Fell in Love with a Band
The Story of The White Stripes
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3.8 • 4 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
With only two members and no bass player the White Stripes certainly seemed like the ultimate makeshift band. So how is it that this enigmatic couple—who publicize themselves as brother and sister though official documents say they're ex-husband-and-wife—became a multi-platinum musical sensation? From their early days as the darlings of Detroit rock scene to their current status as MTV celebs, they've defied expectations every step of the way. How did it happen that the simple idea of staying true to a lo-fi, blues-based sound became a revolutionary idea in the age digital conformity and complex studio production?
Fell in Love with a Band: The Story of the White Stripes is the first biography by a Detroit journalist who has followed their career since the group's inception in 1997. From Meg White's novice attempts at banging the drums to their current incarnation as the face of indie rock. With never before seen photos and exclusive interviews with members of Detroit bands like Blanche and The Von Bondies, Fell in Love with a Band gets to the heart of this enigmatic rock band and for the first time tells the real story of their rise to fame and the power behind their sound.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In 2002, a year in which the charts were dominated by the likes of Nelly and Nickelback, the White Stripes' third full-length album, White Blood Cells, was hailed as an instant classic. A noisy salvo that would prompt legions of critics to search for synonyms for "stripped-down" and "bluesy garage rock," it also propelled the White Stripes from the clubs of Detroit into the homes of MTV viewers. Now, two short years later, comes this reverent biography, thick with stories told by Detroit regulars who observed the Stripes' development firsthand. True devotees will enjoy Handyside's recounting of Jack White's boyhood, Meg White's high school years, the duo's early married life, divorce and subsequent sibling mythology. At times, however, the book's forced back-porch tone grates, as do its detours into rock critic caricature ("pub rock choogle" for example). So much of the book is narrated by the Stripes' friends, co-workers and former bandmates that the absence of Meg and Jack's firsthand voices becomes noticeable. Still, for those with a serious interest in the White Stripes and their burgeoning legend, this volume will be part of the true completist's collection.
