Fell in Love with a Band: The Story of The White Stripes [Paperback]

Chris Handyside (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 12, 2004

With only two members and no bass player the White Stripes certainly seemed like the ultimate makeshift band. So how is it that this enigmatic couple-who publicize themselves as brother and sister though official documents say they're ex-husband-and-wife-became a multi-platinum musical sensation? From their early days as the darlings of Detroit rock scene to their current status as MTV celebs, they've defied expectations every step of the way. How did it happen that the simple idea of staying true to a lo-fi, blues-based sound become a revolutionary idea in the age digital conformity and complex studio production?

Fell In Love With a Band: The Story of the White Stripes is the first biography by a Detroit journalist who has followed their career since the groups inception in 1997. From Meg White's novice attempts at banging the drums to their current incarnation as the face of indie rock. With never before seen photos and exclusive interviews, Fell In Love With a Band gets to the heart of this enigmatic rock band and for the first time tells the real story of their rise to fame and the power behind their sound.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 2002, a year in which the charts were dominated by the likes of Nelly and Nickelback, the White Stripes’ third full-length album, White Blood Cells, was hailed as an instant classic. A noisy salvo that would prompt legions of critics to search for synonyms for "stripped-down" and "bluesy garage rock," it also propelled the White Stripes from the clubs of Detroit into the homes of MTV viewers. Now, two short years later, comes this reverent biography, thick with stories told by Detroit regulars who observed the Stripes’ development firsthand. True devotees will enjoy Handyside’s recounting of Jack White’s boyhood, Meg White’s high school years, the duo’s early married life, divorce and subsequent sibling mythology. At times, however, the book’s forced back-porch tone grates, as do its detours into rock critic caricature ("pub rock choogle" for example). So much of the book is narrated by the Stripes’ friends, co-workers and former bandmates that the absence of Meg and Jack’s firsthand voices becomes noticeable. Still, for those with a serious interest in the White Stripes and their burgeoning legend, this volume will be part of the true completist’s collection.
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From the Inside Flap

The White Stripes-with their bold red and white peppermint aesthetic and milkfed pale good looks-don't look like just another garage band. And with only two members and no bass player, they certainly seemed like the ultimate makeshift band. But instead this dynamic duo have come embody the DIY spirit of indie rock. How is it that this enigmatic couple-they refer to one another as brother and sister yet official documents say they're ex-husband-and-wife-became a multi-platinum musical sensation? From their early days as the darlings of the fertile Detroit rock scene to their current status as crush-worthy MTV-era celebrities, they've defied expectations every step of the way. How did it happen that the simple idea of staying true to a lo-fi, blues-based sound become a revolutionary notion in the age digital conformity and complex studio production? Maybe it's their unique style-wearing only red and white where ever they appear. Maybe they were just a breath of fresh-air, injecting pop music with the dose of rock it needed at exactly the right time. Whatever it is, there is no doubt that the White Stripes are a bonafide music sensation.

Fell In Love With a Band: The Story of the White Stripes is the first biography by a Detroit journalist who has followed the career of the Detroit based group since their inception in 1997. From Meg White's first novice attempts at banging the drums to their current incarnation as the face of indie rock. With never before seen photos and exclusive interviews with members of Detroit bands like Blanche, The Von Bondies and others people close to the Whites, Fell In Love With a Band gets to the heart of this enigmatic rock band and for the first time tells the real story of their rise to fame and the power behind their sound.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1st edition (August 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312336187
• ISBN-13: 978-0312336189
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #900,743 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fell In Love With the Book as well, April 21, 2005

By 

Rubee Raspberry "Rubee" (Shreveport, LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fell in Love with a Band: The Story of The White Stripes (Paperback)

For any fan of the White Stripes this book should be a got-to-have item. Handyside is a wonderful storyteller of sorts, keeping the history of the White Stripes both in fairytale, and nonfiction at the same time. Not all secrets are revealed but any true fan of this band knows that their mystery is part of the attraction. But the parts that are revealed are just as good to know as to not know the hidden sections of their past. Very wonderful read. 5/5

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars TOTAL POTBOILER, July 5, 2005

By 

50 "mksonic50" (hermitage, pa United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fell in Love with a Band: The Story of The White Stripes (Paperback)

Fans of the White Stripes will undoubtedly find this interesting but it seems to have been written mainly to cash in on their current popularity and is genuinely one of the most poorly written books I've ever read: syntax and word-usage errors abound and there doesn't appear to have been an editor anywhere in sight. It reads like it was thrown together as quickly as possible and the author clearly had no direct contact with the band as all quotes come from second-hand sources. Pretty disappointing and it's hard to believe that the author is a professional writer: I'd be embarrassed to have something like this published.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Weak Writing, July 9, 2008

By 

Derek "DropIn" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fell in Love with a Band: The Story of The White Stripes (Paperback)

This author means well (I think), but his writing is weak and awkward. He actually uses the word, "er," as if he were speaking to the reader, instead of writing to the reader. I think he might idolize Jack White (which is fine for a fan, but this feels a little too weird for me). You might like this book if you like this style, but it's just not for me. I really did try to like it and there are some neat facts to learn, but I just couldn't get past the poor syntax. I returned it and got another book, which I like better.