Jack White

Jack White (born John Anthony Gillis, 9.7.1975)

Jack White is an American singer, guitarist and record producer.

Jack White: Childhood

Jack White was born into a large family, in which he was the youngest of 10 siblings. His parents, Teresa and Gorman Gillis both worked for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese. His mother was secretary to the Cardinal and his father was a maintenance man. Jack was an altar boy, like all of his brothers before him.

Aged five, Jack began to learn the drums. Although many of his classmates were into the hip-hop and electronica of surrounding Detroit neighbourhoods, at school, White was interested in the blues and 1960s rock.

At the age of 15, White embarked on an apprenticeship in the art of upholstery. He soon had his own business, named Third Man Upholstery, though business practices such as making out invoices in crayon and writing poetry in the furniture detracted from his potential profitability.

Jack White: Musical Career

Jack formed The White Stripes with Meg White in 1997. The band released a number of independent singles and albums and Jack was invited to play guitar on The Go's 1999 album Whatcha Doin'. The White Stripes' debut, eponymous album was released in 1999 on the Sympathy for the Record Industry label. The album was produced by the renowned Detroit musician Jim Diamond. The album was followed by a split "7 single with local band The Dirtbombs called 'Hand Springs'.

The band's second album was entitled De Stijl and was recorded on an 8-track analogue recorder in Jack's house. In 2000, they released 'Party of Special Things to Do' on the Sub Pop label. The record was an EP of Captain Beefheart songs. In 2001, the band released White Blood Cells, again on Sympathy for the Record Industry. With songs such as 'Fell In Love With A Girl' getting picked up on by the British press, the album was re-released by V2 in Europe.

Elephant, the band's 2003 album was recorded at London's Toerag Studios by Liam Watson. The debut single from the album, 'Seven Nation Army' was the band's biggest hit to date.

There have been many rumours surrounding Jack's potential involvement in Electric Six's two biggest hits, 'Danger! High Voltage' and 'Gay Bar.'

In 2005, the White Stripes released their fifth album, Get Behind Me Satan. Following the release of the album, Jack White formed a new band, the Raconteurs, with Brendan Benson, Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler. The Raconteurs' debut album, Broken Boy Soldiers was released in May 2006.

In November 2006, XL Recordings released a limited number of the album Aluminium, a collection of avant-garde recordings of Jack White's past work.

Icky Thump, The White Stripes' sixth album, was released in 2007 and peaked at number two on the UK albums chart.

In March 2008, The Raconteurs released their second album, Consolers of the Lonely

Jack White: Film Appearances

Both Jack and Meg White featured in Coffee and Cigarettes, the 2003 film directed by Jim Jarmusch.

Jack White had a small role in the film Cold Mountain and contributed a number of songs to the film's soundtrack.

Jack White: Personal Life

In December 2003, Jack White was arrested following a fight with the lead singer of The Von Bondies, Jason Stollsteimer, in Detroit. He was fined $750 and ordered to take anger management classes after being charged with misdemeanor and aggravated assault.

Jack White had a brief relationship with the actress Renée Zellweger, who he met whilst filming Cold Mountain.

In June 2005, Jack White married the model Karen Elson. Elson appeared in the music video for The White Stripes' 'Blue Orchid.' Meg White was maid of honour at the wedding. Jack and Karen had a daughter in 2006, named Scarlett Teresa White and a son, Henry Lee White was born in 2007.

It has been reported that Jack and Meg White were once married. The Detroit Free Press once printed a copy of their marriage license and subsequent divorce certificate. Neither Jack nor Meg are willing to discuss the details of their relationship in any depth.