R.E.M. Split After 31 Years In Music!


 

Lead singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck and bassist Mike Mills announced their decision to split on R.E.M.‘s official website, on Wednesday (21st September, 2011) – leaving fans confused as to the real reason why!

 

Their statement reads:

“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.”

 

Frontman Stipe reveals the decision to break up was amicable – but it was far from easy, as he says:

“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 realise 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.”

 

The group was formed in 1980 with drummer Bill Berry, who left the band in 1997, and they achieved critical and commercial success with hits such as The One I Love, Stand, Losing My Religion and Man on the Moon.

During their time in the music industry, they released 15 albums and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.
 

R.E.M.’s final album, Collapse Into Now, was released earlier this year (March 2011).

 

Sad to see them go, but happy they went out on a high! My favourite R.E.M. song would have to be Everybody Hurts.

What’s yours?

 


 

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