Dan Auerbach's Dad: The Gift Behind The Black Keys' New Album

The Black Keys' lead vocalist and guitarist, Dan Auerbach, has revealed the profound impact his father's death had on their latest album, 'Peaches!'. Released on May 1, the band's 14th studio album was significantly shaped by the passing of Auerbach's father, Chuck, on March 29, following a cancer diagnosis. Auerbach, 47, shared on the Rolling Stone's Nashville Now podcast that certain tracks on the album are emotionally challenging for him to revisit.

He specifically pointed to their rendition of "It's a Dream," noting its personal significance. Auerbach expressed that his father would have appreciated the song, stating that his life has been "a bit of a dream" with his father's help. The musician also highlighted the deep connection between his Easy Eye Sound studios, where 'Peaches!' was recorded, and his father's legacy. His father, an antique dealer, influenced Auerbach's aesthetic sensibilities and even taught him practical skills like packing for tours, drawing parallels to his father's antique shows.

Auerbach further elaborated on his father's love for music, recalling how he would play songs like the Allman Brothers' "Ramblin' Man" loudly in the car. This early exposure, curated by his father's record collection, introduced Auerbach to blues artists such as Robert Johnson and Howlin' Wolf, laying the foundation for his own musical journey.