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Jack White recently got his first cell phone and fans are delighted by how he's using it

"A family written by Tim Burton."

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Jack White at SXSW in Austin in 2011.

Musician Jack White descended on the Detroit rock music scene like it was nobody's business. With a completely unique sound, both edgy and accessible, he and his (now ex) wife Meg helped effortlessly define a generation of rock with their band The White Stripes. Though disbanded, their music continues to influence other bands to this day.

Listen to one album, go to one concert, watch one interview—and you'll know there's something eccentric and special about Jack. So it wasn't super surprising to find out he somehow resisted getting a cell phone—until about 12 weeks ago.

Not having a smartphone is part of a dying breed; however, a few other celebrities have held out. Selme Angulo's "10 Hollywood Stars Who Have Ditched Their Cell Phones," lists Christopher Walken, Justin Bieber, Elton John, Michael Cera, and Chris Pine, to name a few (at least as of last year).

But Jack White finally caved after his current wife got him a smartphone for his 50th birthday. It was such a big shift, he even took to social media to post about it. He wrote:

"Well y'all it's either all over for me now or just the beginning. I am now the reluctant owner of a cellular telephone for the first time in my life! A lovely 50th birthday present courtesy of my gorgeous and thoughtful wife Mrs. Olivia Jean (who took these photos as well.) I've been saying that my days were numbered for years, can't listen to my music in my car, can't park at a parking lot by myself because of QR codes, etc. etc. and I guess Olivia decided to be kind and put me (and all my loved ones) out of my misery! I thought if I could make it to 50 years old at least without ever having one that I could be proud of myself, and I am. Can't wait to talk to you all soon. My phone number is the square root of all of our combined social interaction times Pi."


Lucky for all of us. Just a few days ago, Jack (well, technically his daughter Scarlett) took to TikTok with a clip of herself, her mother—Karen Elson, another sweet ex-wife of Jack's—and Mr. "I didn't even have a cell phone until last summer" to make an adorable video wherein they lip-sync Prince's "When Doves Cry."

Just 19 years old, Scarlett is rocking the fashion industry as a model. After her runway show in Paris, the three got together for the clip with a chyron reading "Meet the parents."

The adorable awkwardness is bringing joy to fans. Many are noting how special their family is: "Love to see a divorced couple that's still a family. Thanks for setting a great example."

Others marvel at the fact that Jack didn't even have a phone as of this past summer, and is now dancing on TikTok. "Few months ago Jack didn’t even own a phone, now he’s in TikTok mode," one person wrote. Another shares, "Watching Jack White acclimate to phone culture in real time is so fascinating."

Another commenter suggests the next viral clip should include his son: "This is soooo adorable! Next: hardcore punk version with Henry, please."

On Scarlett's initial TikTok post, someone ingeniously writes: "A family written by Tim Burton." Along those lines, fans are so pleased to see how well the two seem to co-parent Scarlett: "A lot of people don't realize these two have been divorced for 12 years. If your child still loves both of you after 12 years divorced, you're doing just fine guys."

What most everyone agrees on is the coolness factor emanating out of all of them. "Now THIS is a flex," one person commented. "No notes."

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Elton John was once handed lyrics to make up a song on the spot and it was an instant hit

He can make anything into a masterpiece.

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Sir Elton can make anything into a song.

Musical geniuses take on many forms. But the ones who can seemingly pluck inspiration right out of the imaginary realm and create masterpieces on the spot are particularly astonishing.

Those blessed with this gift of expediency confound us because they appear to not be bound by the normal limitations of being human. Virtually any of us could create something impressive, given enough time and effort. But some savants have no barriers between them and that mysterious, divine substance that makes ideas into reality.

Mere mortals need processes, methods, rituals, even a dose of liquid courage (or something stronger) in order to conjure that sort of power within themselves. So those who just do it willy nilly…well, they’re practically gods.

It feels safe to put Sir Elton John in this deity category, if not for his discography alone, but for having that uncanny ability to create catchy, compelling songs in almost no time at all.

Take “The Circle of Life” for Disney’s “The Lion King," for instance. A well-known story behind this famous tune is that Sir Elton concocted it in less than two hours.

“I gave him the lyrics at the beginning of the session at about two in the afternoon. By half-past three, he’d finished writing and recording a stunning demo,” lyricist Tim Rice recalled.

But why read an anecdote? Why not see this talent in action?

