Wielding his iconic “Seven Nation Army” guitar, Jack White delivered an unconventional sort of “Star-Spangled Banner” to kick off Detroit Tigers festivities at Comerica Park on Friday.
The Detroit native and lifelong baseball fan was invited to perform the national anthem for the Tigers’ Opening Day game against the Chicago White Sox.
With a giant American flag unfurled across the outfield, White and bandmates Daru Jones (drums), Dominic Davis (bass) and Quincy McCrary lit into their instrumental rendition of the anthem. White led the song, playing slide on his vintage Kay Archtop guitar — the same one he has used on some of his best-known work.
Their performance was followed by a flyover of four Thunderbolt Warthog planes from the Selfridge Air National Guard’s 107th Fighter Squadron.
White’s Tigers performance was part of a busy Friday for the homecoming rocker: He’s kicking off his 2022 tour with a Masonic Temple show Friday evening (with another to come Saturday), following the overnight release of his album “Fear of the Dawn” — one of two albums due from White this year.
The new album was celebrated with a mural unveiled this morning at White’s Third Man Records complex on Canfield.
In a recent Spin magazine feature, White said he’s confident about the upcoming Tigers season and is convinced the team has finally found its footing. He went on to predict a 90-win season and a playoff appearance.
“The team is going to be incredible,” he said.
Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@freepress.com.