The Weird and Wonderful Mr. White turned 51 today. You might not be aware that he once tried an ultra-ambitious live experiment: an all-female backing band.
In 2012, Jack White launched a fascinating project for his debut solo album, Blunderbuss. He assembled The Peacocks, an elite ensemble of multi-instrumentalists and vocalists made up entirely of women.
At the same time he also formed The Buzzards, a male-only backing band. These lineups were designed to reshape his musical catalog with a distinct, collaborative energy. Operating without a setlist, White chose which band would play on the morning of each show. This unpredictable setup kept the performances fresh and ensured no two concerts were identical.
The Peacocks brought a unique musicality to the stage, leaning into melodic, soulful, and roots-heavy arrangements. Their style allowed White to explore a more nuanced, acoustic-driven side of his blues and rock compositions, offering a stark contrast to a standard rock show.
The band’s foundation relied on extraordinary musicianship, anchored by the driving percussion of drummer Carla Azar. Alongside her, vocalist Ruby Amanfu provided soaring backing vocals that paired perfectly with White’s raw singing style, most notably on their emotional duets.
Other members added rich, diverse textures to the music. Lillie Mae Rische contributed country fiddle, Brooke Waggoner played blues piano, and Margrethe Björklund provided atmospheric pedal steel. The rhythm was completed by bassists Bryn Davies and Catherine Popper.
Although the dual-band format was eventually retired due to high costs and logistical complexity, the experiment had a lasting impact. After the Blunderbuss tour reached the end, the members of The Peacocks returned to their primary projects and continued to build highly successful, diverse careers in music and beyond.
Happy blue blood blues birthday, the wicked whiz, the weird and wonderful Jack White!
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Featured image via The Hollywood Reporter.
