The White Stripes have announced their decision to call it a day with their usual style and dignity.

Their statement on Third Man Records reads:

“The White Stripes do not belong to Meg and Jack anymore. The White Stripes belong 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. Thank you for sharing this experience. Your involvement will never be lost on us and we are truly grateful.”

Like all truly great bands, The White Stripes’ recorded material was as good as their live act – and their live act was extraordinary. I saw them play in Camden on the hottest night of the year that summer and it was impossible to believe that two people could make so much noise and yet still leave space in the music.

I could write pages on how perfect a band they were but their decision to end the band after thirteen years and seven albums without a final tour or any other rock cliché says it all – they were uncompromising and did everything by their own rules.