Sep

R.E.M Break up

R.E.M. have posted on their website that they have broken up:

“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.

Michael: “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.”

Mike: 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.”

Peter: ”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.”

Watch the videos for “Stand”, “Imitation of Life”, and a performance of “Losing My Religion” from R.E.M.’s 1991 MTV Unplugged session.