My Chemical Romance Split; Gerard Way Writes Open Letter to Fans

On Friday, March 22nd, My Chemical Romance officially announced their break up on their website:

"Being in this band for the past 12 years has been a true blessing. We've gotten to go places we never knew we would. We've been able to see and experience things we never imagined possible. We've shared the stage with people we admire, people we look up to, and best of all, our friends. And now, like all great things, it has come time for it to end. Thanks for all of your support, and for being part of the adventure."

Immediately following the announcement of their split, the band's frontman Gerard Way wrote a long, heartfelt open letter to fans which he shared via his Twitter account.

In the letter entitled "A Vigil, On Birds and Glass," Way shares his emotions about the breakup through metaphors and abstract reflections. And in keeping with the hazy, sentimental tone of the letter, he vaguely explains the band's decision to split. He notes that, "[t]here are many reasons My Chemical Romance ended," but he points to a New Jersey concert on May 19th, 2012 where he felt "hollowed out" and uninspired.

He concludes his letter with these lines:

"My Chemical Romance is done. But it can never die.
It is alive in me, in the guys, and it is alive inside all of you.
I always knew that, and I think you did too.

Because it is not a band-
it is an idea."