Reuter site - Rock duo The White Stripes announce break up

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Rock duo The White Stripes announce break up

Wed, Feb 02 14:53 PM EST

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Grammy-winning rock duo The White Stripes announced their break up on Wednesday, citing "a myriad of reasons" they did not disclose and saying they want to "preserve what is beautiful and special about the band."

"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," said a statement posted on the band's website.

The raw, punk and blues influenced White Stripes, consisting of songwriter and vocalist Jack White and drummer and ex-wife Meg White, formed in 1997 in Detroit and rose to fame behind their self-titled, debut album.

Their third CD, 2001's "White Blood Cells" proved to be a hit with both fans and critics and established the alternative duo as leaders in the revival of garage rock along with the Strokes and others.

The White Stripes' success and notoriety continued to grow throughout 2000s with albums such as "Get Behind Me Satan" and 2007's "Icky Thump." But over the years, Jack White began to embark on careers as a soloist and producer. He also formed two other bands, The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather.

"The reason is not due to artistic differences or lack of wanting to continue, nor any health issues as both Meg an Jack are feeling fine and in good health," said the band's statement.

It said the pair both hope fans see their decision "as a positive move done out of respect for the art and music that the band has created."

(Reporting by Christine Kearney, editing by Bob Tourtellotte)