Jack White & His 5 Most ‘Willy Wonka Moments’ in His Career
Ever since a May 2014 Rolling Stone cover story dubbed Jack White “Rock & Roll’s Willy Wonka,” there’s seemingly no other way to describe the enigmatic musician/label head.
Of course, White, who celebrates his birthday today (July 9), certainly has provided a lot of evidence to earn such a nickname. In honor of his birthday, here are five of his most “Willy Wonka Moments.”
Making a guitar using a scrap piece of wood and a glass Coca-Cola bottle
This incredible moment opens up the equally incredible documentary It Might Get Loud, which features White, Jimmy Page and The Edge talking shop.
Starting Third Man Records and launching his quarterly Vault package series
It’s one thing to start your own label, but White’s special touches, like his Vault package series, truly sets his label apart from those started by other artists.
When produced the “World’s Fastest Record” on Record Store Day in 2014
White usually goes all out for Record Store Day, but this stunt from 2014 has been his greatest RSD hit.
Opened his very own vinyl pressing plant
Honestly…he has his own factory. White’s gone full Wonka now, and we absolutely love it!
He’s never owned a cell phone
This fun fact came up when White was speaking with Krishnan Guru-Murthy from U.K.’s Channel 4 News in June 2019. “For someone like me, who is one of the few who doesn’t own a cell phone, it is pretty funny to walk down the street and see everyone doing this,” said White.
“You’ve never had a phone?” asked Guru-Murthy. White continued, “I’ve never owned one. So, when I’m out there, I’m an anomaly and I’m looking at everybody and to me everyone sort of looks silly. And then you’re like, whatever, that’s their lives. Or who knows, maybe this is the way everything is going to be from now on. I have no idea. Nobody really does. Maybe it’ll turn into implants. Probably it’ll turn into a microchip behind our eyeball or whatever.”
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