Legends disgruntled with Guitar Hero

Jack White and Jimmy Page have been criticising the likes of Guitar Hero this week, which will strike some of you as being rather odd. Here's why...

A long while back you could count yourself to be quite the indie rock specialist if you spoke of Jack White and his band The White Stripes. But since 2003 and the song "Seven Nation Army" from the band's "Elephant" album, The White Stripes have become a favourite at dinner parties the world over. That's just the way it goes.

Jack White has moved on to tour with another band, The Dead Weather, but this summer The White Stripes will resurface in the rock-along videogame Guitar Hero 5. Last Friday Jack White seemed less than pleased with the new attention that's sure to come his way from teens strumming on fake guitars connected to games consoles.

During an LA press conference for the "It Might Get Loud" documentary, in which White features alongside Led Zeppelin legend Jimmy Page and U2's The Edge, the cheeky feller had the gall to get the blues about the youth of today.

NME journalists reporting from the event have White down as saying: "It's depressing to have a label come and tell you that [Guitar Hero] is how kids are learning about music and experiencing music." And, "If you have to be in a videogame to get in front of them, that's a little sad." We're sure he won't turn down the royalties though.

Jimmy Page also used the stage to continue his much publicised disapproval of Guitar Hero, Rock Band and their ilk. In summary, according the NME, Page believes that kids can't be learning anything worthwhile about musical instruments by playing videogames. He says: "You think of the drum part that John Bonham did on Led Zeppelin's first track on the first album, 'Good Times Bad Times'. How many drummers in the world can play that part, let alone on Christmas morning?" And then probably fell asleep with a Werther's Original in his gob, we don't know.

Guys, it's only a game! Or is it? No, it is. Isn't it?

Should we be tossing our plastic guitars and drums on the scrap heap for the sake of real rock 'n' roll? Do you think practicing for hours with a music videogame is a waste of time? Should Jack White have kept his mouth shut - will you boycott his songs in Guitar Hero 5? Is it past Jimmy Page's bedtime already?

Let us know your thoughts.