Jack White on the Artist Who Carried the “Holy Spirit” — His Deep Admiration for Bob Dylan

Jack White is often seen as a figure of modern rock toughness. Once, Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys even defended him in an interview, saying, “You don’t think Jack White is hard?” While White might not immediately fit the stereotype of rough, playground-hardened musicians, his intense gaze, towering height, and raw, explosive guitar work reveal a spirit that is anything but soft. He exudes a tenacity that nods to ancient forces of chaos and creativity — forces that never back down.

Given this, it’s hard to picture Jack White ever feeling intimidated backstage. Beyond Alex Turner’s admiration, White has carved out a legendary career, commanding respect wherever he walks. Yet, even he recognizes the giants whose paths he follows — and among those, one figure stands above the rest.

Throughout his career, Jack White has often paid homage to the artists who came before him. He has spoken reverently about Iggy Pop and The Stooges’ Funhouse, describing it as “what rock ‘n’ roll is really about.” He’s also praised Gene Vincent’s influence, crediting him with changing the course of music forever. However, when it comes to sheer presence, there is one artist Jack White regards almost as otherworldly: Bob Dylan.

When asked about Dylan, White admitted, “I can’t claim to be friends with Bob, and maybe that’s an impossibility. Or maybe that is the case but it’s hard to define. He has the holy spirit around him. He’s sort of not from here.” White explained that while Dylan can seem elusive even to fellow legends, engaging him purely on music can bridge that gap. “If people would just talk about music with him, he’d be a lot more receptive because he is an encyclopedia. He knows exactly what’s happening in music at any given time,” White said.

In the mid-2000s, Dylan’s connection to White’s music became tangible. During that time, Dylan and his band were known to soundcheck with songs by The White Stripes — a remarkable gesture considering Dylan’s towering place in the music world. White recalled an encounter with Dylan where he said, “We’ve been playing one of your songs lately at sound checks.” The comment left White floored. “I thought, ‘Wow.’ I was afraid to ask which one. I didn’t even ask. It was just such an honour to hear that.”

The respect didn’t end there. In 2004, during a Detroit stop on Dylan’s famed ‘Never Ending Tour,’ he surprised the crowd during the encore by inviting Jack White on stage. Instead of reaching for acoustic classics, Dylan launched into a gritty, electrified rendition of The White Stripes’ “Ball and Biscuit” — with White by his side. It was a powerful and symbolic moment, an affirmation that White’s music had earned a place among the canon of rock’s greatest traditions.