Did Jack White deserve spot in ‘It Might Get Loud’?

It Might Get Loud is a narrative about the electric guitar, told from the vantage point of three guitarists. Two of them, Jimmy Page and U2’s “The Edge” are undeniable guitar heroes. However, the legendary status of the third guitarist remains suspect.

Enter Jack White, the exuberant and edgy front man for the rock band, the White Stripes. White has certainly gained immense popularity for his catchy riffs, larger-than-life stage presence and raucous guitar work. But when thrown into the arena with the likes of Page and The Edge, the scales of rock justice are suddenly thrown out of balance.

It Might Get Loud takes us behind the scenes, and presents each guitarist the opportunity to walk us through their body of work. Page showcases timeless riffs from songs like Whole Lotta Love, and explains his innovative use of the violin bow. The Edge explains how, with the help of complex effects devices,  he devised his trademark style, including the guitar arrangement for The Streets Have No Names. Jack White on the other hand, explains his fascination with “cheap plastic guitars” and shows off a custom guitar with an attached microphone and retractable chord.

I’m not knocking White’s ability, creativity or contribution to the film. My point is he simply has not been around long enough to build a Page-like catalog  of riffs, songs and techniques. He’s a mere novice when compared to Page and The Edge, and at times appears out of his element.

If the essence of the film is the representation of guitar virtuosos who embody the pioneering of electric guitar innovation, why skip over living legends such as Eric Clapton, Eddie Van Halen, Carlos Santana, Steve Vai and Tom Morello? In terms of creating a cross-genre film that aims to reach a broad audience, the addition of White isn’t a bad idea. However, the exclusion of so many guitar revolutionaries is unfortunate.

Davis Guggenheim, the director of It Might Get Loud, obviously wanted to represent a “new school” guitarist, and White certainly stands out in the current pool of mediocre, pop-obsessed musicians. If you watch the film, keep this in perspective, and note that White is there to represent the current landscape of rock and roll.

It’s simply unfair to Jack White to measure his potential for greatness against Page and The Edge.