The White Stripes

The White Stripes were an American rock duo formed in Detroit, Michigan, in 1997. The group consisted of Jack White (vocals, guitar, piano) and Meg White (drums, vocals). They were known for their raw, minimalist sound that blended garage rock, blues, and punk. The duo maintained a distinctive aesthetic, exclusively using a color scheme of red, white, and black for their albums and clothing, and presented themselves publicly as siblings, though they were, in fact, a divorced couple.

Early Years and Breakthrough

Jack Gillis and Meg White met in the mid-1990s in Detroit. Jack, already a musician in the local scene, taught Meg to play the drums in 1997, and they soon formed The White Stripes. The band's name was inspired by Meg's fondness for peppermint candies. They played their first show on August 14, 1997, at the Gold Dollar in Detroit. After releasing a few singles, they signed with the independent label Sympathy for the Record Industry.

The White Stripes and De Stijl

The duo released their self-titled debut album, The White Stripes, in 1999, followed by De Stijl in 2000. These albums established their lo-fi, blues-infused garage rock sound and gained them a following in the Detroit underground music scene.

Mainstream Success

The White Stripes achieved significant mainstream success with their third album, White Blood Cells, in 2001. The album's stripped-down sound and the innovative Lego-animation music video for the single "Fell in Love with a Girl" propelled them to international recognition. Their fourth album, Elephant (2003), was a massive commercial and critical success, earning a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album. The album featured their most iconic song, "Seven Nation Army," which became a global rock anthem.

Later Career and Disbandment

The band continued to evolve their sound with subsequent albums. Get Behind Me Satan (2005) experimented with piano-driven melodies and marimba, winning another Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album. Their final studio album, Icky Thump (2007), returned to their garage rock and blues roots and also won a Grammy. Following a tour for Icky Thump, the band went on hiatus, citing Meg White's acute anxiety. On February 2, 2011, The White Stripes officially announced their disbandment, stating it was to "preserve what is beautiful and special about the band".