Jack White took a brief break from his current world tour promoting Boarding House Reach to receive the key to the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. Mayor John Cranley recognized White for his support in the preservation of the historic King Records building.
White headlined the Bunbury Music Festival in Cincinnati on Sunday alongside the Chainsmokers and Post Malone, but he met with the city’s mayor outside of King Records before his performance. “Jack White has been an unfailing supporter of King Records,” said Mayor Cranley.
King Records was founded in Cincinnati in 1943. The record company signed artists like Bootsy Collins, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Otis Williams, Philip Paul and James Brown. Brown and the Famous Flames recorded their first single “Please, Please, Please” at the studio in 1956. The company closed in 1975, but the city recently acquired the building and saved it from demolition. At its peak, King Records was the sixth-largest record company in the country.
Mayor Cranley tweeted photos from the ceremony, which was attended by many former King Records musicians.
Special day giving #JackWhite a key to the city at the original King Records building, which the city now owns. Joined by King musicians Otis Williams, Philip Paul, @Bootsy_Collins , and Evanston leader Ms. Anzora Adkins. We are working on major plans to restore King! pic.twitter.com/6Exp5sIZzP
— John Cranley (@JohnCranley) June 4, 2018
You can make a tax-deductible donation to help the Cincinnati USA Music Heritage Foundation support the preservation of the King Records building right here and find a full list of the stops on White’s summer tour here.