After 13 years and 6 studio albums The White Stripes have announced that they have will make no further new recordings or perform live.

The statement was published on their website this week and brings to an end the career of one of the most influential bands of recent times.

There was no particular reason given for the split other than seemingly to preserve the bands legacy. There was no mention of future work or projects but presumably Jack White will continue to perform with The Dead Weather and The Raconteurs.

You can read the full statement here.