience ? Or do you pretty much get it when you chase people away with your blatant abuse ?

[@samcoon6699]

Meg did something that many many people only dream of. Good for her. She is now hopefully enjoying her life being out of the public eye. Good for her.

[@SWpurgatory]

Ya....in Detroit....ech

[@lanabanana68]

yes 🤩

[@boxlid214]

Well she does like things simple, and you "can't have shit in Detroit" 😅

[@seanmurphy6480]

SO DO I

[@AL-sp2vq]

She's set for life with all the royalties.

[@scottbubb2946]

Personally, I like The White Stripes better than anything Jack did afterward. Maybe that says more about me than about them. I don't know. I just loved the raw, gritty minimalist thing they had going. But, who am I? Nobody.

[@xwhite2020]

That's pretty much what everyone thinks.

[@pauliuspaskevicius6600]

a lot would agree with you

[@nunyafunyuns]

You're not alone bro

[@owenf9471]

I saw him in august and it was sick. He’s so much better in person I’m not a fan of his new stuff on the album but when he’s playing it live he rocks out

[@nunyafunyuns]

@@owenf9471 How long was the set? I hear he does really short sets.

[@lxine1868]

I saw The White Stripes open for Sleater Kinney, and at the time I had never heard of the band. But the moment they came on stage, the energy and music was just jaw dropping. It was immediately obvious that this band had the X factor and was about to blow up.

[@tiefensucht]

Nice combination and at least, Sleater Kinney came together again :)

[@GraveyardTricks]

Don't make me picture them on x factor

[@pray4powguideservices498]

LXINE , where at? That had to be great show! I drove down Sleater Kinney Rd yesterday lol

[@lxine1868]

@@pray4powguideservices498 This was in Montreal in 2000 - hard to believe it was so long ago! I still remember the energy of that show!

[@unholyroller11]

OMFG

[@mradriankool]

The fact is Meg White was the drummer in the white stripes....and that’s rock history. She’s a rock icon.

[@santoy1000]

😂😂😂😂 sober up lol she’s the worst drummer Iv ever seen let’s be honest here ffs

[@eskylent7962]

Why? Because she was a woman?? Ever heard of Karen Carpenter? No shade on Meg, but??

[@alexandersupertramp7353]

​@@iridium8341 👈 Someone's mad a woman accomplished more in her, than YOU did, yours 😂😂😂😂

[@Krae75]

⁠@@eskylent7962 no because she isn’t a great drummer good not great . Certainly not good enough to be a rock legend

[@littlefurnace]

@@Krae75 You don't have to be technically great to be an icon. Look at Sid Vicious. It's about being part of an era-defining moment

[@stitchgrimly6167]

That Neil Peart thing is hilarious. How could anyone not get the joke?

[@fu6817]

What's so fun about mocking Meg for being not good at playing drums? Or did i miss the joke? Are you the joke? Now i'm confucius.

[@brigwood7658]

Beggars belief actually. It's like, "who can we think of who is basically THE most polar opposite to Neil peart in all aspects of drumming? Oh I know ... Meg White!" I mean, that's the entire point! it's like Keith Richards is replacing Eddie Van Halen; Bob Dylan is replacing Freddie Mercury; Leonard Cohen is replacing Brian Johnson (ACDC) .... Marilyn Manson is replacing Posh Spice .. Lol. if only! (man I'd actually pay good money to see that!)

[@samcoon6699]

People are stupid.

[@MentallyRetardedHamilton]

@@brigwood7658 can we hang out, you're on

[@clutch1141]

@@fu6817 Well, she was a professional drummer and she wasn't very good. The white stripes were in large part an aesthetic and it worked for commercial success, so right, who cares? But still, it is funny to put her on the same playing field with other professional drummers as a passing joke. Not the height of hilarity, but still a solid chuckle.

[@ecsantana]

I really LOVE the vibe Meg brought to the table: it's the raw and complex of Jack's against the raw and simple of Hers. and God almighty, it worked so flawlessly... we can just hope they'll get together again.

[@Mano1963]

Much as I love him, and everything he has done. I don't think he will ever surpass the stuff he did with Meg.

[@Music_Head]

It was OK not that great. So funny to see you typing words o9n this platform again

[@Leg0z]

Meg White sat perfectly in the White Stripes songs. I'm a drummer and I've always believed that she is phenomenal at what she does.

[@johnd3124]

her playing style or even ability actually suits their music well

[@Music_Head]

I heard some of her stuff... it's not bad and definitely not perfect. Overall, you should re-asses what you believe.

