The Black Keys, hailing from Akron, Ohio, have been setting the stage on fire with their unmistakable rock sound since their formation in 2001. This dynamic duo, comprising the talents of Dan Auerbach (handling guitar and vocals) and Patrick Carney (commanding the drums), started out as a humble independent act, creating their music in basements and taking the DIY approach to producing their records.
Their journey began in the underground, but over time, they emerged as one of the prominent figures in the garage rock scene during the early 2000s revival. The band’s music is steeped in raw blues rock, heavily influenced by the likes of Junior Kimbrough, R.L. Burnside, Howlin’ Wolf, and Robert Johnson, as channeled through Auerbach’s bluesy inspirations.
Auerbach and Carney, lifelong friends, ventured into this musical odyssey after leaving college behind. Initially signing with the indie label Alive, they introduced their debut album, “The Big Come Up,” in 2002, a record that would set them on a promising path in the music world, catching the attention of Fat Possum Records.
Over the following decade, the Black Keys diligently built a dedicated fanbase. They crisscrossed small clubs with their electrifying live performances, consistently released compelling albums, made appearances at prestigious music festivals, and licensed their songs widely.
A significant turning point came with their third album, “Rubber Factory,” in 2004, which garnered widespread critical acclaim and substantially raised the band’s profile. This ultimately led to a major record deal with Nonesuch Records in 2006.
Following four self-produced albums recorded in makeshift studios, the duo elevated their game with “Attack & Release” in 2008. They sought the expertise of producer Danger Mouse, marking the beginning of a fruitful collaboration.
The breakthrough moment arrived in 2010 with “Brothers,” a game-changer that earned the band three coveted Grammy Awards. Notably, their single “Tighten Up” became a massive hit. This success was followed by the well-received “El Camino” in 2011, which reached number two on the Billboard 200 chart. The album’s hit single “Lonely Boy” also clinched three Grammy Awards, solidifying their place in the music industry.
In 2014, they unleashed “Turn Blue,” their eighth album, which skyrocketed to the number-one spot in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Following an extensive tour for “Turn Blue,” Auerbach and Carney took a break from their Black Keys duties to explore side projects and produce music for other artists.
Their triumphant return came in 2019 with the release of “Let’s Rock,” their ninth studio album, reminding the world of their enduring rock prowess. Since then, they’ve blessed their fans with two more studio albums: “Delta Kream” in 2021, a collection of hill country blues covers, and “Dropout Boogie” in 2022, keeping the Black Keys’ legacy alive and thriving.