touchstone moments you'll always remember, like the moon landing or princess diana's wedding. >> this morning, though, there's one for the books for the tween set. the day zayn malik called it quits. abc's nick watt has the story. ♪ the story of my life ♪ >> reporter: "the story of my life," one direction's smash hit. but zayn malik took a different direction and quit the biggest boy band on the planet. zayn explains i'm leaving because i want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time. he left citing stress. it's been a wild five years since they entered "the x-factor" as solo artists. simon cowell made them in to a band. >> this is just the beginning for these boys. >> distraught directioners, that's what the fans are called, tore up, twitter omfg my heart. i can't explain how i feel groped another for words.