Jack Gillis, an upholsterer who had kicked about in a number of local bands, and Meg White, a barmaid at the Memphis Smoke, met amid the Detroit rock scene and married in 1996 with Jack taking Meg's surname. They formed The White Stripes - which was taken from Meg's favorite type of mint - and first played in 1997. A number of 7" singles preceded their self-titled debut album which was released in 1999 to a groundswell of critical praise. In 2000 the pair divorced but maintained in the press they are brother and sister. Their second album, De Stijl, attracts attention from Rolling Stone magazine who label them as one of the bands to watch and sets off a bidding war to release their next album. Boosted by the innovative and multi-award winning Michael Gondry video clip for the single 'Fell in Love with a Girl', the band's third album, White Blood Cells (2001), took them to a global audience and saw the band recognised as forbearers of the 'new rock' revolution. Their fourth album Elephant saw more mainstream appeal for the band helped along by chart topping single 'Seven Nations Army'. Widespread touring and distractions including movie parts and marriages transpire before 2005's Get Behind Me Satan. The pair separately leaves their native Detroit and enjoy the use of a fully-equipped, state of the art studio in Nashville for 2007 album Icky Thump.