The White Stripes have announced on their website that the duo have officially broken up. In the statement, “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. It is for a myriad of reasons, but mostly to preserve what is beautiful and special about the band and have it stay that way.”
Jack White’s Third Man Records will continue to put out unreleased live and studio recordings from the group but they will make no new recordings or live performances.
The statement ended with:
“Both Meg and Jack hope this decision isn’t met with sorrow by their fans but that it is
seen as a positive move done out of respect for the art and music that the band has
created. It is also done with the utmost respect to those fans who’ve shared in those
creations, with their feelings considered greatly.With that in mind the band have this to say:
‘The White Stripes do not belong to Meg and Jack anymore. The White Stripes belong
to you now and you can do with it whatever you want. The beauty of art and music is
that it can last forever if people want it to. Thank you for sharing this experience. Your
involvement will never be lost on us and we are truly grateful.'”
While Jack has other forms of creative output like The Dead Weather and The Raconteurs and Meg isn’t exactly Neil Peart on the drums, the duo managed to create some of my favorite albums of the decade so I am personally saddened to see them split. Nevertheless, they are right and their music can last forever.
Read the full statement on their website and enjoy some of their work below.
