In an odd, somewhat surprising bit of news, Jack White and Karen Elson announced today that they plan “to celebrate their 6th anniversary and their upcoming divorce with a positive swing bang hum dinger” in Nashville. A press release includes an invitation to the private party, reading: “Please help us celebrate together this anniversary of the making and breaking of the sacred union of marriage with our best friends and animals.”

Given that the talented couple, who added that they will “remain dear and trusted friends and co-parents to our wonderful children Scarlett and Henry Lee,” are opting to focus on better days, I thought we might as well: Enjoy a chronological recap of their key recording and music video collaborations so far, beginning with the 2005 White Stripes video where they met and ending with recent cuts from Elson’s White-produced solo material, below.

Buddy Holly, one of the most influential and iconic figures in rock history, will be paid tribute by a slew of some of the biggest names in rock lucky enough to live beyond Holly’s tragically short life of 22 years: On June 28, Fantasy Records and Concord Music Group will release Rave On Buddy Holly, a 19-track covers record featuring Holly classics performed by the likes of Paul McCartney, Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Julian Casablancas, the Black Keys, Graham Nash, She & Him, Cee-Lo, and — noted master of the cover song — Fiona Apple with Jon Brion.

Of the impressive roster, McCartney has the most consistent, long-running record of tributes paid to his teen idol, as he’s been performing Holly songs ever since the Beatles’ 1964 album Beatles for Sale included a take on “Words of Love.” Most notably, McCartney produced, hosted, and starred in a 1985 documentary called The Real Buddy Holly Story, which you can watch here. Check out a clip from that film alongside the tracklist below:

by Nicole Rallis

After Mark Ronson’s all-star set at the Défilé Etam Lingerie fashion show in Paris knocked our socks off last week—in which the likes of The Kills, Gossip’s Beth Ditto, Karen Elson, and others rocked the runway—it got us thinking about other innovative designers who are enlisting equally fabulous musicians to showcase the catwalk. Check out four stellar videos, as well as the aforementioned clip as a bonus, that we’ve culled from the Web of Cat Power, Sonic Youth, La Roux, and Björk as they aurally enchant onlookers by soundtracking the creations of Chanel, Alexander McQueen, Marc Jacobs and Viktor & Rolf.

On September 21, Karen Elson will release the second single off her debut LP, The Ghost Who Walks, via iTunes and on 7” vinyl through Third Man Records. While the A-side will be (one of my faves) “The Truth Is In The Dirt,” the flip side features Elson’s previously unreleased cover of 1966 Donovan single “Season of the Witch.” Preceding this release, however, Elson will make her late-night TV debut on the Late Show with David Letterman (you know, that show her husband performed on last night).

Though we’ll have to wait a month to hear the studio rendition of “Season of the Witch,” the song has been sung by Elson live numerous times, most notably during a pro-shot full concert at Third Man in the spring. Check out that version, as well as a live video of Elson channeling Sandy Denny’s version of Jackson C. Frank’s “Milk and Honey” for good measure, below:

Though singer, model, and wife to Jack White, Karen Elson, who made her live debut as a solo artist earlier this year at Austin’s SXSW, was forced to postpone her European tour recently due to “unforeseen circumstances,” the fine folks at Third Man Records are offering a nice consolation prize for fans living on the other side of the Atlantic, not to mention those unable to attend her 7-gig string of North American tour dates in June. Originally posted on her official site is an hour-long set from Elson and her band (including Mr. Meg White himself, Jackson Smith), live from Third Man’s Nashville headquarters.

Watch the professionally-shot video below, featuring Elson and company playing cuts from her debut Jack White-produced LP, The Ghost Who Walks. And if that’s just not enough “free” for the day, go ahead and stream said LP here, as well.

We’ve been following Karen Elson’s music ever since she furtively dropped a so-called Mildred and the Mice single via her husband’s Third Man Records this time last year, and, finally, a full-length record is imminent. A live rendition of the title track (featuring Meg White’s spouse/Patti Smith’s son, Jackson Smith) ensured that the LP was well worth the hype and her fireside take on “Stolen Roses” hit the spot, but neither teasers hold a candle to a full stream of Elson’s solo debut, The Ghost Who Walks, produced by that guy we’ve been talking about way too much.

Check out all 12, analog-recorded tracks from Elson’s record below (via the Observer):

As Karen Elson gears up for the summer release of The Ghost Who Walks, via Jack White’s Third Man Records, she is unveiling a few teasers which certainly prove that her debut solo album will be more than a vanity project backed by her famous rock star husband. We loved Elson and friends’ live studio video to the title track last month, and heard strong reviews coming from her SXSW showcase last weekend, but another preview arrived today…

Elson premiered the video (watch below) of “The Ghost Who Walks” B-side “Stolen Roses,” filmed in Los Angeles’ notoriously musical Laurel Canyon by Maximilla Lukacs and Sarah Sophie Flicker, aka the Belles of the Black Diamond Field (perfect match, right?).