[@santoy1000]

Fs 😂😂😂

[@MatadorJimmy]

You mean how simplistic her style was?

[@ronhall5395]

She knew her job, and did it to perfection. Jack might feel she had no enthusiasm for the songs, but you don't perform to that high a level with out emotion. She is just an introvert. Nothing wrong with that.

[@rocknrollmonkey8668]

I wasn't into that part of the Detroit scene when White Stripes were coming up, but I did meet Meg in 2002 when I was working in a music store. I knew who she was, and I have a thing about not treating famous people any different than anyone else while they're shopping. She had 2 people with her, and they bought a tambourine and a couple other small items. She was very cute and shy, and didn't say much, but was seemingly happy, laughing and smiling a lot. Hope she's doing well.

[@edwardschmitt5710]

I know what you mean. Bon Jovi and Bruce Springstein live near me. I have stood next to both of them, Bruce I have spoken to. Bruce is really low key, everyone around here likes him. Jon not so much, I have a few negative stories.

[@frontsidegrinder6858]

That has got true style man, people are people - that's it.. In the near here where i live is one famous guy and you know what, if we random meet, he normall greets first, nice!!

[@strumbadstroller7350]

So much has been said about Meg's drumming. The fact is that playing live together they were F---ing Dynamite! In my humble opinion Jack is always & always will be Great, but with just him & Meg as a band, they created sheer Magic.

[@perceivedvelocity9914]

Some people love being famous and others hate it.

[@88_TROUBLE_88]

Yeah, it sucks when you can't go anywhere without someone whispering to their friend "Oh shit look there he is it's that guy with the astonishingly tremendous genitalia! It's the horse dude! Quick get a selfie with him hurry!!" or snickering with their homies "Check it out, ese - It's that pinche burro vato, homes.. Let's go see what this vato's got, carnal.." They give you crazy nicknames in other countries like "El Güero Burro" south of the border or "Bebeğin Kolu" in Turkey, or 信じられないほど大きなペニス in Japan, etc.. Like, it starts out fun enough but gets old eventually, every thot always trying to slip you their contact info on the sly despite being with 2 hot broads already, throwing their undergarments at you when you're trying to board a flight, and just all kinds of other pestersome annoyances..

[@arthurmurfitt7698]

fame is overrated...

[@jackblack2321]

I love it..

[@getsome4806]

Whoa...that's, like...DEEP, man.

[@dappergreens4555]

Oh don’t laugh at 9-11 again. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@sjeanmacleod]

Meg don't need no attention. She did what she did and stands by it. That's all anyone really needs to know.

[@andrewclough660]

And he (jack) should just shut the fuck up talking about her... she don't need his input !

[@dongately2817]

Saw The White Stripes play in Cleveland, during a snowstorm, for maybe 40 people, right before they hit it big. I have no idea how long they actually played for, seemed like hours and hours, but it was a casual show with Jack having beers on stage and talking with the audience. He would direct comments and questions Meg’s way but she would just smile or give one word answers and keep playing. They both seemed chill and happy.

[@ericv7720]

There is some documentary footage of the White Stripes in the studio, with Jack being nit-picky about some bell on Meg's drum kit, and Meg was saying something like "Ok, really? Stop it already!" It seems that he is the perfectionist musician type, which obviously caused their marriage to go south, and their working relationship as well, in addition to her stage fright and just being a very private person.

[@WhyTheHorseface]

Seems that he was a musician, and she was a waitress he wanted to bang and he put her behind a drumset on a lark.

[@walkaz]

There’s some footage of her on pornhub too

[@ericv7720]

@@WhyTheHorseface Well, she'll never have to work as a waitress again, as much as she hated being a musician and having to deal with Jack!

[@sendthis9480]

No…I mean maybe. But she’s just ABSOLUTELY horrible! She can’t even carry a 4/4. I saw them live once…dude had to stand by her kit and nod on the down-beats…like an 8-year olds garage band. I can play better with my feet. Seriously. The girl is horrible. Plain and simple.

[@Ottophil]

@@sendthis9480 thats why we liked her. Good drummers suck

[@adamlassiter1296]

I've been in a band like this. I have a feeling he's meticulous and she's relaxed and more about feeling it.

[@Meerkatx5]

Hope Meg is well and happy. I have nothing but great memories of this band growing up in the 90s.

