Jack White Statement Addresses Guacamole Gate

Earlier this week, Jack White played a show at the University of Oklahoma’s McCasland Field House one day after the school’s newspaper OU Daily published details of what he was getting paid and shared his rider. White’s rider, as with most tour riders, featured a number of very specific requests including a suggested guacamole recipe. Jack called out the paper for publishing the information during the concert and soon there after his booking agency, William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, told the University representatives that they would no longer book bands or other talents to come to OU according to a report in that same University paper.

[Photo by David James Swanson]

The story has gone viral today, leading White’s team to issue a statement about “Guacamole Gate”:

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.

(Jack White’s management)

Jack White reportedly exclaimed, “Just because you can type it on your computer doesn’t make it right” during the concert. The OU Daily staff addressed many of the concerns raised by the original article as well as White’s onstage comments and statement in a post that was published on Wednesday and updated this evening. OU Daily feels it was within its rights to share the public information contained within White’s contract including the rider.

And if you really want to see guacamole recipe that helped start all this hubbub, head here.