Rock-stars often have some pretty bizarre rider requests, nobody could ever forget the infamous bowl of m&ms with all the brown pieces taken out, and it seems that Mr. Jack White, the man who recently designed quite possibly the sickest tour poster, has got some pretty interesting requests too.
White, who played a college gig at The University of Oklahoma on Monday 2nd February, had his entire rider leaked by the school’s newspaper, which sparked a wildfire of controversy, plenty of hilarity and one helluva of homemade guacamole recipe, as Consequence of Sound (via The Oklahoma Daily) report.
We’ve learned from White’s rider that the White & Co do not like bananas, at all, “We don’t want to see bananas anywhere in the building”, steak is a necessity “New York strip steak, cooked medium, with steamed vegetables on the side and no sauce” but most important of all, how to make one delicious batch of guacamole.
Published by the university paper in the days leading up to White’s performance, the piece enraged both he and his booking agent, William Morris Entertainment, the latter allegedly claiming that The University of Oklahoma would be blacklisted from having any of its artists play at the venue again, whilst White during the show itself commented, “Just because you can type it on your computer doesn’t make it right.”
William Morris having now retracted the comments that White had blacklisted the university in a light-hearted press statement which you can read in full below, both White and the booking group have well-warranted reason to be a little frustrated with the paper’s unprofessionalism. The part of the article that has caused major issue is the detail of White’s performance fee, which was said to be US $80,000.
In addition to this, the press release makes claim that White doesn’t write his rider request at all, and that the glorious guacamole recipe is apparently courtesy of “Lalo’s”.
Despite the upset that the article has caused, it’s positive to see that White has not fully barred The University of Oklahoma from any future performances – we’re sure the newspaper won’t be publishing any other artists’ secret recipes of performing fees in the future.
Check out White’s rider request and post-show press release below:
Press Release
“Holy Guacamole!
To the students and staff of University of Oklahoma:
Jack White would love to thank all the concert attendees at his performance at the University of Oklahoma. The crowd was incredible and Mr. White played an extensive two and a half hour show for them. The students who helped organize the event were wonderful. Playing in, and for, the people of Oklahoma is one of Jack White’s favorite tour stops. At no time did Jack White or White’s management say that we would never play there again, that is untrue.
The incidents with the OU Daily student newspaper reporting the financial terms of the show, the private tour rider information, along with unsolicited photographers from their staff were unfortunate, unprofessional, and very unwelcoming. The show was one of many on this tour directed at playing for university students in their own environment. And the band were all completely thrilled with the performance and the crowd.
Incidentally, the most important function of a rider is that it lays out optimal technical specifications to ensure the audience has the best experience possible. For that, Jack hires a team of very qualified touring professionals who write the rider and attempt to execute a professional and pleasant experience for all involved. Part of that is making sure that the tour personnel of about 30 people plus the local venue staff are fed. Contrary to what some believe, Jack doesn’t write the rider nor make demands about his favorite snacks that must be in his dressing room. We’re not even sure he likes guacamole but we do know that the folks who work hard to put on the show do enjoy it.
(By the way, now that’s it out there, we recommend you try Lalo’s guacamole recipe. It’s delicious.)
We hope those present for Mr. White’s performance are able to maintain their good memories from the experience and he looks forward to seeing them again soon.
Sincerely,
Monotone Inc.”