[@X66966]

Her drumming was simple yet very affective. 🔥

[@stoner4378]

fr , kurt cobain proved music has not got to be complicated to be good

[@funkytransport]

@Metal Head and the blues guys before that

[@anapoda3081]

simple indeed

[@Falicydooper]

Obviously you werk 4 So-knee

[@lshtar777]

Her drumming was a gimmick.

[@MrDlt123]

I believe Jack was part of the reason Meg left. Regardless, money gives you better options to leave, and I can appreciate that Meg had the money to decide it was no longer worth it to her to continue touring. We only have one life, and no amount of money can change that.

[@chrisscanlon3717]

White is the real deal a true musician...she was just pretending to be one.

[@tohellwithyourcrap8045]

@@chrisscanlon3717 Your opinion is edgy and might get you some attention but the white stripes died when Meg left. Jack hasn't made anything as good as the white stripes in his many projects since then no matter how many times he tries.

[@MrDlt123]

@@tohellwithyourcrap8045 I agree. Lots of musicians arent technically proficient but have made huge contributions to music. I'm a drummer, but I play guitar on the side, and I'm pretty sure I could have played circles around Kurt Cobain on the guitar. Ringo, Charlie Watts and Phil Rudd were all better drummers than Meg, but they were hardly technical, and didnt need to be for the type of music they played. Jack White himself said he preferred her to any other drummer because of her simplicity. As long as she did her part and contributed to the songs, who cares if she was an astounding musician?

[@sheddingmyvelvet]

@@tohellwithyourcrap8045 fear of the dawn is better than some stripes albums idc

[@FenderBender5150]

She got tired of playing the same 4 notes over and over and over

[@dav6rtt617]

Jack White was great in Edward Scissor Hands

[@SuperBroncosguy]

Lol.

[@midnightrambler8866]

Lol? Lmfao!

[@tungtobak]

Jack Whammy Pedal Hands

[@ILikeSkulls666]

Some jokes are just disrespectful lol

[@rinaticson390]

🤣

[@kerrykrishna]

I just want Meg to be OK and prosper at whatever SHE wants. Nothing else. I loved her right from the start, and even was praying for her for a while there. She wants to be alone in Detroit, let her be. She will always be my Hero in the story of these two, and I wish her happiness overflowing. We love ya Meg!

[@StellaMcFly]

This! I agree completely.

[@CassandrashadowcassMorrison]

Being old I can tell you that what happened to Meg basically mirrors what happened to Mary Livingston (who was swooped up by the late superstar of radio, television, AND movies Jack Benny, while she was working at a department store as a counter girl. They worked together well, their chemistry was awesome, but her stage fright got the better of her and she basically quit show business. The only difference here is that Jack and Mary never divorced.

[@chloescat]

Meg is awesome, a wonderful part of a group that shaped my late teens and early twenties. I love you Meg, you alright with me. ❤️🥁

[@Kinnakeeter]

She's one of the most underrated drummers in music history.

[@davidirwin1549]

Remember Meg White from her days working at the Memphis Smoke just after Jack had met her and she was telling me about the prior band Jack was still in. Real nice lady !

[@TMacGamer]

So, you still never told us "whatever happened to Meg White." This was basically a short biography on the band with a few feuds added in. Where is she now? Is she working? What happened to her?

[@slickmechanical]

She's living like a normie and doesn't want public attention.

[@debbieattwell]

A fact seemingly lost to history is that there was a porn video where the actress had a vague resemblance to Meg, that was usually listed as Meg, being circulated just prior to the tour being cancelled. I kept hearing about it at the time, and as a private person, it must have been stressful to have people asking her if it was her in the video. I still believe this is one of the reasons for her anxiety to be worse at that time, and tipping her over the edge to quit.

[@lunacavemoth]

exactly . i can't imagine, especially as a woman and especially as someone who values her privacy a lot. I really really felt for her. She was and remains one of my biggest women role models.

[@johncollins5552]

I never saw Meg in person and she looks real cute in the photos and videos but one night on a deserted street in the West of Ireland, I saw Jack White walking down the middle of the road on a one way street in my town Galway. He looked like a ghost, strange vibe off that guy, seems Megs not the only quiet one. Love the music and his upholstery work is brilliant!

[@m007mm]

Lot's of people think i'm looking angry... When I'm just thinking.

[@TreyyDaMenaceFan]

source: TRUST ME BRO

[@srford50]

This was just about Meg, you didn't mention anything about what happened to her or what she is currently doing

[@junked5214]

Meg's beautiful simplicity is a huge part of what makes The White Stripes so amazing. You don't always have to have the most technical playing for it to sound good and resonate with people.

