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The White Stripes have become big time stars since their debut back in 1999. They are unit shifting, record collecting, red'n'white rock royalty. They are one of the new breed of back-to-basics rock acts to emerge from the USA in the past few years. We celebrate Jack and Meg with a potted history, the absolute top rarities and some handy Stripe-y links.
...potted white stripes history
click on the links in the text to search the catalogue
The enigmatic bass-free duo formed their in 1997 and pair off as Jack White (guitar/vocals) and Meg White (drums). They have been variously assumed to be either brother and sister or husband and ex-wife, a peculiar tabloid fact that never was qualified.
A debut single, Let's Shake Hands, was released on Italy Records in 1997, followed by Lafayette Blues for the same imprint before they relocated to the leading indie label Sympathy For The Record Industry. Their eponymous debut garnered immediate underground praise around the world for it's mix of rare cover versions (Robert Johnson's "Stop Breaking Down Blues" + Dylan's "One More Cup Of Coffee") with devastating originals. The following year De Stijl was unleashed to yet more buzz.
Unlike the release of their previous albums 2001's White Blood Cells arrived nearly smothered in over-anticipation. This hype helped the band become the subject of a label bidding war, signing eventually for XL Recordings in the UK and V2 in the USA. All rumours of these million dollar deals and of splits were washed away when fans heard the tracks within. Sell out shows, Top 20 singles and festival filling turn-outs kept the band's star in a high orbit.
In late 2003 came Elephant and it needs very little saying about it! The cost of recording was minimal and righteously luddite. In fact the only format that was released to the press for previews was a beautiful vinyl edition. It re-wrote rock's expectations and rightfully earned the band handfuls of awards nominations; Grammys, Brits and more. The White Stripes are now well and truly accepted mega-stars.
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...red and white and collectable
What is it about the The White Stripes that makes them one of the most collectable and sought after bands to emerge in the last few years?
They combine all the essentials that both collectors and music fans adore, that mix of limited edition, essential b-sides, fabulous packaging and hard to get hold of! The earliest singles - the rarest of the lot - were printed in the low hundreds and with promo editions like those for Elephant so different to the official releases every White Stripes release is desirable.
To help you wind your way through the white, stripy world of Jack 'n' Meg we have created some handy catalogues, as well as highlighting below their first, most desirable, singles.
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...collectors catalogues @ EIL.com
Find your way through the best White Stripes catalogue anywhere in the world...
the white stripes - singles...from the mega-rare early 7"s to the latest limited CD sets.
the white stripes - albums...including alternate import editions, limited vinyl editions
the white stripes - promotional...much sought official promos plus memorabilia items too
the white stripes - visual...the band's videos on various formats, promotional or otherwise
the white stripes - full artist discography...everything all rolled into one!
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...links & fan sites
The red'n'white twisted worlds of the web...
the white stripes - official site, www.whitestripes.com
the white stripes - great fan site, www.whitestripes.net
the white stripes - great fan site, www.tripletremelo.com
the white stripes - essential 'Yahoo' information group
the white stripes - the 'rathergood.com' punk kittens
click here to add your white stripes site to our links listing
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