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Ed Sheeran - After a record-breaking 'Divide' tour that saw him performing 260 concerts in front of more than nine million people, Ed Sheeran has announced an 18-month break from music.

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Sam Smith -

After blowing up with singles like ‘Stay With Me,’ Sam Smith went into hiding for three years. In 2017, they returned to release new album ‘The Thrill of It All.’

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One Direction -

One Direction were prolific, but since their hiatus they’ve been pretty quiet about their much-anticipated reunion.

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Rita Ora -

It took the singer six years to release her sophmore album, ‘Phoenix,’ this after her debut album, ‘Ora,’ was released back in 2012.

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Elton John -

Sir Elton John waited 13 years between ‘The Captain & the Kid’ in 2003, and ‘The Diving Board’ in 2013. “It's all about the kids now [...] they are the most important things in my life,” John has said, as reported by Official Charts.

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David Bowie -

The late David Bowie waited 10 years between ‘Reality’ (2003) and ‘The Next Day’ (2013). He released his last album, ‘Blackstar,’ in 2016.

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The Rolling Stones -

The Rolling Stones never seem to disappear. However, they waited nine years to release their hit album ‘Blue & Lonesome.’

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Pink Floyd -

The psychedelic band called it quits in 1994. In 2014, they came back for one last hurrah, with number one album ‘The Endless River.’

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David Gilmour -

The Pink Floyd member released one album in the ‘70s and the ‘80s. Then, he took a 22-year break before releasing ‘On an Island’ in 2006.

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Black Sabbath -

Black Sabbath were pretty prolific up until 1995, when members left and the band went on hiatus. In 2013, they returned with their final album, ‘13.’

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Paul McCartney -

The ex-Beatle is pretty prolific, but has waited more than five years between his studio albums.

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George Harrison -

Harrison’s album ‘Brainwashed’ was released a year after he died. It was his first solo album since 1987.

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Kate Bush -

Bush left the spotlight after releasing ‘The Red Shoes’ in 1993. She returned 12 years later, with the double disc ‘Aerial.’

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Blur -

From 2003 to 2015, Damon Albarn stepped away from Blur and grew fond of his other band, Gorillaz.

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Sade -

This legendary singer is known for being secretive, and waited 10 years between ‘Lovers Rock’ and comeback album ‘Soldier of Love.’

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The Verve -

Believe it or not, The Verve actually broke up twice. Their 1997 album ‘Urban Hymns’ was finally followed up with ‘Forth’ in 2008.

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Take That -

Everyone thought it was over for Take That, after ex-member Robbie Williams became a world famous entertainer. However, they had the comeback of all comebacks in 2006, with their hit album ‘Beautiful World.’

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Busted -

Busted were on top of the UK with albums like ‘Busted’ and ‘A Present for Everyone.’ However, they took a 13-year break after that, finally returning with ‘Night Driver’ in 2016.

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Steps -

Steps seemed to be over when H & Claire left the group in 2001. However, they came back over a decade later, releasing ‘Light Up the World’ in 2012.

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My Bloody Valentine -

My Bloody Valentine almost bankrupted their label with album ‘Loveless.’ Then 21 years later, they came back with a vengeance with ‘MBV’ in 2013.

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Suede -

The Mercury Prize winners spent 10 years crafting their fifth album, ‘Bloodsports,’ which was released in 2013.

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Aphex Twin -

Electronic musician Aphex Twin seemed to have had enough in 2001. However, he decided to come back in 2014, releasing the critically-acclaimed ‘Syro.’

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Slowdive -

Slowdive released ‘Pygmalion’ in 1995. After label problems, the band kept things low, before returning in 2017 with a self-titled comeback album.

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Leftfield -

Electro band Leftfield didn’t release a sequel to 1999's ‘Rhythm and Stealth’ for 15 years, before deciding on a comeback in 2015.  

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Portishead -

The “trip-hop” band were popular in the ‘90s, yet Portishead still waited over 10 years to release ‘Third’ in 2008.

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Johnny Hates Jazz -

Johnny Hates Jazz had a good run, calling it a break back in 1991. However, the band reunited decades later, and released comeback album ‘Magnetized’ in 2013.

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Ride -

Rock band Ride were a hit in the ‘90s, releasing four acclaimed albums. After falling out, they returned 21 years later with ‘Weather Diaries.’  

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The Jesus and Mary Chain -

Members from The Jesus and Mary Chain went their separate ways in the late ‘90s. They returned 18 years later, with the record ‘Damage and Joy.’

See also: Bands who reunited—for better or worse

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