The White Stripes

The White Stripes were a Detroit duo formed in the mid-1990s by Jack White and Meg White. They worked with a deliberately limited setup, just guitar, drums, and vocals, and recorded their first album in 1999. That stripped-down approach carried through to songs like 'We're Going To Be Friends' and 'Little Room,' which felt homemade and direct.

Their 2003 album Elephant included 'Seven Nation Army,' a track built around a simple, descending guitar riff that became ubiquitous at sports stadiums and protests. The band's sound pulled from garage rock and blues, but they avoided traditional bass lines and kept the arrangements lean. Later records like Get Behind Me Satan and Icky Thump introduced more piano and marimba, but the core remained Jack's guitar and Meg's steady, economical drumming.

The White Stripes stopped performing and recording in 2011. Jack White has since pursued a solo career and other projects, while Meg White has stayed out of the spotlight. Their six studio albums, from the self-titled debut through Icky Thump, document a band that found a wide audience without ever sounding like it was made for one.