Back in 2001, while interviewing with legendary British chat show host Michael Parkinson (who died Aug. 16, 2023), the “Tiny Dancer” singer was given the challenge of spontaneously making up a song to lyrics he had never seen before, written by Parkinson’s writing team.

Here’s how he did:

Yep, only Sir Elton could make a song about anything, even clogged storm drains.

Other folks who watched the video were left enamored. Here’s what they had to say:

“I am totally convinced he is the most talented musician of his generation. The lyrics don't matter, his ability to come up with the vocal melody and chord progression is nothing short of genius.”

“Elton shines so bright.”

“Elton and Mozart must have that same music gene. Their minds must work the same way, everything they read, see or hear, they read, see or hear in music.”

Maybe gifts like Sir Elton John’s are a rarity, but it’s a gift that touches so many.

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Watch a young and fabulous Elton John play 'Tiny Dancer' for the very first time

History in action.

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Watching genius at work here.

Even in the modern age of constant social media posting, we rarely get to witness the making of great art before it becomes famous. So when there’s any sort of behind-the-scenes glimpse showing how an iconic cultural staple was created, particularly one from a bygone era, it just feels like magic.

In a now-viral clip posted to Twitter by author and screenwriter James Leighton (@JamesL1927), we get just that, as a young Elton John plays a ditty that would later become one of his greatest hits.

A ’70s-era Elton is seen at the piano, sifting through a short stack of papers with lyrics on them written by his longtime creative partner Bernie Taupin. Elton lands on a page he had worked on putting music to a few days prior, which he “fancied writing” because it was about Bernie’s girlfriend, and he figured he’d probably appreciate it.

He called it “Tiny Dancer.”

The camera cuts to a young Bernie, head full of hair, making the comment that, “Reg [Elton] has to write very fast because he hasn’t got the patience to sort of spend hours or days on something.”

Not objecting to the comment, Elton then talks through his process, explaining how the music should have an upbeat tempo until the word “ballerina,” which “you know it’s not gonna be fast, it's gonna be gentle.” It’s pretty wild seeing musical genius caught on tape.

He then puts the words to music, and history is made.


As Elton plays, we also get to see Maxine Feibelman, Bernie’s then girlfriend and THE Tiny Dancer herself, hear the song for the first time, clearly digging the tribute.

It’s kind of hard to imagine that “Tiny Dancer” wouldn’t find instant popularity. According to American Songwriter, a lot of the song’s signature layers were edited out to make it shorter, and therefore playable on the radio, which didn’t help it top the charts. Luckily the song would eventually be heard in its full glory and quickly became a classic rock staple.

Elton and Bernie would, of course, go on to write together for decades, producing all-time hits “Bennie and the Jets,” “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and “I’m Still Standing.”

The ability to let people experience ultra-rare, pivotal moments in culture is undoubtedly one of the greatest things the internet has to offer.

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Elton John moved to tears when President Biden shocks him with National Humanities Medal

'I’m never flabbergasted, but I’m flabbergasted.'

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Elton John surprised with National Humanities Medal.

In life, there are some things that just leave you speechless and Sir Elton John had that moment September 23 at the White House. After a performance on the South Lawn, Sir Elton was left with his mouth agape as President Biden took to the mic to explain that he would be receiving the National Humanities Medal for his work with the nonprofit Elton John AIDS Foundation, which supports HIV prevention, stigma reduction, education and help for people living with HIV and AIDS. The singer looked totally dumbstruck at the announcement as the reality began to sink in.

John has been open with his struggles around drugs and other risky behaviors that put him at risk of contracting AIDS, and at a conference in 2012 he pondered why he hadn't died as many others did. Thankfully, John didn't die in the '90s from the still incurable disease and he went on to be one of its most fierce fighters for understanding and a cure. John has remained sober for well over two decades now and, in 1992, he started his foundation in an effort to end AIDS around the world. In 2021, John's foundation joined forces with Walmart to keep access to testing, treatment and prevention accessible to everyone, including those in greatest need.

The "Tiny Dancer" singer has been in the trenches of HIV/AIDS work for decades and has been recognized for his efforts in the past, including receiving Harvard's Humanitarian Award in 2017. But it's clear from his reaction to President Biden announcing the medal that Sir Elton John was not prepared to receive such an honor. He quickly became overcome with emotions before saying, "I just said to the First Lady, I'm never flabbergasted, but I'm flabbergasted. I'm humbled and honored by this incredible award from the United States of America." He went on to say that it will make him double his efforts to end the disease.

It's such a moving moment and a wonderful surprise. Watch the video below.

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