R.E.M. Split

[JerseyGirl]

R.E.M.HQ: NEWS

"To our Fans and Friends: As R.E.M., and as lifelong friends and co-conspirators, we have decided to call it a day as a band. We walk away with a great sense of gratitude, of finality, and of astonishment at all we have accomplished. To anyone who ever felt touched by our music, our deepest thanks for listening." R.E.M.

In their own words: The guys share their thoughts on why now.

MIKE

"During our last tour, and while making Collapse Into Now and putting together this greatest hits retrospective, we started asking ourselves, 'what next'? Working through our music and memories from over three decades was a hell of a journey. We realized that these songs seemed to draw a natural line under the last 31 years of our working together.

"We have always been a band in the truest sense of the word. Brothers who truly love, and respect, each other. We feel kind of like pioneers in this--there's no disharmony here, no falling-outs, no lawyers squaring-off. We've made this decision together, amicably and with each other's best interests at heart. The time just feels right."

MICHAEL

"A wise man once said--'the skill in attending a party is knowing when it's time to leave.' We built something extraordinary together. We did this thing. And now we're going to walk away from it.

"I hope our fans realize this wasn't an easy decision; but all things must end, and we wanted to do it right, to do it our way.

"We have to thank all the people who helped us be R.E.M. for these 31 years; our deepest gratitude to those who allowed us to do this. It's been amazing."

PETER

"One of the things that was always so great about being in R.E.M. was the fact that the records and the songs we wrote meant as much to our fans as they did to us. It was, and still is, important to us to do right by you. Being a part of your lives has been an unbelievable gift. Thank you.

"Mike, Michael, Bill, Bertis, and I walk away as great friends. I know I will be seeing them in the future, just as I know I will be seeing everyone who has followed us and supported us through the years. Even if it's only in the vinyl aisle of your local record store, or standing at the back of the club: watching a group of 19 year olds trying to change the world."

 

[Mr. Bob Dobolina]

When's the reunion tour?

 

[That 70s Guy]

I didn't know they were still around!! Oh well everybody hurts sometimes.

 

[LG]

One of the bands that slipped past me almost completely...I'm not sure I have more than one song by R.E.M. in the house...

But it's nice to see a band realize they have done it all and can walk away proud and still friends.

Although I'm positive BobD is right, maybe 5-10 years from now they'll do something even if it's a one of show.

 

[runningshoes]

They're still around? They've pretty much been irrelevant for too many years to remember.

 

[JerseyGirl]

I think they still have a pretty decent fan following. I thought they were ok. Only liked a song or two by them.

 

[LG]

For some reason...most likely my impending senility......I always get this band mixed up with the Tragically Hip, and I only got a few of their albums last winter.

 

[Death on Credit]

I respect anyone who knows when to stop, and can walk away while they're ahead. Kudos to them.

 

[opera races]

I remembered Bill Berry left awhile ago. I didn't realize the rest of the band were still up to much of anything.

R.E.M. is one of those bands I liked early on but when they became too hip and too popular I lost interest!

 

[Cosmic Harmony]

Aww this is a such a drag. From the comments I'm reading above it seems people have lost track of R.E.M. and I will defend them quite a bit as a band that put out quality work all the way up to "Collapse Into Now" earlier this year.