[@MrBillRizer]

I saw the White Stripes a few times, the first was in London very early on at Shepherds Bush either just before the first album released or just after. My mate said John Peel said they were the best live band he'd seen since Led Zeppelin. They come on stage, start playing and I turned to my mate and said "when's the bass coming on?" Genuinely thinking that other members of the band were gonna appear. He said "This IS the band". It clicked with me, was a brilliant performance and I saw them years later again at Alexander Palace.

[@frontsidegrinder6858]

hahha nice. Maybe for the bass go watching Les Claypool, yes.

[@dsgp7835]

I love Meg, I loved her primal style of playing. I was lucky enough to see The White Stripes, a super sonic experience. Long live The White Stripes.

[@thatsmynamesowhat2949]

Dude, “primal style of playing” couldn’t have been more perfectly stated. Well said.

[@VideoCesar07]

You hit the nail on the head. It always rubbed me wrong how the drummer snobs always criticized her style, even going as far as saying that she could not play and had no skill. I felt that she just did her own thing for the style of the band and it worked perfectly for them. Not every musician has to play an insanely complex piece to be good.

[@dugfriendly]

"What Jack says about Meg White" would be a better title for the vid. Dude has put out a lot of music I've loved, but he is an egomaniac.

[@r.p.mcmurphy6623]

Um, most great artists are...

[@unprofound]

Yep, that's the exact accurate title! 🤣

[@liveoak7838]

so what happened to Meg? Where is she now? The title is misleading since you don't know what happened to her. the title should be "what happened to the white stripes?"

[@dynjarren8355]

I don’t blame her one bit. She’s very shy and private and probably made enough money to retire. Plus who knows how hard it was to work with Jack. He looks like he’s a perfectionist. Try pleasing him. Forget it. She made the right call.

[@MrYatesj1]

Something tells me Meg has not picked up a pair of drum sticks in a long long while.

[@santoy1000]

Because she realises that she cant go any further than an extremely basic 4/4 half beat

[@William_Stephens]

I get it. in my teens and twenties I wanted and would’ve loved to be a rockstar. Now, near my my mid 30s, if I had been as successful financially and musically as she is, I would’ve done the same thing. Took a step back and enjoyed my life and the fruits of my labor.mSettled down, traveled for leisure and stared a family.

[@shadowbanned5164]

The White Stripes live concerts were hi energy and very unique Meg was very much a part of that uniqueness.

[@vestaxwax]

The most shocking tidbit in this video is that it's been 25 years since their first LP.

[@belltolls1984]

That fact is so depressing.

[@wisdomseeker3362]

​@@belltolls1984 No doubt. 😢

[@Journey-of-1000-Miles]

I ❤️ Meg’s drumming! Her style is minimalist, but it serves the music! The spaces that she conserves, only add power to the song!

[@rushwxllehrush9631]

i think its very similar to kurt cobains/tom delonge style, where its hard and punchy and powerful, but its very simple.

[@remoevans7847]

Let’s not pretend Meg’s simple, minimalist style was by choice.

[@rikijett310]

I think she described it as tribal.

[@The_Savage_Wombat]

I don't really enjoy complex, technical drumming. It's too busy and distracting to the song.

[@oliverharvey3792]

Megs style is shit. Fact, but no one says it.

[@GarrettLoganGriffin]

Man those last 3 albums were bangers.

[@davidtingley9978]

One of the few bands who ended with their best album

[@haywoodjblome4768]

@@davidtingley9978 wasn't aware elephant was their last album

[@joeymorvant161]

Love The White Stripes! I also love that angle where people didn't know whether them to be siblings or exes. I know that just oozes creepiness, but I also don't know if any other band had that particular air of mystery surrounding them. If nothing else, it was damned original.

[@theomindell3572]

I always love your breakdown of history… it’s always a lot more facts and timeline based… but it’s got enough of a personal dive into the trials and tribulations into what any artist has been through without it sinking into tabloid territory

[@yostabbastabba1864]

I was at the last show in Southaven, MS. They were pretty late coming out so I can only assume it was Meg's anxiety and/or the fact she wanted that to be the last show. BTW, it was a fantastic show.

[@memorydrain7806]

I bet she's cool as hell. Put in her time, cashed out, and living a private life. Smart.

