After all these years touring with several bands and solo, Jack White had never performed at Toronto's most famous theater, Massey Hall before, so he kicked off the show exactly the way he should.

He played a Neil Young tune.

The February 7th gig was the first of two nights the former White Stripes leader rocked the 131-year old venue and he paid tribute to the theater's grand history by giving a nod to the man whose album Live At Massey Hall helped catapult Young's career in 1971.

A purist would have performed something from that now-classic album. Something like "Old Man," "Helpless," or "The Needle and the Damage Done."

But Jack White is a bonefide guitar hero, so he rocked the joint with something from the Grunge-era. "Rockin in the Free World" from Neil's Freedom album circa 1989.

Impressive way to start the show, as it sets a high bar.

Pearl Jam, for example, who have covered it more than anyone at 350 times, typically saves it for near the end of their show.

Mr. White led off with it and went into "Old Scratch Blues" from his new solo album. Which takes courage.

Intestinal fortitude is something Jack has been flaunting lately.

A few days ago on his Instagram he wrote about how fans should not expect epic-long shows from him on this No Name Tour.

"Been hearing a lot of chatter throughout the year of this glorious electric touring about how long our sets are 'supposed to be' on stage. As if the length of a show determines how 'good' it is," a surprisingly combative White began.

"I know that we're living in a current era where people like to say 'so and so played for 3 hours last night!', and brag about it the next day hahaha, I'll let our fans know now that my mind has no intention of 'impressing' y'all in that context. The Beatles and Ramones played 30 minute (ish) sets, and If I could, I would do the same at this moment in my performing life. That's actually the kind of show I'd like to put on right now," he continued to his 761,000 IG followers.

"But there becomes this chatter that the cost of a ticket 'entitles' people to some kind of extra long show...uh...ok (hahaha) so I'm bridging the gap. I'm not sure y'all are knowing (or maybe remembering?) what a real rock or punk show is like though if you're thinking that way, I think you're talking about an arena laser light show with pyro, huge screens with premade videos, singers flying over the crowd, t shirt cannons, etc, that's not the kind of shows we're performing. I've seen a plethora of rock and roll gigs that lasted 45 minutes and blew my mind and inspired me beyond belief," he wrote.

"Love to all of our fans, I see your faces every night and you can be assured I've never phoned it in in my life, whether its 20 minutes or 2 hours, I'm giving the room what the room is prompting me to do and share and that doesn't mean if people cheer louder its going to be longer either!" he joked.

"There's no setlist, and it's not a marvel movie, or a Vegas residency, it's rock and roll and it's a living breathing organism. See you in the hall tonight friends, love you all so much and thank you for coming to these shows, standing in line and paying your hard earned money to help this train keep rolling. And the crew and the boys in the band are loving y'all as much as me, we are grateful, thank you."

While all artists are free to perform any length they want, is it really fair to compare the standards of what constitutes a proper concert with 1960s-era Beatles or a band like the Ramones who could literally play 30 song in a 30-minute set if they wanted to?

But back to The Beatles... Paul McCartney, who if ever there was someone who could demand a 30-minute set if he wanted one, regularly plays for over 2 1/2 hours. Who would know better than Jack White himself who jammed with the bassist just a few months ago in Mexico with St. Vincent.

Is Jack making jabs at 82-year-old McCartney? Is he saying he didn't like that Paul made him wait back stage for so long? Where does Jack need to go so badly?

Or was it being in Canada that reminded the talented shredder that when he was in the White Stripes they played a one-note gig in Newfoundland during the group's final tour?

Granted, that was punk rock as hell. But if being a rock star is work, maybe take a break? Write a book. Drive an Uber. Teach music at a public school. Start a podcast. Do a Vegas residency.

Maybe in Las Vegas people would pay $30 for a 30-minute show, in that crazy Sphere.

With the right psychedelic video screens and a mixture of White Stripes, solo cuts, Dead Weather tunes, and covers, that might be enough sensory overload for the fans.

Until then Mr. Jack White has a bunch of shows on his schedule for this year. First on the East Coast of the US and then Europe and then back to the States. Get your tix off his website.