The musical impact of Jack White as Third Man Records celebrates 10 year anniversary

Knowing Jack White as you do now, it can be difficult to imagine that he once considered a life in the military or the priesthood. He has proven himself time and time again, to be one of the most influential artists of this generation. To a certain extent, he helped revitalize the genre of rock and roll to an entirely new generation.

So, for a moment, let’s peel back the curtain and take a look at just how much Jack White changed the music game.

Jack White Reintroduced Simplicity

You can say a lot about rock n roll but most people would shy away from the word ‘simplistic’. This is because rock has always been about putting on the biggest show ever.

This meant that most bands relied on a lead singer, few guitarists, and an involved drummer to produce the huge sound that everyone was used to.

With the advent of the White Stripes, though, Jack White basically threw this formula out the window. It was just him and his ex-wife Meg on the drums. However, what was most impressive of all was that this was enough. White’s ridiculous, out-of-this-world riffs and his crooning voice were enough to draw crowds to the band wherever they went.

Jack White Changed the Way the Guitar was Played

Even those not familiar with White would still be able to recognize the opening riff to Seven Nation Army. Those who are more avid followers of his music would mention Ball and Biscuit, Icky Thump, Sixteen Saltines, and Salute Your Solution to name a few. The truth is, though, when Jack White plays the guitar, everyone sits up and takes notice.

Apart from his innate skills, though, White’s indefinable sound probably comes from the fact that he manages to mix genres so well. For one thing, he has a strong blues influence that he mixed with numerous other sounds. Most notably, hard rock although nothing really is out of reach for him. Last but certainly not least, when it comes to instruments, White tends to prefer the old-school options in most instances.

Jack White Modified the Way Music was Recorded

Speaking of old school, White had a habit of recording his music like he was stuck in a different decade. In fact, when he and Meg recorded their fourth album Elephant, they did so in a studio that didn’t have any equipment that was produced after the early 1960s. White uses these antiquated systems to create that throwback sound that people know and love so well.

White is also a big fan of producing his music on vinyl. His albums have also boasted some of the highest vinyl sales since the 90s. Of course, this isn’t surprising because vinyl and Jack White’s music go hand in hand together. Although they seem that they should belong to an era, their impact is still being felt all these years later.

There is no denying that Jack White is hard to define in words. His music, style, and even his personality appear to be jolts of energy that zap around. Still, he has left his mark on the music industry and it is unlikely that it will be forgotten any time soon.


(Speaking to globalnews.ca)