[@colinfew6570]

Meg is an iconic drummer. drummer that reached the heights she has. some of the most famous licks ever dropped on the drums. Meg is bad ass and deserves all the love

[@santoy1000]

😂😂😂😂😂 fs behave mate

[@kevinrob616]

Most famous licks? You mean 4/4 kick, snare, kick ,snare crash? Iconic

[@santoy1000]

@@kevinrob616 exactly, mediocre would be a huge compliment to her

[@kevinrob616]

nothing wrong with liking her and there's nothing wrong with her playing like that, she's playing the music for the song. But I don't really see anything iconic about it

[@ashtonturner2862]

I have nothing but love and respect for Meg White. I hope she's doing well.

[@lanabanana68]

me too.

[@thedogfromraditude5449]

Meg wasn’t the most technically skilled drummer, but the way she made even the most basic drum beats so pummeling, especially with the snare and cymbals, is what made her a legend. Few drummers can sound that raw and formal at the same time. I hope she’s doing well now, even if a White Stripes reunion doesn’t happen.

[@TiOZAO1966]

A "legend" ???? 😂 Oh, boy... Fans are the most pathetic creatures slithering around the surface of this planet!

[@SeanReyesGirdle.]

She had a knack for putting out an amateurish, beginner's level sound. So hard to find nowadays.

[@nimrodery]

@@SeanReyesGirdle. Even beginners fill, terribly. Not hearing any beginners driving the song like Meg, and her instincts for what to play were far ahead of many drummers with decades of experience. If drummers like Meg were easy to find, rock music wouldn't be pretty close to dead. Plus she's one of the only drummers who can't be replaced by a robot.

[@LukeAndreLopez]

Meg White is awesome, so effortlessly cool.

[@denisefreitas6727]

Totally agree.

[@ahones2255]

What an incredible band they were, his guitar playing was outstanding as were her drums; they created imaginative, original and beautiful music indeed. True artists in every sense of the word, something so scarce that deserves praise. After writing this guess I'll get high and play Blackpool's DVD, my tribute today to this great couple.

[@pumpkinking5397]

I hope they get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame one day. They definitely deserve it

[@anapoda3081]

for what lol? one simplistic song?

[@jamesprouty7792]

🤣yea, right after my old garage band!

[@lanabanana68]

hear hear.

[@mccarthy5825]

I remember first hearing about them around White Blood Cells. There was a big Mojo article about them and even at that point the brother/sister thing hadn't been debunked widely yet. Their videos started getting more play, especially Fell In Love with A Girl. The whole indie rock revival had begun to simmer with the Libertines and Interpol and White Stripes had the tunes to back up the huge amount of press they got for their aesthetic, the mystery of their relationship, the stuff Jack would come out with, self imposed limits apparently they had making music like using the same old cheap guitar etc, the whole novelty of them... When SNA came out that was it... Just boom... Couldn't get away from the song! But age they had the tunes... Blue Orchid and the Floria Sigismondi video is by far my favourite and Get Behind Me Satan and Icky Thump are two cracking good records. In the last few years a picture of Meg with a fan popped up and unfortunately plenty of nasty comments were made about her weight. But she looked happy and if she has the life she wants then more power to her. Hopefully she's financially comfortable and happy in herself and that's all that matters. I can't say there's much of Jack's output since that's really caught my attention.

[@dirtywater5336]

This didn’t tell us what she’s doing now, as the title promised

[@unprofound]

Yep. BS clickbait. Shame, too, as it's a nice, brief nostalgic look back at an awesome band. But, yep, gotta lie for clicks...

[@Jason-hg1pc]

By the time I heard of them it was following their explosively successful third album, but since I'm of the Death- and Speed-Metal genre, they came out of nowhere and then I laid eyes on her behind the drums and among my circle everyone (for unknown reasons) claimed they were siblings, not married. I loved the music and never researched the truth, so your presentation is (to put it mildly) not only educational, but has reawakened the romantic yearnings she inspired the first time, but without the drama. So thank you.🤘

[@Tiffany-Rose]

I saw them once at the Greek in Berkeley CA. That girl can keep time like no other. She and Jack have this almost cosmic timing that is rare and even though some would call her drumming simplistic, sometimes thats exactly what you need. Without her the music wouldn't have had that raw, gritty drive that the White Stripes are known for. Having anxiety myself i cant even imagine how hard it was to do what she did. I hope shes at least happy.

[@jaykelley103]

She would rush/drag the tempo constantly live...

