The White Stripes have today announced they have split up. In a joint statement hosted on their website, the duo revealed:
“The White Stripes would like to announce that today, February 2nd, 2011, their band has officially ended and will make no further new recordings or perform live. “
“The reason is not due to artistic differences or lack of wanting to continue, nor any health issues as both Meg and Jack are feeling fine and in good health.”
The White Stripes haven’t released an album since 2007’s Icky Thump, and have also not played live since the same year – after drummer Meg White quit a world tour due to anxiety problems. Since then, Jack White has been busying himself fronting both The Dead Weather and The Raconteurs, as well as running his record label Third Man Records, which will continue to put out unreleased White Stripes material.
While there will undoubtedly be rumours as to why the influential blues-rock duo have decided to call it a day, their statement made an attempt to quash these immediately – stating the break-up is due to “… a myriad of reasons, but mostly to preserve What is beautiful and special about the band and have it stay that way.”
