Australian pop duo Savage Garden have split up after nearly five years together. Darren Hayes and Daniel Jones formed the group in Brisbane, Australia after Hayes was the only prospective singer who answered an advertisement put out by Jones and his brothers, who had formed a band. The duo then broke off from the band and calling themselves Crush, and were eventually signed to an independent label before eventually signing a U.S. deal with Columbia Records.

The group released their self titled debut of breezy, melodic pop in 1997, immediately scoring hit singles with "I Want You," "To The Moon And Back" and "Truly Madly Deeply," which became a Number One hit. Savage Garden released their second album Affirmation in 1999, giving them another Number One song with "I Knew I Loved You." The band embarked on a world tour following the release of Affirmation but according to a Web post by Hayes on the band's site www.savagegarden.com Jones intended to leave the group prior to the record's release.

"The world tour was a time for me to be strong and stand on my feet and imagine life after Savage Garden . . . This time confirmed our separate journeys and we both talked fondly of our experiences together and the what the future may bring with our respective careers," Hayes wrote. "I love and respect Daniel Jones very much and when your buddy tells you they're just not happy . . . you have to stand by them."

CHRISTINA SARACENO
(October 5, 2001)