[@Tiffany-Rose]

@@jaykelley103 Not when I saw them, not on many performances I've seen. Lots of drummers do that same thing though. I've even caught drummers on CD recordings, big famous bands, where that happens for just a moment. Not sure what your point is.

[@jaykelley103]

@@Tiffany-Rose my point is that I was at their final show and it was really bad. Definitely a studio band, not a live one.

[@Tiffany-Rose]

@@jaykelley103 Based off the one final performance? Ok dude.

[@jaykelley103]

@@Tiffany-Rose I'm also basing it off their "from the basement" live show. Meg White is terrible at keeping time. Just because you like the band a lot doesnt mean you should deny reality. Meg did seem to inspire Jack to write better songs, though, seeing as the songs he wrote in his solo career arent nearly as good as the white stripes ones.

[@drwinstonOboogi]

The White Stripes is one of my all time favorite bands along with the likes of The Beatles, Nirvana, The Cure to name a few

[@RossTrittipo]

Saw the White Stripes twice. Once in Indianapolis, once in Detroit. Freakin awesome! Still listen to Elephant all the time.

[@Dan.Solo.Chicago]

Pete Townsend was overheard saying the only person he could ever imagine really matching the energy and sheer ferocity of Keith Moon’s drumming is Meg White.

[@staticcharm3808]

I don't believe that lol

[@santoy1000]

Never heard such nonsense. Don’t mention this amateur in the same breath of Keith Moon ffs 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Magneira]

Imagine being a shy person having to feed the ego of a dude like this...

[@k3digichaos]

They played a rink house in a semi poor neighborhood in Edmonton. Just rolled up in a van unloaded set up and played an improv show. Abbotsford I think it was .I lived a neighborhood north of the yellow head called clairview. I only heard of the gig after it happened. I loved how random it was and the lucky few who got to be there this was maybe 2003-4? Lol had some PTSD since not sure

[@te9591]

Sounds cool.

[@iamwhoiam9030]

I was at that show. Holy that was a wild night. Also was at suprise show of the drop kick Murphy suprise show on whyte.

[@Tijuanabill]

Come back, Meg. We love your art. It doesn't matter if you are Jon Bonham or not.

[@Kinnakeeter]

Honestly, I loved her style. She proved that the drums don't need to sound like a type writer in order for the music to be enjoyable. Sometimes the simplest beat is all you need

[@santoy1000]

Art fs lol

[@notthisbutthat]

Fun Fact: We are going to be friends is the theme song for Conan’s podcast! That’s their last performance ever!! at Conan!!!!

[@neurocosm]

The White Stripes are a great band, and Meg was as cute as a button, a calm ferociousness to the style. She gave exactly what was needed to create those songs.

[@bryanking2857]

Her sex tape was cute too

[@glenbard657]

"The fact checking site Snopes..." - Stop it, your killing me! That's the funniest thing I've heard all day.

[@beerandboats1]

I sat next to Meg in an airport lounge. She was so nice and more beautiful in person.

[@destroso]

I love her drumming

[@davidmurray5399]

I saw Jack White at the Armory in Minneapolis back in August. I'd never had a chance to catch The White Stripes back in the day, but this show really hit it!

[@bradkrekelberg8624]

Regarding her attitude during recording, it sounds like she has depression too. I can relate. As for the hall of fame, that would be pretty silly in my opinion at this point since there are so many far more deserving bands from longer ago that haven't even been considered yet.

[@glenbellefonte9620]

Everyone is depressed. Try thinking about someone besides yourself. Me me me me. No one has a right to be happy.

[@1xayekim]

I dont know, 6 million album sales 3 triple platinums, 6 Grammy's in a 7 year period is more than several members of the RHOF. Not to mention that the peak of their success was during the Nu Metal scene and during a few other music genre transitions. There music is fairly iconic especially from the Elephant and Icky Thump records. Thats not to say that there are plenty of bands that are more deserving but Im not sure if they are any less deserving.

[@twesj]

@@glenbellefonte9620 the fact that everyone is depressed does not diminish how other's feel. Everyone has their own idea of hell. It's like that whole issue with 50 cents son complaining that $6700 a month isn't enough to live on. Obviously that's a lot of money but for someone who's used to much more than can feel like being broke. I've been there so I know. My family had everything and lost it all in the 2008 crash. It was a huge shock to our whole family. Before we would go to Christmas at my grandma's and everything was equal as far spending on presents. After 2008 it was embarrassing because all of a sudden my family was having separate Christmas parties by themselves while we were in town so they didn't have to hide expensive presents. They even had a lobster and prime rib dinner and we were the only ones who didn't get invited. The people who you associated with when you're rich don't associate with you after you lose everything. It's like they fear that your being poor would rub off on them.

