Jack White Apologises Over The Black Keys Comments

Jack White has issued an apology to rival rockers The Black Keys after repeatedly claiming they had copied his style.

The White Stripes man had got his claws out for the duo in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine which went public last week.

He said: "There are kids at school who dress like everybody else, because they don't know what to do, and there are musicians like that, too.

"I'll hear TV commercials where the music's ripping off sounds of mine, to the point I think it's me. Half the time, it's The Black Keys.

"The other half, it's a sound-alike song because they couldn't license one of mine. There's a whole world that's totally fine with the watered-down version of the original... You get a band like The Black Keys, who said they never heard of The White Stripes? Sure."

However he has now performed a dramatic about-face with a letter on his official website.

He wrote: "There are a lot of things that only people around me can know about or understand, but despite all of that I want to say this: I wish the band The Black Keys all the success that they can get. I hope the best for their record label Nonesuch, who has such a proud history in music, and in their efforts to bring The Black Keys songs to the world.

"I hope for massive success also for their producer and songwriter Danger Mouse and for the other musicians that their band employs. 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."

And just to avoid any doubt, he continued: "This is an apology to anyone I've offended with my comments about my creativity, their creativity, and the music business in general.

"I wish for a long, fruitful, healthy family of creative people to continue to grow around me and the musicians I work with, the city of Nashville, America and the world of listeners that this music can reach."

White also addressed his comments regarding his lack of contact with former White Stripes bandmate Meg White.

"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.

"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."