The way to save rock or any style for that matter is simple. Those with the means start labels and sign new bands. There is a lot of good music in the underground. The Music didn't stop being created it just stoped being supported by the labels. This is where people like Jack should focus some energy. They might be already at that I don't know but it makes sense to me anyway.
FBOW Jack White is the Wynton Marsalis of rock music. (And yes, rock is roughly in the same place now, in 2021, that jazz was 40 years earlier.... in 1981....) When Ken Burns' kid does his inevitable 8-part "Rock" documentary in 2035, Jack will be the chief consultant.
Saviour? Rock doesn't need to be saved. It's a form of pop music. All pop music is by design ephemeral and destined to fade. It's inevitable. Rock is no different. And I like Jack White but I'd never call him a saviour. His neo-retro shtick sure was fun for a while until he started taking himself too seriously.
There are plenty of great recent rock bands out there still even if pop/hip-hop/R&B eclipsed it purely in terms of mainstream relevance I like Jack White, especially The Dead Weather, but personally would want to discuss the music itself not attached to any of this "rock savior" stuff
From '99 through '07 there was a nice running tension between the acclaim of Radiohead's approach and the acclaim of the White Stripe's approach to rock and roll.
Yes. And anybody is free to pick up instruments and play rock music at any time, should they so choose. No “savior” is necessary.
I have lived in both Scotland and the United States (but I wasn’t born in either). No touristing involved.
I appreciate his post music career work more than his actual music, but as far as saviour of rock goes I think there's a legitimate argument to be made that he was the death knell of rock. Sure he was pretty good, the commercialised "alternative" cowpunk stylist was a natural next step from grunge. To me he was always a retro fashion movement masquerading as a rock 'n' roller.
Probably yes. I mean, The White Stripes - like them or not - are without any doubt a classic and important band.
He probably isn't the saviour of rock music, but I find it quite incredible how many folks here can't stand him. I'd have thought he ticked a lot of boxes for the demographic. - Has an appreciation of his musical roots and isn't afraid to play homage either on record or live - Is a superb live show whether in any of his bands or solo - Has recently banned mobile phones from his live shows - He has his own record label and pressing plant - Third Man releases material from a variety of musical artists, both new and vintage, introducing them to a new audience - Has The Vault which releases historically important material aimed at ardent fans If he's not your cup of tea, fair enough, but all in all, he's talented, passionate and prolific.
Exactly what I was thinking. Like Marsalis, White is inspired by history to a fault, and I don't think he's done all that much to push the evolution of the genre toward new sounds.
He has done a decent job. I’m not familiar with 90% of his music though. But, anyone got anyone better?
I agree with @steviej that, on paper, there are a lot of things to like about White, and I certainly approve of him running his own record label and using it to shine a light on things like the Sun Records catalog or Loretta Lynn, but, when actually listening to one of his records, I just can’t stand his music. Can’t stand his whiny voice, can’t stand his lyrical preoccupations, can’t stand his awful guitar tone, etc. As noted above, he’s the Wynton Marsalis of rock, doing his best to pay homage to his favorite classic music from his chosen genre, “before it all went wrong.” Unfortunately, the copy is never as good as the original.
And lo did the Jack of White return to replenish the land with rock. And the people did rejoice for four score minutes and ten.
I like Jack White.....but it's probably not a good thing that the saviour of rock music is a 45 year old father of 2.
Loved Jack White's recent SNL performance, definitely someone who is keeping a flickering candle alight. However, I would put Sloan (and Weezer on and off) in that spot too. Briefly talking to Chris Murphy and Jay Ferguson of Sloan showed how much they worship rock that came before them, as any power popper should. Chris name dropped Kiss, Burton Cummings and Cheap Trick. Jay talked about The Smiths, Abba(!), ELO and the music playing overhead as I talked to him was his mix featuring Omnibus by The Move and Tonight by Raspberries!!!