[@RByrne]

@@glenbellefonte9620 damn dude, you really have some anger. All he said was "I can relate" regarding himself, while the rest was about Meg's possible depression. People might not have the right to be happy, but that doesnt mean they must be depressed. Its often treatable, and while the symptoms can be mental, the cause is often a medical issue.

[@RByrne]

@@twesj youre absolutley right. I had a high paying job when i was 20, and of course my family and friends were always around. I had to give it up due to medical reasons, and after tha it was only my immediate(parents and sister) family that were there for me. Now that im back doing well, suddenly the ones who didnt talk to me during the rougher years, are acting like nothing happened.

[@simoneciancamerla678]

Meg White is an exceptional drummer! She is pure power, grit. His synergy with Jack in the adaptation to the change of rhythm is unique! Play the drums exactly as it should be for this genre of music. No one else transmits the same emotions to me as she does. Thank you Meg for what you have given us, and for the emotions you have made me feel! ❤️ 🥁

[@j.ramsey8863]

Megs too cool to be happy. She always gave that vibe.

[@glengamble526]

Wait…people needed Snopes to tell them the “Meg White Joins Rush’ story was a hoax and satire…? Man, I love America and Americans, but they do NOT understand satire well 😂

[@Stonecutter334]

What do you mean?

[@antonkovalenko364]

I'm more inclined to believe that it was a slow day at the Snopes office.

[@Thomsonthetube]

The DVD that came with the White Blood Cells XX had all this great footage of the recording sessions and Meg is really is sitting in a corner, smoking and reading magazines almost the whole time. I love Meg. She was the muse. That was her one, extremely important contribution to the band.

[@OpaqueVisions47]

They canceled and disbanded literal weeks before I was to see them, had tickets way beforehand. I'll never get over missing the chance to see one of my favorite groups☹️

[@southerncomfortuk]

Great video 🙏, interesting to hear about their career. I hope Meg is happy whatever she’s doing now. I’d like to add that in the U.K. where we work - a whole audience of 60 to 70 year olds still request Hotel Yorba…

[@glengamble526]

3:00 Meg developed an illness-she was sick of Jack White😂

[@benjaminrollison4929]

I'm just happy that I had a chance to see them live (twice) before they disbanded.

[@dawndavis4238]

I saw them once, 2003 in Las Vegas. I'll never forget it. Luckily it was recorded and although I don't own the vinyl I can listen to it on KZbin. I'm just so glad I got to see them.

[@KotsovosFilms]

Am I high? Why is everything a giant blur?

[@stevendimmock4791]

Nice video. I just console myself with the legacy of great music the band left behind. At least we still have that.

[@johnheath4305]

There’s that live show where she sits on the ground and plays bongos, and all she does is a basic beat against his wild ass syncopation. Anybody else would lack the discipline. she’s solid

[@santoy1000]

All she CAN do is a basic beat fs 😂😂

[@lunacavemoth]

as a girl with aspergers, i realy think Meg was/ is on the spectrum. You can see it on the Pre Tour video where she just plays an arcade game. In all her interviews, she never really looks up. Her sense of humor is kind of on my end of humor, which is kind of "aspy". I don't mean it in a bad way. She got thrown into an overwhelming position to be in. And being married/divorced to Jack and working with him must not be easy. One day, I ended up reading too much about Jack from people in the Detroit scene who know him. Confirmed a lot of what I suspected and I just hope Meg is enjoying her money and her pets. Someone who knows her told me she is happy , living in Detroit and with "all of her pets".

[@peluchingamarra3127]

Great, happy for her! She did awesome on White Stripes!

[@paulpileeki3844]

Meg is a sweetheart!!!!!!

[@charlesvickers2047]

Meg White bailed on the White Stripes for one simple reason: Some people can handle being in a celebrated rock band for epic lengths of time, and some can't. You look at just about every noteworthy band in rock, there is at least one or two people in the lineup that couldn't stick around for one reason or another, usually people leave before the band starts to get big, sometimes, it is after. The thing about Meg W's situation, she was one member in a 2-member band. Yeah, people are gonna notice when someone leaves a band with only two people in it.

