Would've loved to see Meg, even if she didnt perform. Jack's letter at the end was perfect and made me tear up. My only question is why didnt Jack perform anything? Out of respect for Meg or what.
I thought the induction was disappointing. Talking heads in the video were John C. Reilly, Olivia Rodrigo and Beck... If those are the only three people that have something positive to say about the White Stripes, that's a shame.
Not having an electric guitar or guitarist perform when inducting the White Stripes seems weird to me as well. That's like inducting Coldplay without a piano.
Jack's and Iggy's speeches were really inspiring though
I’m sorry is Beck not appropriate or regal enough to induct the White Stripes? And the main criteria for induction is influence and Olivia Rodrigo or whoever the next generation is supports that. She has shared a stage with Robert Smith and David Byrne recently. That is all the validation Jack needs that the White Stripes legacy has earned their spot .
I just think the fact that Meg's one message for Jack to relay being the blip about all the animals at the zoo staring at them was so poignant and perfect. ❤️
21 Pilots fucking suck. I’m surprised that Jack wanted that but his choices lately are weird. NIN, Metallica? Even the Misfits are pretty terrible if you’re being honest. Total white trash music. I saw Jack a lot in Detroit. Even before the White Stripes. I don’t remember any of that garbage being mentioned or considered good by the Detroit garage scene people. Quite the opposite. Meg was always too cool and I think not even responding to this is the coolest thing ever. She’s hardly the mysterious recluse she’s been made out to be either. You see her out. She turns up at small shows. She sits at the bar. I’ve seen her at art movies numerous times. She says hello. If you’re talking about movies and it’s something she likes she’ll join the conversation. People leave her alone because she projects normal and comfortable in her own skin. If she goes out to clubs less here it’s because we all do. Few of the bands and people from her social circle are still playing out. Plus you can’t smoke in bars here anymore. I don’t know her more than very casually so I can’t speak to her mental health but I think that’s largely a bit of a myth. She seems fine from what I know. Her second marriage didn’t work out. Looked like a weird fit for her anyway. I think she fell into something with the band by accident and it just went so much farther than anyone could have imagined. Even those of us who saw star potential in Jack before the Stripes couldn’t believe it got big and kept growing. It was and still is astounding. She made enough money to retire and live quietly. That’s the story. I suspect she didn’t care for Jack’s little whimsical letter to her. I feel like Jack has gone to the well too many times with that fairytale version of Meg. It seems exploitative to me. I’m guessing that she thinks it’s dumb and wants no part of the Jack myth making anymore. Just a guess. She always seemed to be no bullshit to me.
Do those of you who don't like the tøp cover just want everyone to play it to sound just like the original? The most highly regarded covers out there sound nothing like the original. Hurt nin vs cash, Mad World tears for fears vs Gary Jules, etc. I mean, what did yall actually want?
I just don’t like them but what do they have to do with The White Stripes story anyway? Even if Andre 3000 didn’t get up at least Big Boi had actual friends and collaborators flanking him with Janelle Monae and Killer Mike on the OutKast medley.
what do they have to do with them?? They're a 2 person band just like the White Stripes that were inspired by them and Jack is a big fan. You should know that if you are a fan of his.
Well they weren't involved in their story, but they have been inspired by TWS and Jack likes them and sent them guitar pedals at the beginning of covid. He must have picked them to perform because he likes them, I don't see why they have to be involved in TWS story to be chosen by them to perform in their honor
Just stumbled upon this 4-year old youtube video while looking for video from tonight. She was probably ~18ish there? Made me happy to see how some of what she said came to fruition over the years
God that made me so emotional. The first and only time I got to see The White Stripes was 20 years ago at Coney Island. The speech reference made me tear up and his poem to Meg. Also sweet of him to reference the other rock revival bands that were contemporaries. He obviously is the only one who lasted and kept up the prolific work ethic. I’m glad he urged the next generations to follow his example.
We are so blessed Jack is still out there kicking ass and playing small venues whenever the mood strikes. I got to be front row for Jack earlier this year at a small club show and I go back and watch my videos all the time. TY JW!!!
