Jack White Accuses The Black Keys Of Copying His Music, Then Apologizes

Jack White issued a public apology after bashing the Black Keys and accusing them of ripping off his sound in an interview with Rolling Stone.

Jack White Slams The Black Keys

White, most famously of The White Stripes, was never a fan of the Black Keys, and his original dislike for the band was made public when emails White had written about the band were leaked to the press in 2013. White was going through a divorce at the time, and the emails were rumored to have been leaked by his now ex-wife Karen Elson. Patrick Carney, Black Keys drummer, forgave White in the press, and the band moved on. However, in a new interview with Rolling Stone, White expanded on his belief that the Black Keys copied his musical style, essentially 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,” White told Rolling Stone.

White didn’t stop there and continued to state that he paved the way for the Black Keys and that without him, they would not be successful. He likened it to Amy Winehouse creating a fan base for singers like Lana Del Rey and Adele.

“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. Is Adele selling 20 million records? That would not have happened if Amy Winehouse was alive,” White hypothesized.

White also appeared bitter for the Black Keys’ lack of acknowledgment towards him and his music, saying, “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.”

After the quotes were published on May 30, White was bashed for his somewhat nasty comments and was forced to issue an apology on Saturday.

Jack White Issues Apology

White apologized for his statements, and clarified that he wished the Black Keys “all the success that they can get,” but also made a point of defending himself.

“But, they are the type of comments that are to be made to producers, engineers, and managers who thoroughly understand the behind-the-scenes of what we do all day long. I should’ve been smarter to know that it would be pointless to use comparisons like I did to readers who most likely don’t understand the scenario and that my words would seem very negative in nature,” White wrote in his apology.

White also blamed “lawyers and strangers” for exploiting his statements, but still took some measure of responsibility, apologizing to anyone who was hurt by his comments.

“Because the conversations I’ve had that have been made public and recontextualized are difficult to clarify without making it seem even more petty and strange, this is an apology to anyone I’ve offended with my comments about my creativity, their creativity, and the music business in general.”

The Black Keys have not officially commented on White’s dig or subsequent apology, but Carney hinted at White in an interview with the Tennessean, saying, “There are no bands – with the exception of one person who I won’t even name who I’ve never met – that I’m not friends with.”

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Article by Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Olivia Truffaut-Wong was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where she developed her love of all things entertainment. After moving to New York City to earn her degree in Film Studies, she stayed on the East Coast to follow her passion and become an entertainment writer. She lives on a diet of television, movies and food.