Jack White gets deep in a New York Times Magazine feature, discussing his marriage, his children and his relationship with former wife/White Stripes drummer Meg White (he also talks about being taught how to weld by Bob Dylan, though perhaps that's a story for another day).
For the first time since announcing the end of the Stripes last year, White talked about the dynamic that ultimately led to the band's demise, intimating that it was Meg who didn't want to continue making music, and that he was forced to bring the project to a close "so we can move on with our lives."
"Some people can live their whole lives in limbo," White said. "There came a point where I said, 'If we're not doing this, we need to put an end to it right now.' And that's what she wanted to do."
When asked by writer Josh Eells why Meg no longer felt like being a part of the White Stripes, Jack responded:
"You'd have to ask her. I don't know what her reasons are. Having a conversation with Meg, you don't really get any answers. I'm lucky that girl ever got onstage, so I'll take what I can get.
"Meg completely controlled the White Stripes," White continued. "She's the most stubborn person I've ever met, and you don't even get to know the reasons."
Meg White declined to be interviewed for the Times piece, though Jack seemed to backtrack on claims he made to British magazine NME last month, when he said there was "absolutely no chance" he'd ever reform the Stripes, admitting that he misses making music with Meg.
"I'd make a White Stripes record right now. I'd be in the White Stripes for the rest of my life," he said. "That band is the most challenging, important, fulfilling thing ever to happen to me. I wish it was still here. It's something I really, really miss."
In the meantime, he's moving on. White's first solo album, Blunderbuss is set to hit stores on April 24.