Rock duo 'The White Stripes' call it quits

NEW YORK CITY: Grammy Award-winning rock band 'The White Stripes' on Wednesday announced that they were breaking up after 13 years in the music industry.

The band made the official announcement through their website, saying "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. 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," the statement added.

Originally formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1997, the White Stripes duo consisted of 35-year-old Jack White (songwriter, guitar, vocals, and keyboards) and 36-year-old Meg White (drums and occasional vocals).

Only two years later, the band released their first studio album called 'The White Stripes,' but it was in 2001, with their third album, 'White Blood Cells,' that the band received international acclaim.

Throughout their 13-year career, the band released six studio albums, one live album, two extended plays (EP), one concert film, one tour documentary, twenty-six singles, and fourteen music videos. Their last three albums each won the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album.

Even though the duo rarely speak about their relationship, Jack and Meg White first introduced themselves as brother and sister, but later reports indicated that the duo were actually married in 1996 and later divorced in 2000.

"The White Stripes do not belong to Meg and Jack anymore," their statement ended. "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."

(BNO NEWS )