AceShowbiz - Rock duo The White Stripes have split. Former couple Jack and Meg White announced the news on Wednesday, February 2, stating they will "make no further new recordings or perform live" together as the White Stripes. The pair adds there are a "myriad of reasons" for the break-up and the Whites wanted to "preserve what is beautiful and special about the band".

Formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1997, the duo quickly became a globally-respected cult punk and blues act, recording hit albums like "Icky Thump", "White Blood Cells" and "Elephant". Multi-talented Jack provided the duo's voice and buzz guitar riffs, while his former wife played drums.

They released six studio albums, one live album, one concert film and one tour documentary. The last recording by the White Stripes was the live album "Under Great White Northern Lights", which was released last year.

The group has largely been inactive since 2007 when the Whites were forced to cancel a string of tour dates due to Meg's anxiety issues, although the duo performed "We're Going to Be Friends" on the final episode of "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" in February, 2009. They also recorded a rendition of "Rated X" to compilation album 'Coal Miner's Daughter: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn".

Jack White is also a founding member of The Dead Weather and The Raconteurs, and he also runs a Nashville, Tennessee-based record label, called Third Man Records, where he recently produced and performed on rockabilly star Wanda Jackson's new album, "The Party Ain't Over".