7 Most Shocking Recent Band Breakups

Published on March 4, 2016. Updated May 1, 2019

Even though the world of entertainment is divided up into different facets like acting and music, more often than not all the celebrities involved are exposed to the same type of media exposure and drama. Although drama, and breakups are often referred to when talking of high-profile celebrity splits, the music industry and their fans know all too well the pain of a shocking band breakups. Bands always seem like a cohesive unit, who not only play together on stage but work together, live together and spend long periods of time on tiny tour buses together. There have been quite a few times when seemingly out of nowhere that vision of a strong bond is shattered when one member announces their depature, sometimes resulting in a complete band split. Then there of course the times the band just ups and announces they are done together, even in the height of their prime. Every generation has their own biggest bands of the time, and recent years have seen some shocking breakups, check out 7 of them below!

7. One Direction

Yes, One Direction is still going… “technically.” That doesn’t mean that the internet and social media almost didn’t explode when it was confirmed that Zayn Malik had opted to leave the hugely succesful group. The news was surprising, and devastating for fans for so many reasons including the fact they had just recently their fourth album and were working on their fifth. Malik cited that he wanted to live as a normal 22-year-old and couldn’t handle the media and pressures of being part of the group like the rest of the guys could as reasons for his leaving. Following that time though it has become evident he really wanted to pursue a solo career. Although they continued with just four members, it didn’t take long before the rest of the band announced they were going on an extended hiatus to each pursue other interests, and some outlets are already reporting this hiatus will become a permanent split, in the very middle of One Direction’s domination of the airwaves and music industry.

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6. Blink-182

Since their formation in 1992, Blink-182 was regarded as one of the most influential punk-rock bands of the ’90s and garnered a huge legion of fans through their music and antics but by 2003 things in the group changed. The most shocking thing about the split of Blink-182 was the animosity that formed between the members who always seemed to be like brothers. In 2005, after tension with lead vocalist Tom DeLonge, the band went on an “indefinite hiatus” that lasted for almost four years until DeLonge reconnected with Barker and Hoppus following Baker’s near-fatal plane accident. Although they reformed, it was evident there was still differences within the group, once again leading to DeLonge’s exit in late 2014.

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5. Destiny’s Child

Destiny’s Child was one of the most successful girl groups of all time, but even through the band’s success, they were plagued by mini-splits and the departure and addition of many members. The group began with Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland, LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett. In 1999 Luckett and Roberson claimed their manager kept too large of a share of the group’s profit and favored Knowles and Rowland, and before a video premiere, Beyonce announced the pair had left the group. While this looked like trouble to fans, the band carried on with the addition of Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin. Franklin only lasted five months, but the trio went on to have their most succesful years, and in 2005, while on tour, they announced in front of 16,000 fans they were splitting up. The news sent shockwaves through the industry because of their success as a group; however, both Rowland and Beyonce went on to have successful solo careers.

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4. The Jonas Brothers

The Jonas Brothers did exceptionally well after their formation as a band in 2005 thanks to their role in the Disney Channel movie Camp Rock, along with their own series JONAS. Their fan base was particularly manical about the three brothers and their band, resulting in sold out tours, award and the sale of over 17 millions worldwide. That is why many were in disbelief when they went on hiatus in 2012 after splitting from their record label. They soon announced a reunion tour and new record; however, the split became finalized in 2013 when they cancelled the comeback tour days before it was supposed to start citing a “deep rift within the band,” resulting in the cancellation of their new album as well. Not only were they in the height of their prime when they called it quits, but they were also brothers which is why fans were even stunned to learn they couldn’t work things out and keep the group going.

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3. New Kids on the Block

New Kids on the Block were one of the frontrunners in the boy band craze that led the way for the likes of NSYNC and Backstreet Boys. They quickly became one of the most successful acts in the United States and are still recognized as one of the biggest teen idols in the past few decades. Things fell apart rather quickly for the band to the dismay of fans when member Jonathan Knight abruptly left the band in the middle of their 1994 tour. While the band tried to cover up his absence saying he had been injured, it was revealed weeks later the entire group was actually splitting up.

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2. NSYNC

A common theme in band’s breaking up seems to be one or more members wanting to pursue solo careers, and make a name for themselves away from the group. Although NSYNC tried to make it seem that this wasn’t the case for them, eventually the solo career of Justin Timberlake split the band up. They did so well they became the eight best-selling boy band in music history, and were one of the biggest bands in the ’90s-2000’s. That is why fans were so shocked when Timberlaked released his own album in 2002, and that same year the group went on a “temporary hiatus” and in all the year’s since there was never an official release from the band about a break-up. Only Lance Bass spoke out about it in his 2005 memoir Out of Sync where he cited (and slammed) Timberlake’s actions which led to the band dissolving to the dismay of fans.

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1. Spice Girls

There has not since been quite the female powerhouse girl group that was the Spice Girls in the ’90s. They became a global phenomenon and broke records along the way becoming the best-selling female group of all time. With all of their hit singles and albums, fans were floored when the band’s lead member Geri Halliwell announced her departure from the Spice Girls in May 1998. The news was so big it covered headlines worldwide and was one of the biggest entertainment news stories of the year. Although the four remaining members tried to continue, their success was nothing compared to what the full group experienced, and in 2000, the inevitable happened when they unofficially announced they were beginning an indefinite hiatus.