Too late to apologize? Jack White hopes that’s not the case! The rocker, 38, decided he had a lot of explaining to do after his cover story came out in Rolling Stone this month.
In it, he took credit for the Black Keys’ success and called former bandmate Meg White an emotionally reserved “hermit.” To explain the meaning behind his comments, Jack posted a lengthy note on his site titled “An Apology And Explanation From Jack White.”
“I felt in a way forced into talking about very private opinions of mine that are very much in the realm of ‘behind the curtain’ show business conversations, and things to do with my own family and friends,” he began. “These are things I never talked about publicly, but through the actions of lawyers trying to villainize me in a private legal scenario, my private letters were made public for reasons I still don’t understand. They contained comments that were part of a much bigger scenario that is difficult to elaborate on, and also one that I really shouldn’t have to explain as it was personal and private in nature.”
After saying that the band the Black Keys rode on the coattails of the White Stripes, White clarified his comments.
“I wish the band the Black Keys all the success that they can get,” White wrote. “Lord knows that I can tell you myself how hard it is to get people to pay attention to a two piece band with a plastic guitar, so any attention that the Black Keys can get in this world I wish it for them, and I hope their record stays in the top ten for many months and they have many more successful albums in their career.”
He also took the time to praise other musicians—including a prominent grouping of retro-tinged divas—who he seemingly insulted in the interview.
“I wish no slight to the talents of Winehouse, Duffy, Lana del Rey, and Adele,” he continued. “All of whom are wonderful performers with amazing voices. I have their records and I hope for more success for them all as the years go on. They deserve all they’ve gotten.”
The most personal apology was reserved for his longtime bandmate and ex-wife Meg White.
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“Meg White, who I also talked about to Rolling Stone about our working conversations, or lack thereof, is, of course, a musician I’ve personally championed for 15 years,” he explained. “She is a strong female presence in rock and roll, and I was not intending to slight her either, only to explain how hard it was for us to communicate with our very different personalities. This got blown out of proportion and made into headlines, and somehow I looked like I was picking on her. I would never publicly do that to someone I love so dearly.”
