White Stripes play surprise show

The White Stripes played a surprise acoustic show at the Royal Chelsea Hospital in London on Tuesday afternoon (June 12th), according to NME. They played for an audience of what are known in England as the Chelsea Pensioners, elderly retired military men who live full-time at the hospital. Jack White played an acoustic guitar and piano, while Meg White performed on a stripped-down drum kit. The duo were dressed in red in honor of the distinctive red coats that are the uniform of the Chelsea Pensioners.

Jack White introduced himself and his ex-wife by saying, "I'm Jack White and this is my big sister Meg. We're from the United States, thanks for letting us into your home, we really appreciate it."

The Stripes played six songs for the seated audience. Jack White introduced his new acoustic guitar as "Rita," adding that it was named after actress Rita Hayworth, a picture of whom was stenciled on the instrument's back.

Jack closed the show by saying, "Besides letting us into your home my sister and I also want to thank you for your service to your country and to the world, especially the United States."

The hospital and the Chelsea Pensioners program were founded in 1692 by King Charles II and intended for the "succour and relief of veterans broken by age and war."

The Stripes played a full concert in London on Tuesday night, with proceeds from the show going to the Chelsea Pensioners' Appeal and other charities.

The new White Stripes album, Icky Thump, arrives next Tuesday (June 19th). A special limited edition version of the album on a 512MB USB drive will be made available in addition to the usual CD and vinyl versions. Only 3,333 copies of the USB version will be available, either shaped like Jack or Meg White.

The band begins a summer North American tour on June 17th at the Bonnaroo Festival in Tennessee.
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