Photo: Shirlaine Forrest
Jack White has hinted that The White Stripes could go the way of The Beatles by pulling the plug on their touring career.
The band axed their 2007 world tour dates after Meg was struck down with acute anxiety. However, Jack has said in an interview that he’s “not bothered” if the duo never hit the road again.
Referring to their recent collaboration with Beck, Jack said: "Maybe working at Beck's house was something we needed to do to remind ourselves that touring is only one component of what we do. Taking a break from shows isn't going to stop it.
"If it came to a point where Meg said, 'I don't want to be in this band anymore, it doesn't fulfill me in any way,' then it would be a different story. But she's not saying that."
Quizzed by the Los Angeles Times whether their current hiatus will ever end, he continued: "I don't know. It's a good question. I guess it's up to her (Meg)... She seems to be lively. She was really invigorating working together on this 'Conquest' record. I was wondering if she was interested, and she was completely - very, very involved.”
Referring to The Beatles tactic of staying completely away from live shows in the latter part of their career, Jack added: "Well, the Beatles did it. I'm joking, but if we didn't ever tour again it doesn't matter to me… There are so many different aspects to being creative that it doesn't matter if one component is changed. Because it's been changing all the time since the band started.
"And if something isn't working for you and it's detrimental to you, then you have to figure out a new way to attack it, a new way to look at it. I think that's what Meg's doing… We'll find our spots, we'll find our moments. We already talked about other songs we're working on."