Even after selling million of records and winning Grammy awards, Jack White says that he still isn’t sure what makes The White Stripes work. After all, there are only two members in the band and their music is boiled down to its essentials.

“I don’t know why it works on the radio or on MTV or on a stage in front of 80,000 people,” White said in an interview with AP Radio. “It seems like there should be more going on, there should be these anthems.”

However, having only two people in the band has its advantages. After all, he said, there isn’t a third person to take sides and cause discord within the group.

“The whole idea of the band, if it has a concept to it, it’s all about what not to do,” White said. “Why be repetitive? Why have two guitars? Why have a bassist playing the same thing the guitars are playing? Let’s break this down and still have it be rock and roll. Let’s show what two people can do.”

White’s idea of simplicity has earned him much musical credibility, including the respect of country legend Loretta Lynn . The White Stripes dedicated their third album, 2003’s “Elephant” to her. When she heard about it, she invited them over for a dinner of chicken and dumplings. Then they played a show together in New York City. When White heard that Lynn was planning to do a new album, he said he would love to produce it. He got the job.

Credit: AP