The White Stripes Honoring Veterans with Secret Gig

The White Stripes performed a secret London show for a group of pensioners. Jack and Meg White performed the acoustic set at the Royal College Hospital in West London yesterday (12.06.07) in front of 20 war veterans.

An emotional Jack told the Chelsea pensioners: "Besides letting us in to our home, we want to thank you for the service you've done your country and the rest of the world, especially the United States of America." When asked about the unlikely gig, Jack replied: "You should talk to these guys instead. They've got so many stories."

The duo performed six songs in front of a seated audience of Chelsea pensioners, who were wearing their traditional red jackets and military decorations. Although most of the elderly gentlemen were unfamiliar with the music of their rock star visitors, they clapped along enthusiastically to the closing sequence of cover versions, including an old ballad called 'You Belong To Me'.

One Chelsea pensioner, 60-year-old Brian Wells, said: "I remember it from when I was serving out in Malaya. But these youngsters more than did it justice. I think they're fantastic."

Profits from the performance will go to the Chelsea Pensioners' Appeal and The London Pearly Kings And Queens Society's chosen charities. The White Stripes will headline the O2 Wireless festival in London's Hyde Park tomorrow (14.06.07).

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