Then:
Tonight on Leno ... Loretta Lynn with Jack White. That is well worth staying up for. As much as I'd love to see White's take on a Lynn classic, they'll be doing a new tune: "Portland, Oregon."

Now:
Jack White, you evil twit!!!! I hereby reclaim that portion of respect accorded you for your non-rock work as of late. After catching last night's travesty, I can only hope that the one song done was the exception, rather than the rule for that album.

First things first ... let's review the concept of rock music. Vocals are generally an extension of the music in this genre. Sure, there are pop tunes where great vocalists dominate with the strength of their voice. And there's even the heavier stuff where singers still like to shine through a bit. But the likes of Jim Morrison, Mick Jagger, David Lee Roth, Vince Neil, and Bret Michaels did not make their claim to fame on the basis of their singing. Anyone who's heard Bryan Adams butcher "Oh, Canada" as I have would realize this in a heartbeat. The voice, in most rock forms, is yet another instrument. Granted, its one that gives better expression to the lusting for fast cars, cheap booze, easy drugs, and women that fall into all three classifications. But David Lee Roth's voice, circa 1980, was more an extension of Eddie Van Halens' wailing guitar than a peircing vocal master demonstrating his chops.

Cut to country. Whether in the glory days or the more modern era of country, vocalists are there to shine on their own merits. Name one guitar player who isn't the lead singer in a country band ... or a drummer ... or a bassist. Chances are, most people posed with that question will come up blank (diehard fans of the genre aside, perhaps). Loretta Lynn's voice is as distinct as there is. And yet on Letterman, I'm presented with Jack White's wailing rock band drowning out that very precious quality that has made Lynn the star that she is. It was a hideous display to take in. I literally wanted to physically harm Jack White. In any event, he owes music, in general, an apology.