First up, Meg White’s kits 

The first kit that comes to mind when I think of Meg White’s setup is that iconic red and white Ludwig Accent. The brand built 32 identical versions of it for the “Hardest Button to Button” video. It was the striking finish that made this kit stand out, and it matched the red colour scheme of The White Stripes perfectly, which was a nice personal touch.  

The video itself is pretty unique. With so much gear to move – 32 drum kits, 32 amps, and 16 mic stands – they had to keep everything within about 600 feet. The amps were rented, but the kits had to be bought. To stop them from being flipped online, all 32 were later donated to a local music school. 

If you want to achieve the same sound, you can pick up your own Ludwig Accent 22″ Drive 5-piece kit in a similar bold red colour. 

During the early years of The White Stripes, though, White’s go-to kit was a Pearl Export, which is still one of the bestselling kits of all time.   

She later switched to a Ludwig Classic Maple kit for studio sessions and touring. This is a high-quality, versatile kit that aligned perfectly with her minimalist drumming style and the raw, distinctive sound of The White Stripes.  

Choosing to use a 20″ kick drum played a big role in shaping her punchy, unmistakable low-end sound. In one word, it’s powerful. And you can instantly recognise it on classics like “Blue Orchid” and “Seven Nation Army”. 

White’s cymbal choices followed the same stripped-back ethos. She started her career with Zildjian cymbals before moving to Paiste, namely the Paiste 22″ 2002 Ride and Paiste 14″ Signature Medium Hi-Hats. The 2002 Ride delivers a bright, clear ping that cuts through guitar-heavy mixes, while the Signature hi-hats offer a smooth yet defined response – spot on for her steady, metronomic style. 

Originally, she preferred to use Zildjian 5A Black Dip sticks with a nylon tip. The black coating is designed to improve grip and make them more comfortable to hold, and they’re still a go-to option for plenty of Zildjian fans around the world. From 2005 onwards, however, White switched to Vater sticks, which she used until The White Stripes disbanded.  

Her setup was very minimalistic and compact; she didn’t need to rely on loads of gear to achieve what she wanted. If you’re trying to capture her sound, focus on a well-tuned kit, dry ride cymbals, and a light but controlled stick approach. The rest is just extras.  

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Meg White’s drumming style 

Meg White often took a laid-back and spacious approach to her playing. Her style was simple, but that’s exactly what made The White Stripes’ sound so distinctive. She never felt the need to overplay within the songs and often found ways to create space by simply playing a pulse-like groove or simple backbeat.

That space gave the guitar room to breathe. It also let the songs build tension and release in a way that felt raw and deliberate, without ever cluttering the mix. 

Take “Seven Nation Army”, for example, her steady kick-snare pattern sits right behind the riff, never pulling focus. It’s consistent and proves that not every song needs complex grooves or flourishes to carry a song.

Her approach to drumming meant every beat had weight, which added a real drive to each song. On tracks like “The Hardest Button to Button”, she ties rhythmic changes to the lyrics. Her playing builds intensity without ever getting busy, with repetition and small shifts ramping up the pressure.

White often mirrored movements diagonally across her limbs – like pairing her right hand with her left foot – which gave her drumming a tribal, grounded feel. It fit perfectly with the band’s lo-fi aesthetic; if she had a polished style, that raw urgency may not have been there! 

Beyond drums, Meg White also sang on a few tracks, “In the Cold, Cold Night” being the most well-known, and was instrumental in crafting the band’s consistent visual identity.

Reception in the press and from fellow musicians 

Reactions to Meg White’s drumming have always been divided. Some see her as a symbol of raw authenticity, while others believe her playing was too minimalistic. Either way, her drumming has sparked debate about what actually makes a drummer “good”.  

A lot of the praise for White’s drumming comes from how perfectly it suited The White Stripes. Her drumming was simple and powerful, yet it gave the music space to breathe. In essence, she proved that you don’t need flashy technique – the drumming just needs to feel right! The White Stripes will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year (2025), making White the 5th female drummer to receive the honour.  

As is common for many female artists, White also faced a lot of misogyny throughout her career. She was rarely judged just for her playing. Instead, critics commented on her personality and her appearance – cheap and unnecessary attacks in a male-dominated industry. She was often reduced to how she looked on stage, or dismissed as just being shy, while her male peers were judged on their creativity and skill as drummers.

Although much of the criticism played out online, it wasn’t the only place she faced it. Some music journalists wrote articles framing her reserved nature as “odd”, rather than recognising it as a deliberate choice. Any debate on her drumming was led by gender expectations rather than genuine discussion about skill.

White did have many supporters, especially within the industry. Kid Congo Powers spoke up about her experiences and highlighted that White’s style was intentionally minimalistic. It was never meant to be flashy; her drumming was rhythmically tight yet sparse, and her role in the music wasn’t to lead but to support, allowing the spotlight to stay elsewhere.

Meg White wasn’t the first to face this kind of backlash, and she probably won’t be the last. This broader bias is something many women in the industry deal with on a daily basis, especially if they don’t match the usual expectations around technique, skill, or presentation.

In the end, White’s drumming sparked a wider conversation, even if it divided opinion. Her legacy goes beyond technique. She showed that you don’t have to play loud or fast to create something meaningful. Sometimes, less really is more.

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White’s enduring influence  

Before we get to how Meg White has impacted future drummers, it’s insightful to look at who influenced her. White’s main inspirations were Moe Tucker and Peggy O’Neill. You can hear their influence in her playing as both had a way of playing what they felt the music needed instinctively, rather than adding complex rhythms just to show off. Simplicity was key, and that’s what White took.  

White has inspired drummers to realise that flashy grooves and speedy chops aren’t everything. You can still be a solid drummer by mastering the basics, which has been a game-changing concept for many newer players. Meg White has helped remind us that being a skilled drummer is about more than just putting on a show. You can hear White’s influence in bands that favour stripped-back setups and lo-fi textures.

Plenty of artists point to her as proof that feel matters more than fuss. Take Karissa Talanian, for example, she started drumming after seeing White play. She fronts the band Plum and now runs her own record label. 

There’s a symbolic side to White’s legacy, too. I found it inspiring to see a woman behind the kit in a major rock band. She was quiet and unpolished. Her drumming is something you can connect to on an emotional level. 

FAQs 

What song does Meg White sing? 

Meg White sings lead on three White Stripes tracks: “In the Cold, Cold Night,” “Passive Manipulation,” and “St. Andrew (This Battle Is in the Air).” She went for a minimalist vocal style on each track, which fits well with the band’s raw, guitar-led garage rock sound. “In the Cold, Cold Night”, from the Elephant album, in particular, added a powerful new layer to the band’s sound.

How good of a drummer was Meg White? 

Meg White is widely seen as a great drummer, with a minimalist style that played a key role in shaping The White Stripes’ sound. Her straightforward, driving playing gave the music a solid backbone, allowing Jack White’s guitar parts to take centre stage in the songs.

Why did Meg White quit music? 

Meg White stepped away from music largely because of acute anxiety, which was also the reason The White Stripes had to cancel their 2007 tour. After the band officially split in 2011, she chose to retire from the spotlight. Her departure from the band marked the end of an era, but her legacy is still ongoing. 

Final thoughts  

Meg White’s drumming might split opinion, but her impact is hard to ignore. 

Her setup was simple. Her playing was raw. And her presence was a big part of what defined The White Stripes. Whether you’re fully behind her style or still unsure about her technique, getting to know Meg White’s role really helps make sense of what made the band’s sound and legacy stick.