The White Stripes have announced that they will no longer be creating music, and will officially break up. The band has been on hiatus since 2008. Their latest album, Icky Thump, was released back in 2007.

Although this is sad news, the band didn't break up due to an ugly, personal dispute or something far more worse. Instead, the band said: "The reason is not due to artistic differences or lack of wanting to continue," taken from the post written on the bands official website. "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 has been keeping busy, creating music with The Dead Weather and The Raconteurs, while Meg married Jackson Smith and has kept a far more quieter existence. 

Reaching out to fans, the band stated: "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 music that the band has created. 

The White Stripes became a hugely successful band in the late 90's and throughout the last decade with their self-titled album, The White Stripes, and probably their most famous, "Elephant."