Watch Jack White's Electric First Saturday Night Live Performances from 2002
You'll *never* guess who introduced the rocker's band, The White Stripes, during his SNL Musical Guest debut.
Jack White has been part of the Saturday Night Live family for decades. Not only has he performed as a Musical Guest five times — he's even an official member of the Five-Timers Club, at fellow inductee Woody Harrelson's insistence — he’s been impersonated by SNL cast members, and has pitched sketch ideas to the writers.
White is also among over a dozen musicians performing at SNL50: The Homecoming Concert, after appearing in Questlove and Oz Rodriguez's Ladies and Gentleman...50 Years of SNL Music documentary.
So when exactly did White’s long history with SNL begin? Read on to revisit the rocker’s very first performance as a Musical Guest as one half of the duo The White Stripes.
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Watch Jack White perform "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground" and "We're Going to Be Friends" on SNL
On October 19, 2002, White made his SNL Musical Guest debut alongside drummer Meg White when the White Stripes performed during Season 28, Episode 3.
The White Stripes were introduced by the late Sen. John McCain, who was host of the episode.
“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s give it up for the White Stripes,” McCain said as Jack White and Meg White hit the stage at Studio 8H. The rock duo delivered a rousing live performance of their 2001 hit song “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” from the band’s White Blood Cells album, and the ballad "We're Going to Be Friends."
Watch The White Stripes perform "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground" on Saturday Night Live:
The White Stripes perform "We're Going to Be Friends" live on SNL:
How many times has Jack White performed on SNL?
White has performed five times as a Musical Guest on SNL.
After the White Stripes split in 2011, White returned as a solo artist.
The rocker performed on March 3, 2012 for Season 37’s episode hosted by Lindsay Lohan. He returned for his third time on April 14, 2018 when former SNL writer John Mulaney hosted Season 43, Episode 18. White was the Musical Guest once again in Season 26 on October 10, 2020, with Host Bill Burr. His most turn was on February 25, 2023 for Season 48’s episode hosted by Woody Harrelson.
“You know what? He’s been here five times, too. Does he get a jacket?” Harrelson said as he introduced White ahead of his 2023 performance. Indeed, White was inducted into SNL's Five-Timers Club that night and, of course, received the coveted jacket.
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Jack White has also appeared in an SNL sketch
In Season 43’s “Cut for Time: Wedding Toast” sketch, White managed to keep a straight face as the best man (Luke Null) sang about a secret love affair with the bride (Cecily Strong) and the groom (Mulaney) was more confused by every lyric. Especially when it’s revealed White is involved too.
“Tonight, we’ll meet. At the dark end of the street,” White sings with Null and Strong as Mulaney buzzes behind them. “You, me, and Jack.” The song then ends with all three going in for a kiss and somehow no one broke character and burst out laughing.
How to watch Jack White’s performance at SNL50: The Homecoming Concert
You can stream SNL50: The Homecoming Concert and catch White’s performance live on Peacock at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Friday, February 14.
The three-hour concert special will also feature performances from Bad Bunny, Brandi Carlile, Dave Grohl, Jelly Roll, Lady Gaga, The Roots, The B-52's, Bonnie Raitt, and many, many more.
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