Who Are the Raconteurs?

The Raconteurs are a rock and roll group that is lead by Jack White of the White Stripes and Brendon Benson. The band originated in Detroit Michigan in 2005. It was formed while Jack White and Brendan Benson wrote a song together in an unknown attic during the summer. The song was “Steady As She Goes” was the inspiration behind the formation of The Raconteurs. Other members of the group include Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler. Their labels include Third Man Recordings, XL Recordings from the United Kingdom and V2 Recordings in the United States. Although the band originated in Detroit, Michigan they are now based in Nashville.

Jack White was born John Anthony Gillis on July 9, 1975 in Detroit, the youngest of ten siblings. He is an American rock musician, producer and actor. He is best known as the guitarist and lead vocalist of the rock duo The White Stripes. He is also known for his eccentric behavior, hobbies and passions.

He now does vocals, plays guitar and the keyboard for The Raconteurs. White married Karen Elson on June 1, 2005 and they have one child.

Brendon Benson was born in Detroit, Michigan. He is a Berkley, California based singer and songwriter. He debuted at the age of 26 with a sterling first album, 1996’s “One Mississippi”. Due to record company troubles, the album quickly lost momentum. Benson’s genre includes rock and his styles include pop underground, Indie pop, alternative pop and rock. A few of Benson’s many moods include fun, happy, energetic, confident, innocent, cheerful and carefree. He also does vocals, plays guitar and the keyboard for The Raconteurs.

Jack Lawrence is a member of The Greenhorne’s and also Blanche, as well as The Raconteurs. He does vocals and plays bass for The Greenhorne’s who he has been with since their beginning in the mid 1990’s. He has done vocals and played the banjo and auto harp for Blanche since the Summer of 2004. His responsibilities for The Raconteurs include vocals and bass. Jack Lawrence resides in Northern Kentucky with his long time love Kelli and their two cats.

Patrick Keeler is the drummer for The Greenhornes and The Raconteurs.

The Raconteurs debut album, The Broken Boy Soldiers was released on May 16th of this year via Third Man and V2. The ten track set is led by the single Steady As She Goes. Other tracks on the album include Hands, Broken Boy Soldier, Intimate Secretary, Together, Level, Store Bought Bones, Yellow Sun, Call it a Day and Blue Veins. The basic tracks of the album were laid down at Benson’s East Grand Studio. They got together whenever they could throughout the year to get the album done.

Recently The Raconteurs were in Japan finishing up make-up dates that were postponed earlier in the year due to Jack White having a vocal cord ailment.

Raconteur is a 19th century word that refers to someone who tells stories or anecdotes in an interesting or entertaining way. The Raconteurs debut album is definitely an unfolding story and it is sure to entertain all who hear it.