Jack White – Back in Black (Not Really)

Yes, that was an AC/DC reference, and no, we won't be discussing Angus Young, 

though Jack White could pass for his better looking younger brother...or son. 

Remember that cooool alternative rock band the White Stripes? You may have listened to them when you were in middle school, or maybe even high school, if you were hip enough back then. They've been around for a while – ya know, they had that one song, "Seven Nation Army," where Jack White's former wife, Meg, played the drums like a five year-old with pots and pans, while her all-star husband, Jack, whaled away on guitar and belted clever lyrics – remember that? Good times. Well, let's just say, since then Jack has ditched Meg (they got a divorce in 2000 but kept playing together until 2011...awkward) and has since moved onto much bigger and better things. The popularity of the White Stripes allowed Jack to work with some of the best names in rock 'n roll – from Beck, to the Rolling Stones, to Bob Dylan. In 2005, he founded the acclaimed rock band, The Raconteurs, and in 2009, he became the founding member of The Dead Weather as the drummer – Jack's first love in the world of instruments.

Not only has Jack led three successful bands, but he's also founded his own record label, Third Man Records, which is based out of Detroit, Michigan, White's hometown. This label is particularly unique to the music industry, as it's main output of music releases is in a vinyl format, something few labels ever dare to do. Sure, there are plenty of labels who press vinyl for many of their major releases, but in general, CDs and digital formats that can be bought through services like iTunes are the most common source of revenue. Leave it to Jack White, the pioneer in all things alternative, to start a label like Third Man. Artists on the label include Jack's bands, as well as Dan Sartain and the Muldoons.

So what's next? What else could he possibly do to further cement his status a force to be reckoned with, as one of the most legendary guitarists of all time? (Rolling Stone ranked him #70 on the list of '100 Greatest Guitarists'). On April 23, 2012, White is set to release his debut solo album, Blunderbuss, on Third Man in association with XL and Columbia. Rumor has it that he wrote the entire album last year in 2011, and is finally ready to release something under his own name, alone, for the first time, ever. As I mentioned before, Jack has always done collaborations, but has never set out to release something that is all his own.

Jack plans on promoting his album (as if he even needs to) by performing on Saturday Night Live. I can't wait to see this live performance, because I sort of feel like despite his presence in The Ranconteurs and The Dead Weather, we still haven't really seen much of him lately. The real Jack White. The man behind the pale skin, black hair, and good looks. Regardless of whether or not he reveals it all, I'm looking forward to watching him perform "Love Interruption," the first single off the album. There is one little hitch in this plan that could affect my overall satisfaction with the episode, and that is the fact that Lindsay Lohan will be hosting that episode on March 3rd. I really hope she can keep it together for the sake of the show, and for my beloved Jack's sake. Word on the street is that Lindsay is actually keeping it together pretty decently these days (of course, Lindsay and I have different opinions on what is considered 'decent').  LiLo, as they call her, is apparently on the up and up – good for you gurl! Let's just hope she can make it to March 3rd without another serious lapse in undergarment or driving while intoxicated judgement.