Calling Doctor Jones: The Danish-Norwegian Eurodance group Aqua have announced they’re splitting up after 30 years together.
Lene, René and Søren announced the news in a post on social media, saying while they’ve “experienced more than we ever dared to dream of,” they had decided to call it a day “as a live band”.
The wording leaves open the possibility of releasing music in the future without touring or performances.
“After many incredible years, we have decided to close the chapter of AQUA as a live band,” they wrote in their statement.
“AQUA has been such a huge part of our lives, and together we’ve had the chance to experience more than we ever dared to dream of.
“We’ve travelled the world countless times, met so many wonderful people, sung together with millions of you, and shared memories that we will carry with us forever.”
They told fans that it “feels like the right moment to say goodbye”, saying they want to go out on top.
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“When you’ve been together for this long, you also learn when it’s time to protect what you’ve created together,” they wrote.
“For us, this feels like the right moment to say goodbye, while the memories are still strong, and while the love for the music, the story, and each other remains intact.”
The band members then thanked fans and followers “from the bottom of our hearts” for being a “part of this journey over the past 30 years”.
“Thank you for the love, the energy, the support, and for all the moments we’ve shared together,” they continued.
“Nothing but love and gratitude from here on.”
Australia was one of Aqua’s biggest markets, with their debut album Aquarium topping the ARIA charts back in 1997.
The album spawned the hits Doctor Jones, Turn Back Time and most famously Barbie Girl, which went three-times platinum and spent 13 weeks at No. 1 on the ARIA charts.
Aqua’s follow up album Aquarius went to No. 1 in New Zealand but reached number 15 in Australia, when it was released in 2000.
The group, comprising of René Dif, Lene Nystrøm, Søren Rasted and Claus Norree, split in 2001 before reuniting in 2007 for a tour before starting work on a new album in 2010.
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Their 2011 release Megalomania reached No. 2 in Denmark and 154 in Australia but failed to chart elsewhere.
That didn’t stop the group from announcing a tour of Australia and New Zealand in 2014, the last time they were on our shores.
In 2016 the group came together one more time but without founding guitarist Norreen, leaving them a trio.
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