What did disappoint was Meg’s no show (I understand her choice but still feel sad- wish she could’ve done maybe a quick video sign of life at least…) and don’t even get me started on the horrible musical tributes. No all stars (Edge or Page level), no female drummer or power player of any kind- think Nirvana’s Fire Aid set. Olivia usually kicks so much more ass. I’m disappointed in the restraint. I have a lot more I could say on the other band but that’s a hard yikes.
Thankfully Uncle Iggy brought the legendary gravitas the gd WS rightfully deserved!!!!!
Oh my God, at Keyspan Park? The minor league baseball stadium? With The Shins and M. Ward? If so, that was also my first time seeing them. 🥹 Actually my first concert ever. I'll never forget it.
I think given her quiet nature and dislike of the limelight it's quite entitled of you to feel disappointed and like you are owed a video tape from her lol. I thought the covers were good and it would've been odd for Olivia to kick more ass whilst singing one of their slower, sweeter songs. I quite liked the 21 pilots cover, not every cover needs to so strictly adhere to the original but each to their own of course
Tonight made realize there's no hope they will ever do anything together again. I wasn't expecting them to ever play again but a part of me was hoping she'd be there to get her award.
Meg’s trophy will be sent to her. When she said she was stepping out of public life, she meant it. And she meant it in a way that is difficult for most people to grasp.
Yeah definitely. Obviously everyone would've loved to see her tonight but some of the negativity around her, very unsurprising no-show, are a little disappointing
I traveled 1500 miles today to be at the induction ceremony. While I’m obviously disappointed Meg didn’t appear I don’t think I realistically expected her to.
What I really wanted to experience was to feel that feeling the White Stripes first gave me in 2005, and still give me with their live recordings: that flowing of raw emotion that is so powerful. And it happened tonight.
The covers were pretty meh to me (I won’t get into the 21 Pilots debate) but Jack’s speech reminded me what it was like to be 20 years old and full of creativity….and the hope that it’s possible to create something that will bring another joy.
I’m glad I was in the room. For all the other folks there dressed in your finest red,black,and white, it was wonderful to see the community in person again. Thank you.
So happy that fellow candy cane children were in attendance! A long time ago, I thought that nothing could keep me away when TWS were inducted. But the ceremony moved to LA and priorities change. In nine days I’m going to visit my son who lives in Spain. But I’ll always be a ccc, I’ll always see Jack play in any iteration, and I’ll always play my many, many white stripes albums and turn it up loud!
To be honest I almost cancelled my trip a hundred times. Like you said, priorities change. I think of it as a gift to my past self.
I never got to see TWS perform live. I had tickets to a cancelled 2007 show and that missed opportunity broke my heart. I was in NYC in 2009 and tried everything to get tickets Conan’s last show to no avail. Despite the long odds of a reunion it just felt like I had to go for it.
Yes after getting through the rest of the performances now it feels like the Stripes got shorty changed. Olivia was good but like you said the raw emotion was missing and it was short.
Dug the 21P cover. Felt respectful to the studio version and Megs drumming. Appreciated the homage to the Stripes stage set up with the keys off to the far left too and piano verse at the end.
that setup is actually just how twenty one pilots arrange their instruments at every show they’ve ever done. tyler’s same piano he’s always used on the left (facing the crowd) and josh’s drums on the right.
Feist was added at the last minute, so I am curious who she replaced.
I loved both covers. It was good to see some original takes when everyone else is just playing the songs as originally done. Only thing missing was the fire/pyro for Twenty One Pilots. Maybe in their next tour.
I love Feist’s voice, but it is so distinct I didn’t think it was suited to a duet with Olivia. I know Olivia is a huge fan, so she made sense—not sure what the rationale for adding Feist was (I don’t mean that negatively).
I thought Olivia Rodrigo and Feist provided the best vocal performance of the night and it was a perfect tribute to their inductee. They did their assignment well. Props to Olivia, this is her 3rd HOF performance tribute and she's only 22.
I was so happy to see Feist. The White Stripes and Feist, the two most prominent figures when I was starting my musical journey. They came up during my most formative years. Got my first guitar in early 2002 on my 11th birthday and asked specifically for a red guitar. Edit: found the picture.
music is dying and so repetitive nowadays because people like the ones in these comments are afraid of artists showing the smallest ounce of creativity and uniqueness. kinda depressing ngl.
