posted 05-07-2012 04:19 PM               

While White's musical interests venture deep down into the loamy soil of American culture, his curiosity has also drawn him in the opposite direction-chiefly, toward outer space. When we were discussing who would interview White for this story, he asked if the questioning duties could be handled by former astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who, along with Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins, was part of the 1969 Apollo 11 lunar mission that saw Armstrong and Aldrin become the first and second people to walk on the moon. We put the request to Aldrin, and to everyone's surprise and delight, he graciously obliged. Interview contributing music editor Dimitri Ehrlich and the 82-year-old Aldrin caught up with White, 36, in Memphis, where he was preparing to play a show that evening.

The closest I ever came to a Jack White was a Jack Waite I used to know who was a rep for North American Aviation. He was married to a gorgeous gal. I also used to know a Ralph White—he died recently, but he dove down to the Titanic in Russian submersibles. I had lunch with him once, and he said that he spent more time on the Titanic than the captain did. [Ehrlich and White laugh] That's a joke. [Aldrin laughs] But Jack, now that I am familiar with your work, I do have some questions for you...

ALDRIN: Jack, you know, I read in Rolling Stone that you ranked number 17 out of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. That's quite an accomplishment.

WHITE: Thank you.

ALDRIN: But tell me: Why do you think you didn't rank a little closer to the top?

WHITE: I thought for sure I was going to be No. 15. But you know how it goes... Maybe it's politics.

ALDRIN: Well, I'm going to be No. 2 on the moon for the rest of my life, so I know how you feel. [White laughs]