The White Stripes are officially rock legends.
The duo, consisting of singer Jack White and drummer Meg White, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this weekend, cementing their decades-long influence, especially on the grunge rock revival of the 2000s.
But even as they celebrated this milestone, fans were once again left wondering about the true nature of their relationship.
During the induction ceremony on Saturday, November 8 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, Jack White took the stage to honor his former bandmate, who was noticeably absent. He dedicated a moving parable to Meg, describing their beginnings and referring to them as “brother” and “sister.”
That formulation aroused renewed curiosity. Although the pair presented themselves as siblings throughout their careers, it was actually a creative illusion. The two married in 1996 – a year before forming The White Stripes in Detroit in 1997. They divorced in 2000.
According to Far away magazine Jack (then known as John Gillis) met Meg when she worked as a barista at a cafe in Detroit. After they started dating, they got married, and Jack later took her last name and became Jack White.
As the band gained attention, they began calling each other siblings to shift the focus from their relationship to the music itself – a choice that added to their mysterious appeal.
Although Meg has largely stayed out of the spotlight since the band split in 2011, Jack made sure her presence was felt.
“I was talking to Meg White the other day and she said she was very sorry she couldn’t be here,” he told the audience. “She wanted me to tell you that she is very grateful to all the people who have supported her over the years. It really means a lot to her.”
He added with a smile that Meg even helped him write the speech, correcting his grammar along the way.
Olivia Rodrigo, Feist and Twenty One Pilots honor White Stripes
Just because the White Stripes didn’t reunite for their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame didn’t mean their songs weren’t honored.
In honor of the band, Olivia Rodrigo sang a tender rendition of the White Stripes song with Feist We’re going to be friends from their 2002 album White blood cells.
Then Twenty One Pilots sang the White Stripes hit, Army of Seven Nations.
