White Stripes, the groundbreaking blues-rock duo, have split up after 13 years together.
The band, made up of Jack White and ex-wife Meg White, released a statement saying they “will make no further new recordings or perform live.”
The White Stripes added that there were a “myriad of reasons” for the breakup, but the main reason was to “preserve what is beautiful and special about the band.”
The statement continued: “The reason is not due to artistic differences or lack of wanting to continue, nor any health issues as both Meg and Jack [White] are feeling fine and in good health.”
However, Meg White, a drummer, suffers from crippling stage fright and it is believed this led to the pair’s decision to dissolve their stellar partnership.
White Stripes haven’t performed a live show since September 2007 wheny they toured the Icky Thump album.
The tour was cut short after drummer Meg White began suffering from acute anxiety attacks.
Jack White plays in two other bands, The Raconteurs, and The Dead Weather.
The Dead Weather also features Alison Mosshart from The Kills, the band she created with Kate Moss’s boyfriend Jamie Hince.
Last year, Jack White, who is married to British supermodel Karen Elson, said he was “hopeful” that the band would get back together after their three-year hiatus when Meg appeared to turn a corner.
He said at the time: “I don’t think her anxiety exists anymore, but I don’t know.
“She was there when we were rehearsing for The Dead Weather, and (my wife) Karen Elson’s band was rehearsing in the next building. She is still involved and everything.”
White Stripes’ last recording is likely to be their live album, Under The Great White Northern Lights, which was released last year.
The band posted a message to fans on their official website, which read: “The White Stripes do not belong to Meg and Jack anymore.
“The White Stripes belongs 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.”
White Stripes also explained that any future unreleased material would be put out by Jack’s record label, Third Man Records.”
