Since both bands began growing in popularity, The White Stripes and The Black Keys have been compared relentlessly. Though one cannot deny the similarities between the two: both were blues-rock duos from the Midwest US and had names with colors that directly contrast one another. Though now disbanded, The White Stripes did come first, which led to some fans dismissing The Black Keys as a White Stripes offshoot. Though for a whole decade, it seemed that those words were only coming from fans of The White Stripes and not the band themselves.
But in 2010, it turned out that White Stripes singer Jack White actually did have similar feelings towards The Black Keys, telling Rolling Stone: "I'm a lot more to do with Jay-Z than the Black Keys." White even reportedly barred Black Keys singer Dan Auerbach from entering his Nashville studio. Though Auerbach refused to comment on the situation, White did not deny it, saying "Anything you've ever heard anyone say about me is 100 percent accurate."
During Jack White's divorce with Karen Elson in 2013, leaked email conversation between White and Elson revealed that White was angry that Elson had decided to send their children to the same Nashville school as Dan Auerbach's children:
"That's a possible twelve fucking years I'm going to have to be sitting in kids chairs next to that asshole with other people trying to lump us in together. He gets yet another free reign to follow me around and copy me and push himself into my world."
In response to Jack White's remarks, The Black Keys themselves remained good sports about it. Dan Auerbach merely said "I don't know him, so it's extra unexpected." While his bandmate, drummer Patrick Carney expressed sympathy in his response:
"As fucked up as that shit is, that was a private conversation. We've all said real fucked-up shit in private. You know how horrifying it would be if all of our private shit was aired? Divorce is hard. It should be kept private, and people go sniffing around looking for this shit. And ultimately, it's no one's business. He obviously sounds like an asshole. And I actually feel embarrassed for him. But, no, I don't hold grudges, man. I really don't."
In spite of The Black Keys taking his comments in stride, Jack White continued the following year in a lengthy tirade further accusing them of ripping him off:
"There are kids at school who dress like everybody else, because they don't know what to do, and there are musicians like that too. I'll hear TV commercials where the music's ripping off sounds of mine, to the point I think it's me. Half the time, it's the Black Keys. The other half, it's a sound-alike song because they couldn't license one of mine. There's a whole world that's totally fine with the watered-down version of the original. [...] Some people will hear that and say, 'Oh, Jack White thinks he's the first person to play the blues.' But certain acts open up a market for a certain style. Amy Winehouse: Did she invent white soul? Wearing a beehive? No. But she did something brand new and fresh, altogether as a package, and you see who's in her wake, from the Duffys to the Lana Del Reys. Adele selling 20 million records? That would not have happened if Amy Winehouse was alive. The White Stripes did the same thing, and in our absence, you're gonna find someone to fill that. And you get a band like the Black Keys, who said they never heard of the White Stripes? Sure."
But immediately after, White would go on to issue an apology to The Black Keys:
"I wish the band the Black Keys all the success that they can get. I hope the best for their record label Nonesuch who has such a proud history in music, and in their efforts to bring the Black Keys songs to the world. I hope for massive success also for their producer and songwriter Danger Mouse and for the other musicians that their band employs. Lord knows that I can tell you myself how hard it is to get people to pay attention to a two piece band with a plastic guitar, so any attention that the Black Keys can get in this world I wish it for them, and I hope their record stays in the Top Ten for many months and they have many more successful albums in their career."
After this, it appeared the beef had finally been squashed and the feud was no more. But things would take a drastic turn one year later in 2015 when Patrick Carney alleged he and Jack White had an altercation that nearly became physical. Carney stated via Twitter:
"I've never met Jack White. Until last night. He came into a bar in Nyc I go to a lot with a few friends and tried to fight me. I don't fight and don't get fighting but he was mad!!! He is why I play music. The bully assholes who made me feel like nothing. Music was a private non competitive thing. Not sure what he's unhappy with cuz I just liked Zeppelin a lot and wanted to play guitar. Cut my pinky off and ended up being a drummer. Not the best drummer but a passionate one. But any way Jack White. A 40 year old bully tried to fight the 35 year old nerd. It might get loud but it might also get really really sad and pathetic. Jack White is basically Bill Corgan's dumb ass zero t-shirt in human form."
After Carney's tweet went viral, Jack White responded quickly, denying Carney's claims:
"Nobody tried to fight you, Patrick. Nobody touched you or 'bullied' you. You were asked a question you couldn't answer so you walked away. So quit whining to the Internet and speak face to face like a human being. End of story."
Not long after that, Carney and White reportedly talked it over in private were able to settle things amicably once more. Carney erased most of his tweets on the subject and posted on Twitter:
"Talked to Jack for an hour he's cool. All good."
A sentiment which White returned:
"From one musician to another, you have my respect Patrick Carney."
So ends this feud, for now anyway. What's your opinion on this feud? Do you agree with Jack White's statements? Share your thoughts below.
Check out more band feuds by clicking on the group title.
I didn’t know about this feud, but it was an interesting read, for what it’s worth. There’s room in this world for both bands, and many more. I personally really like a couple of the Black Keys songs.
SW-User
[media=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9ANOzmSKQg] probably all true, great song 😍🎶
I had no idea....ah, rich guys an their kids private school...that's a world I know nothing about. I'm kind of a marginal fan of both, but Patrick Carney will be forever one of my favorites for this line - no matter who it's directed to: "Jack White is basically Bill Corgan's dumb ass zero t-shirt in human form."
