“I’ve got three fathers: my biological dad, God, and Bob Dylan,” said Jack White once of the poet laureate of rock, with whom he has since shared the stage and collaborated on an album of music written for unreleased Hank Williams lyrics that has yet to surface. It’s fitting, then, that Dylan’s songs have been adapted by Jack White and his White Stripes, Dead Weather, and other Third Man bandmates so seamlessly — a near-hereditary passing of the torch, perhaps. Notably, Dylan played an important role in White’s early career as well: granting permission for the Stripes to cover Desire’s “One More Cup of Coffee” on their self-titled debut and inspiring Jack’s earliest shows, at which he performed Dylan’s entire first album for apathetic audiences in Detroit coffee houses.

There have been many Dylan covers unleashed by White live, in the studio, and on the radio since his salad days, of course. So, without further ado, enjoy our collection below:

Speaking of Meg and Jack White, how’s this for great Friday news: Third Man Records announced today that they will release a live double-LP of the White Stripes’ final live performance in Southaven, Mississippi on July 31, 2007, two of the band’s earliest recordings (Otis Redding and Love covers dating back to just months following their 1997 live debut) on 7” vinyl, and a live DVD called Under Moorhead Lights All Fargo Night, which features footage from their 2000 concert in Moorhead, Minnesota.

You must join their subscription service, The Vault, to obtain these awesome items at this time. Check out more details, including the film and live album’s tracklist, here or below:

This year’s surprise White Stripes split was a bit devastating for some of us, sure, but Jack White’s Third Man Records deserve plenty of credit for helping with the healing process: Not only has White begun performing old favorites live again, but the Nashville label are now set to reissue both of the duo’s stunning debut singles, “Let’s Shake Hands” b/w “Look Me Over Closely” (Marlene Dietrich Cover) and “Lafayette” b/w “Sugar Never Tasted So Good.”

According to the label’s official site and Buy These Records (via CoS), the pair of 1998 singles will arrive on Record Store Day (April 16) alongside more TMR 7” releases: two unreleased Karen Elson tracks “Vicious” and “In Trouble With The Lord” with rose pedals inside the 1,000 limited vinyl copies and “Two Against One”/”Black”, a pair of cuts off Jack White’s Danger Mouse/Daniele Luppi-led project, Rome.

Between these releases and recent reissues of the first three White Stripes LPs, it’s clear that White and friends are making good on their promise to re-release their entire catalog over time. Y’know, even tunes originally put out on 45s fetching $18,000 at auction.

An intriguing quote from the former White Stripes frontman has been making the rounds this week, in which Jack White revealed to Q Magazine (via DIY) that he won’t join (or presumably start) another band. “Three’s enough for one lifetime,” he added. “If I can’t say it in any of these bands, then I’ll say it by myself.”

What’s next for Jack? That’s anyone’s guess, but I would like to point out a few things before we get too carried away with the quote. First off, I have to respectfully disagree with our friends at Spinner’s belief that his decision comes “in light of the demise of the White Stripes,” as I’ve traced back the interview to at least a few months ago, long before the sad WS announcement earlier this month. Also, way back in July of last year was when White first mentioned that the Dead Weather would be his final band. “This is it for bands for me,” he said (at the 5:50 mark in the video below). “I think this is the last one I’ll be a part of, so… but I’m producing a lot of records as I always have…”

Given that both statements were made prior to the Stripes breakup, one wonders if he’s had a change of heart “in light of” his current 2-band status. In any event, I can’t wait to hear what the Third Man has in store.

Rather than expound on the significance of the White Stripes, mere hours after the announcement of their breakup, or reflect at length on the personal significance of Meg and Jack White’s musical partnership (too soon!), I thought it best to recall a few fond memories I’ve had as a longtime fan. If random events from the life of a dude you’ve never met aren’t your thing, enter at your own risk, but otherwise, here are 5 moments (alongside streaming songs) I’d like to bookmark before forging on into the White Stripes-less future…

Back in October of 1998, Jack and Meg White unleashed their 2nd single as The White Stripes, “Lafayette Blues,” on 15 limited vinyl 45s sold after an early gig at Detroit’s Gold Dollar bar. As you might guess, Stripes fans and collectors alike have been dreaming of getting their hands on one of the über-rare, hand-painted records in the decade-plus that followed. “No one’s gonna buy it at the Gold Dollar for six dollars!” White recalled telling Ben Blackwell at the time (via CoS). Well, not only did all the Dave Buick (Italy Records) and Jack White-designed copies sell out immediately, but those lucky early fans were also making a pretty wise investment, it seems. Third Man Records’ Ben Swank reports:

The first copy to sell went for $800 back in 2003 and it’s been sky-rocketing ever since. Just recently I’ve had the pleasure of coordinating the sale of one of these singles for the stately sum of $18,000. Yes, you read that correctly…eighteen thousand United States dollars. This copy was painted by Mr. Buick and is pressed on especially swirly red/white vinyl.

Fortunately, while most of us don’t have that kind of dough to spend on rare vinyl, we can enjoy the recording itself — albeit on an inferior digital format. Hear “Lafayette Blues” and check out footage of Jack and Meg performing their first single, “Let’s Shake Hands,” at the Gold Dollar in ‘99 after the jump.

A few links of note before regularly [un]scheduled programming beings…

• As we mentioned when the trailer hit the web, Spike Jonze’s new 30-minute robot love story, I’m Here, features music by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Nick Zinner, Flea, and a gorgeous song by the Moonrats’ Aska Matsumiya called “There Are Many of Us.” Now Jonze and company are offering limited free screenings of the full film online (via /Film) every couple hours. 
• Jack White did a fashion photo shoot and interview with AnOther magazine, and they’ve posted a nice preview online in which he connects Larry David’s character on Curb Your Enthusiasm to the blues and more.
• Flavorwire counted down 35 great musical moments in film, and graciously limited their list to only 3 Wes Anderson picks. Off the top of my head, I would add Lou Reed’s “Street Hassle” in Squid and the Whale and Smog’s “Vessel in Vain” from the Dead Man’s Shoes opening sequence.
• Spoon broke down their set list strategy to 10 easy steps.