The Raconteurs, fronted by modern rock icon Jack White, are once again in the spotlight after joining the list of the greatest supergroups of all time.
Louder Sound included the four-piece group in its ranking, which featured some of the most influential all-star bands in rock history. The Raconteurs joined supergroup legends Cream, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Temple of the Dog, Velvet Revolver and Asia, which secured the top five spots on the list.
With The Raconteurs landing at No. 15, the publication praised the band’s critically acclaimed first two albums. However, it noted that the band’s lengthy hiatus ultimately diminished the impact of its 2019 comeback.
Formed in 2005, the quartet, composed of White from the Grammy-winning band The White Stripes and Brendan Benson from the indie rock band The Mood Elevator, was rounded out by The Greenhornes’ Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler.
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Although The Raconteurs may have looked like just another side project similar to other supergroups, White wanted to prove that it was a true band with every member playing an important role and not simply an experimental project.
“The only way to defeat that is to play live in front of everyone,” he said in a 2006 interview as cited by CBS News. “I think we’re seeing that wherever we go playing live, we’re getting a fair chance. The more you keep pushing and keep going with it, the less and less people think side project, because side project usually means some flippant thing — you’re not even paying too much attention to it.”
Lo and behold, their debut album, Broken Boy Soldiers, was a massive success after it debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 and No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart.
It even received a major nomination at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album.
As for its lead single, “Steady, As She Goes” was a breakthrough hit that reached No. 1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and broke into the Top 5 on the UK Singles Chart.
With the continued success of the quartet, White kept the momentum going by embarking on an extensive touring schedule, performing at major festivals around the world.
From chart-topping albums and songs, the band made its first major festival appearance at the 2006 Wireless Festival in London, followed by performances at Rock en Seine in France, Reading Festival and Leeds Festival in England, Lollapalooza in Chicago, Virgin Festival in Baltimore and more.
In 2008, they released their sophomore album, Consolers of the Lonely. It was a major success despite The Raconteurs not having given any “interviews or advertisements for this record” before the official release.
“The purpose: to get the album to the fans as soon as possible and as we promised,” the band mentioned in a statement as reported by Ultimate Classic Rock. “We wanted to get this record to fans, the press, radio, etc., all at the EXACT SAME TIME so that no one has an upper hand on anyone else regarding its availability, reception or perception.”
Unfortunately, after their extensive tour in celebration of their second album, The Raconteurs went on hiatus in 2009, with the members focusing on their separate ventures, musical projects and family commitments.
White focused on The Dead Weather before launching his solo career in 2012, while Benson continued his solo career with the albums What Kind of World (2012) and You Were Right (2013).
Meanwhile, Lawrence and Keeler returned to The Greenhornes and The Dead Weather.
In 2019, the band ended its 11-year album hiatus by releasing its third album, Help Us Stranger, which became its first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200.
The Raconteurs have yet to announce new music or touring plans following Help Us Stranger.
Despite the band’s inactivity, its latest honor highlights the lasting legacy built through its acclaimed catalog.
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