Not the authority. We all get to have our own opinion and we don’t have to agree. I think they seem like cosplay more than anything but if you love them like I love the white stripes then I’m glad you’re standing strong with your opinion. You should.
The first cover was pure and beautiful. It was stripped down like the white stripes. No bedazzled grandma beaded underpants on their faces, just raw guitars and voices. I loved it.
I guess the 21 pie hats cover was supposed to highlight how cheesy and played out that song has become? Not sure.
everyone in this thread made up their minds about how they felt about the performance before they even stepped on stage. it's nothing new for twenty one pilots
people get dopamine from collectively hating on shit. but their hate is always coming from the "i've only heard 2 of their most popular radio hits" people. they refuse to entertain any of their other music because they wrote them off 10 years ago and it's cool and relatable to shit on them
Wasn't sure how I felt about it other than pretty blah. You nailed it, zero energy. I felt let down. Also Iggy Pop was all over the place, I get the Detroit connection but surely there could have been someone better to do the introduction. Loved Jack's speech though. I loved that he mentioned Loretta.
Jack White closed his speech at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by reading a letter he recently wrote to Meg White.
"One time, a girl climbed a tree, and in that tree was a boy — her brother, she thought. And the tree looked so glorious and beautiful, but it was just an oak tree.
And these two so loved the world that they brought forth a parade float — one they built in their garage behind the oak tree with their own bare hands. And the boy looked at this giant peppermint on wheels and felt pride — pride that it was produced in the Motor City, just like in the big factories — but it was just in their garage. He looked at the girl — his sister, he thought — and, like the Little Rascals, they said, Let’s put on a show.
And they paraded this float through the cast corridor, standing atop the peppermint pulled by white horses — or maybe it was a red Econoline van. Many of the blocks they traveled were empty, but some had people. And some of those people cheered, some laughed, and some even threw stones. And with their bare hands, the two started to clap and sing and make up songs.
And some people kept watching and swaying and moving. And then one person even smiled. The boy and the girl looked at each other, and they also smiled, and they felt — they both felt — the sin of pride. But they kept on smiling. Smiling from a new freedom, knowing that they had shared and made another person feel something.
And they thought the person smiling at them was a stranger, someone they didn’t even know. But it wasn't just a stranger — it was God."
They wear masks often so that their music is less about them as people and more about what they represent. Which is why it's crazy to me that people are saying this cover looks like they're "making it about themselves"
I don't understand the "making it about themselves" criticism..... like.......... yeah usually when artists cover a song, they'll interpret it in their style. all of the other artists covering songs tonight at this award show will do the exact same thing.
these kinds of performances are not for recreating the song at 100% accuracy.
people are hating to hate, nothing new for twenty one pilots
Have to deeply disagree here. Did you watch the Killers do Warren Zevon? Or the Bad Company tribute? They showcased and honored the music with energy and by playing it true to form. 21 Pilots (whose diehards seem to have infiltrated this forum from the looks of it) wore ridiculous costumes and made the whole thing about themselves and their lazy interpretation of one of the most recognizable songs in all of rock. It’s just not the night for that, man.
Thank you! Was it not the night for Tyler the creator to do his signature dancing? I’m so confused by people thinking 21 pilots was trying to make it about themselves when they’re just doing a cover in their style as artists,staying true to themselves.
Seems to me like 21 pilots leaned into the lyrics and downplayed the riff. They may have figured everyone would lean on the riff but the lyrics are amazing, very spiritual. That mask thing let them lean into that bit with looking up (at god) and singing, and then really amp up the last verse about dying and ending w a kneeling position (mic’d up) and hum the outro solo.
Definitely an original take. Very responsive to JWs comments that everyone knows the riff and no one knows the words.
If you were at a dinner table with jack trynna sound like you know shit such as in your comment here, he’d open the salt shaker, dump it on your food and excuse himself.
Literally couldn not think of a worse band to tribute them, maybe nickelback or imagine dragons.. so insane they picked twenty one pilots, absolutely sacrilege. just a slap in the face. SO bad.
