13 years and 33 days. That is how many days you and I were blessed with one of the most beautiful, pure things we will ever experience. On February 2nd, The White Stripes quietly ended their band with dignity, saying that they have "officially ended and will make no further new recordings or perform live. The reason is not due to artistic differences or lack of wanting to continue, nor any health issues as both Meg and Jack are feeling fine and in good health. It is for a myriad of reasons, but mostly to preserve What is beautiful and special about the band and have it stay that way. " They went out on top and in peak form with no controversy, they simply exited. Leaving die heard fans and casual listeners alike, with memories of them in their prime. Jack White often made comments saying that the key is to leave people wanting more. We all want more.
The White Stripes smashed their way onto every body's radio with their raw power. They turned everything up ten notches and didn't ever hold back. Jack White played his guitar with an almost hateful fury, and Meg White played the drums like she hardly knew what she was doing, but with anyone else, they wouldn't be The Stripes. Their candy cane motif's and media secrecy added to their mystery. They will be remembered as a band that played some of the best music that we have ever heard or will ever hear. Nobody will ever come close to what The White Stripes did, nobody will match their sheer brilliance. They kept the hope alive that the world could in fact be changed by music; by a guitar and a drum kit; two against the world.
There aren't many bands that you remember hearing for the first time. The White Stripes are probably one of the only ones. I was 12 years old, I was in my garage (quite fitting) on the computer. My buddy and I were on Yahoo Music looking at music videos when we saw an odd kaleidoscope looking video titled "Seven Nation Army". We clicked play. I remember turning to my friend; at 12 years old, I had never been speechless before, this was the first time. I was instantly hooked. It was the first song I ever learned how to play on guitar; I spent my allowance on a guitar slide and their album "Elephant". Now, almost 10 years later, I am 20 and still listen to The Stripes with the utter speechlessness that I did when I was a little kid. They have been my favorite band since that day in the garage.
The Stripes will truly live forever, they aren't gone. They live on our turntables, our ipods, and in our hearts. The memories associated with The White Stripes outnumber the memories I have of anything else. Of course I'll keep listening, I don't know what else to do with myself. I HAVE to keep listening, why would I stop?
In the closing of their message that was posted on their website and Third Man's website, they said this:
"The White Stripes do not belong to Meg and Jack anymore. The White Stripes belong to you now and you can do with it whatever you want. The beauty of art and music is that it can last forever if people want it to. Thank you for sharing this experience. Your involvement will never be lost on us and we are truly grateful."
They're ours now, keep them safe, keep listening, pass your records on to your children like heirlooms. The White Stripes were only with us for a short amount of time, but we were blessed to have them; bless future generations by letting them hear just what The White Stripes are.
As I sit here writing this, listening to their entire catalog, I thank them for getting me through Junior High and High School. Getting me through the good times and the bad times. For blowing out my front right speaker in my old truck. Aggravating my neighbors and they're dogs with Hello Operator and Dead Leaves on the Dirty Ground at volume 40. Accompanying me on my ski trip in 8th grade. Many a airplane flights. Influencing my taste in music, and style, even my lifestyle. Thanks to The White Stripes, Ive learned who the masters in music are; Son House, Wanda Jackson, Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Blind Willie to name a small handful. There are so many points in my life when I turned to The Stripes, Theyve always been there, and they will continue to be there whenever I need them. Thanks for the memories guys.
-tod
As I sit here writing this, listening to their entire catalog, I thank them for getting me through Junior High and High School. Getting me through the good times and the bad times. For blowing out my front right speaker in my old truck. Aggravating my neighbors and they're dogs with Hello Operator and Dead Leaves on the Dirty Ground at volume 40. Accompanying me on my ski trip in 8th grade. Many a airplane flights. Influencing my taste in music, and style, even my lifestyle. Thanks to The White Stripes, Ive learned who the masters in music are; Son House, Wanda Jackson, Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Blind Willie to name a small handful. There are so many points in my life when I turned to The Stripes, Theyve always been there, and they will continue to be there whenever I need them. Thanks for the memories guys.
-tod
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