[@myfriendgoo2816]

Also, royalties from that "Seven Nation Army" song have got to be supporting Meg nicely. (And really it's royalties just from the first few notes of it, but they needed the whole song). If you want to hit the jackpot there, write something that gets used as a riff at NFL games. Queen gets a similar huge windfall from "We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions"

[@MikaelLewisify]

Meg doesn’t get royalties from 7 Nation Army. Jack is credited as the sole songwriter.

[@alexgolovchenko3791]

I'd like to come up with some profound stuff to say about my feelings for what Meg and Jack created, but all I can say, really, is that I loved what they did. The White Stripes were awesome.😢

[@user-wh5ir4fo4r]

Hey, this says it all.

[@_B.SHULMAN777_]

Meg reminds me of my ex denise. Meg was very shy, so wasnt my girl. My lady had a very rough childhood, she said i was the only man that made her happy. Wish things ended differently. Love white stripes

[@TheJoonbug]

Just like Ringo, said to be too simple, yet played for the song, sat exactly perfectly in the song, thank you Meg ❤

[@timtravels116]

Long story short: She came, she saw, she kicked ass, she made a gazillion, she’s in the Hall of Fame.

[@73ajd1]

"I think this is the last show"... and it was. The Meg White mic drop.

[@elixtido1448]

Her stepping in for Peart is like Bob Dylan stepping in for Eddie Van Halen

[@Yabroproductions33]

The fact that nobody got the Neil Peart replacement joke and ran it as fact is SO AWESOME!

[@Deicidal776]

Who remembers those two being in the movie "Coffee and Cigarettes "? They had a Tesla coil that they brought into some dive diner for some inexplicable reason.

[@lesbananes671]

That's a great scene. I love how it starts with a long silence, then they start crabbing at each other like a real brother and sister. And Jack's glee when the tesla coil sparks is great too.

[@lunacavemoth]

the reason behind that was that Jack White wanted to do an Edison vs Tesla thing for "7 Nation Army". He said in an interview he wanted it black and white, an elephant that gets killed by Edison and Tesla killing Edison with a Tesla Coil. Obviously, that did not happen. When he was interviewing with Jim Jarmousch about "Coffee and Cigarettes" he noticed the Tesla biography by Margaret Cheney. Jack, being interested in Tesla, struck up a conversation about Tesla with Jarmousch, and that's how "Jack shows Meg his Tesla Coil" came to be.

[@shivareewaltz]

Maybe there were many reason Meg wanted to stop touring, one of them being self preservation. If she is an introvert it must have been exhausting to bounce around the world performing and doing press interviews. The ones I've seen she barely if ever spoke. I think it was a complicated issue that fans will never and really have no business knowing.

[@gregdahlen4375]

any ideas why she didn't speak? it might be stressful to do a press interview if you felt pressure to say brilliant things and didn't feel you could

[@gingerjeanbacall]

Jacks passionate, if youre shy and generally don't know how to deal with new or unexpected situations and just have that on repeat i cant blame the fact she was anxious to a heavy heavy degree. i think getting the ball rolling again is harder than the middle part because at least you know now you get to adjust the pace to whatever you think is appropriate, now at least maybe not then. People would still pay to see the white stripes, it's just true, the dying era of all ages listening to the radio culminated with them on the radio as thin easy pop took off. so ask anybody theres a huge nostalgic element to seeing Meg drumming and the motivation that gave alot of girls, and seeing Jack be Jack. '(you cant exactly hide being a fan of Son House or the blues) so it makes perfect sense why they dont talk or the band doesnt tour, but if they ever were to be ready to give it one last swing in future i'm sure everybody would be into it.

[@LovingColorado598]

There have been hundreds of male drummers without half the talent of Meg, none of which, I repeat, none of which Got one 10th of the criticism she did. She was groundbreaking, her drumming is delicately timed in a way I don't think people give her credit for, while they adore the whole package and the catalog of the White stripes. The the dismissive attitude towards her by men, is it jealousy? They were the biggest thing in the 2000s... They were prolific...

[@MrDash03]

It always seemed that Meg was so shy in interviews that only Jack would speak for the band. Nothing wrong with being shy and private about her personal life.

[@lisakoenig21]

Lot of things I didn't know! Thx for making this vid! I love her drum style and respect her position to stay quiet about everything. She doesn't owe anyone anything. Must be nice to get to choose that lifestyle. Makes you wonder if she would still stay out of the media if she wasn't receiving royalties and was flat broke though...🤔

[@babysteps4673]

This gives a lot of meaning to the lyrics, " you don't know what love is you just do as you're told."...as he points at her in the video

[@4evergogo]

ive always loved their music.