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Jack White, the enigmatic former frontman of The White Stripes and one of rock’s most outspoken critics of modern technology, has officially joined the smartphone generation, at the age of 50.
The Detroit-born musician has long made headlines for his no-phones policies at his concerts, encouraging fans to be present in the moment rather than filming through their screens. He even once called society’s smartphone obsession “competition, voyeurism and jealousy,” and proudly boasted of never owning one himself.
But as White turned 50 this week, it seems his resistance has finally been broken, by his wife.
Posting on Instagram, the Seven Nation Army rocker shared a series of photos of himself looking bemused as he held a mobile phone for the very first time. In his caption, he wrote:
“Well y’all it’s either all over for me now or just the beginning. I am now the reluctant owner of a cellular telephone for the first time in my life! A lovely 50th birthday present courtesy of my gorgeous and thoughtful wife Mrs. Olivia Jean (who took these photos as well.)”
White explained that the challenges of living in today’s world without a phone had worn him down. He joked:
“I’ve been saying that my days were numbered for years, can’t listen to my music in my car, can’t park at a parking lot by myself because of QR codes, etc. etc. and I guess Olivia decided to be kind and put me (and all my loved ones) out of my misery!”
But he also reflected on his accomplishment, writing:
“I thought if I could make it to 50 years old at least without ever having one that I could be proud of myself, and I am.”
Jack White revealed he marked his 50th birthday on Wednesday by finally getting his first-ever cell phone, telling fans: “Well y’all, it’s either all over for me now or just the beginning.”- Credit: nstagram/@officialjackwhite
Jack White’s strong stance against mobile phone use has become part of his legend in the music world. Fans attending his shows are required to seal their phones in pouches to ensure no filming or social media distractions take place during performances. He has said that this allows for a more authentic connection between audience and artist.
However, even for a purist like White, the realities of daily life in 2025, with QR codes now required for everything from restaurant menus to parking meters, seemed to finally outweigh his anti-tech ethos.
Fans and fellow musicians flooded his post with humorous and heartfelt messages, welcoming him to the world of mobile phones. “Don’t let it take over your soul, Jack!” wrote one follower. Another quipped: “Bet he still won’t answer calls!”
White’s milestone birthday has not only sparked this new chapter of technological adaptation but also served as a reminder of his influence over modern rock music, from his early days with The White Stripes through his work with The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather, and his acclaimed solo career.
Whether Jack White embraces his phone fully or simply keeps it powered off most of the time remains to be seen. But one thing’s for certain, it marks the end of an era for one of rock’s most famously analogue rebels.