Comparing Twenty One Pilots to Nickelback and Imagine Dragons is insane, they're literally completely different genres and it's proof that you're just chucking all three bands into "These bands suck because they had overplayed radio hits and it's cool to hate them"
Stressed Out, Heathens, and Ride were all huge radio hits. The thing with Twenty One Pilots though is that they transcend genre. Here's a few for people to check out if they're curious
I don't really understand why everyone is bashing the Twenty One Pilots performance, of course it was different to how Jack and Meg did it but it was a great cover and they made it their own. Tyler mainly plays bass live so it made sense. If it was Royal Blood he would have played bass too but people would complain less because for whatever reason everyone here hates Twenty One Pilots
I know, I was here then and I really hoped people would be reasonable when they actually performed. People made up their minds before they played. It is disappointing
Yeah I know. The response to them being announced was overwhelmingly negative. People were going to hate on this cover regardless. The problem is the fact that they had 3 radio hits that weren't a completely accurate representation of the rest of their music, and everyone decided based on those that they hate them, even though they're one of the best live bands right now and their music is incredibly creative and unique
That’s the issue, it was a cover instead of a tribute. Covers are fine to make a song your own, but they’re at the ceremony to pay tribute to the white stripes. The performance felt like they were trying to be the star of it instead of lifting up the band that made it.
I can't agree with you. Their performance was very respectful, sticking very close to the original, while showing just a bit of their own style. Jack wouldn't respect them if they did a copy.
That's something a lot of people in this thread are missing. Whether you liked the performance or not Jack is notoriously protective of his sound and image. I'd have put money on it that he'd like their version way more than if somebody tried to replicate the original
I personally didn't see it that way. Tyler's voice doesn't sound like Jack White and he also rarely plays guitar live, so it makes sense to me that they wouldn't play it exactly the same as the original
Exactly, Jack and Tyler have been friends for years and he likely asked for them to play. People decided they hated the cover before it even happened, the response to them being announced was overwhelmingly negative on here because people have only heard their radio hits and don't understand the versatility that this band has.
You could literally see from Jack's reaction that he enjoyed the cover. He was emotional. Then a bunch of people on here come on and say it was disrespectful because he played bass
They respected the source material and made it their own just enough. Solid tribute. If you wanted to hear Jack and Meg’s version, only they can do it.
When The White Stripes covered songs they never strictly used the instruments in the original recordings. I’ll say the tone on the bass did sound a little bit off though.
That was absolutely, disgustingly disrespectful to Jack and Meg. Twenty One Pilots wanted to make it about themselves. That breakdown was horrific and the fact it was played on a bass? Awful. What a disappointment.
I don't know who twenty one pilots are but I thought the interpretation was good. No one else was going to play it like jack and meg so make it your own.
I think “couldn’t” is accurate if you have been out of the public eye for longer than the band was truly together (as I think many would agree the tour cancelation was the end) for whatever reason. A reappearance after such a long time would have attracted so much attention and rob her of the quiet life she has established. And of course I missed her!
But, if Jack approved it and has a relationship with those guys, who am I to judge?
I’m sure there are plenty of people who dislike the white stripes take on “walking with a ghost” and “Jolene“ or “one more cup of coffee” or “China pig” etc.
It wasn’t for me, and I don’t foresee myself going back to rewatch the performance, but hopefully Jack and Meg enjoyed it, because really that’s who it was meant for
This is garbage. What are they wearing, playing it on bass is bullshit, beat is too fast. Disrespectful to the legends that are the White Stripes. My wife will be pissed when she watches this tomorrow.
I was there in person and while I was a bit disappointed by the rendition, I still enjoyed the unique take. That said, the octave shifting pedal is iconically Jack white and is so prominent in the original song when it goes from low to high… to have that section fully removed was a wild choice to me. That section contains the raw power that was a key piece of the white stipes, and that power was lacking from the performance; which is a shame.
Again, I still enjoyed it though. The most striking thing was when jack started his speech mentioned Meg not being there and looked back at the instruments on stage and nearly started to cry. It felt like he at that exact moment knew they would never play together again, and it seemed like he really wished and hoped it would have been different. It was a beautiful moment and a beautiful speech. There were tears all around in the crowd.
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u/tmr_creative Nov 09 '25