R.E.M. breaks up
R.E.M., which announced its split today, in the early years. Peter Buck (left), Mike Mills, Bill Berry and Michael Stipe. Berry left the band in 1997. Photo: Sandra Lee-Phipps
It’s a day many thought would never come. It looked like R.E.M. was in it for the long haul, but that changed today.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees and Athens mainstays released a statement via their website today:
“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.
The site also includes statements from each of the band members, Michael Stipe, Mike Mills and Peter Buck.
Those three, along with drummer Bill Berry, started the band in 1980. By 1991, the band had scored four Top 10 hits and inspired a generation of musicians.
Check out the Buzz for more.
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170 comments Add your comment
thracer
September 21st, 2011
2:33 pm
PB Orr and SAWB are right on. The band never was the same once Bill Berry left. But their early albums were absolutely brilliant and defined the genre. THE soundtrack for the years ‘83-’93.
Lenny Bruce
September 21st, 2011
2:34 pm
If they get the stupid idea to get together in 25 years and make another album, just make them listen to the Cars new stuff. That should be enough to just let it go.
Andy Kaufman
September 21st, 2011
2:35 pm
Gotcha…it was a joke all along!!!
Ray
September 21st, 2011
2:36 pm
Thanks REM. I grew up lisiting to you and will never forget your great music.
Athens
September 21st, 2011
2:37 pm
R.I.P.R.E.M
DunwoodyDawg
September 21st, 2011
2:37 pm
Oh, one more thing. I totally disagree with them politically speaking, but they did make a difference to the city of Athens. Thanks for using some of you money to do good.
Shan
September 21st, 2011
2:39 pm
Everybody Hurts sometimes and I will get over it. It’s not the end of the World as We Know It just because the band broke up. Thanks for the music.
Forever A Fan,
-Shan
Muholio Finjugiy
September 21st, 2011
2:40 pm
About time. Spend your mega $$$$. Good bye, don’t come back now, ‘hear?
Harvard
September 21st, 2011
2:43 pm
Harvard still rules
Bulldogs Suck
September 21st, 2011
2:43 pm
I didnt even know they were still around. Sure enjoyed them back in the day though. God Speed!
pooptime
September 21st, 2011
2:44 pm
Bean burritto not good choice. sour cream expired. need solution.
pooptime
September 21st, 2011
2:44 pm
hurting. more and more.
KEO
September 21st, 2011
2:44 pm
Who are you people and why are you being so negative? An entire generation or two grew up on REM’s music and were proud to have them from Athens and I went to GA Tech! They were revolutionary when they first started out and stayed current and relevant throughout their careers. Also they totally kicked-A live in concert.
It’s the end of the world as we know it…and I feel fine!
Imgaycauseof Stipe
September 21st, 2011
2:45 pm
He was the most sexiest gay guy ever, yeah he said he ws BI, but let me tell you…boy has moves with boys. Always seemed to enjoy me more than her…..miss you in the band, but I’m sure you’ll release some stuff on your own before long. …..AX
SAWB
September 21st, 2011
2:45 pm
Anybody remember Pylon?
suwanee dawg
September 21st, 2011
2:45 pm
Awesome bank in their day. Superman, End of the world, etc. Could go on and on. Last good album was in 91 I believe. Great memories for me in Athens.
pooptime
September 21st, 2011
2:46 pm
easing up, but still cautionary. fingers crossed.
Kurt Cobain
September 21st, 2011
2:47 pm
Who broke up?
pooptime
September 21st, 2011
2:47 pm
perhaps too much cola? Big gulp = big mistake. in or out?
pooptime
September 21st, 2011
2:47 pm
I need a double-double. animal style.
Spanky
September 21st, 2011
2:48 pm
LEONARD BERNSTEIN!!….lol
Scott
September 21st, 2011
2:48 pm
They’ve got no Spine, but I’ve got my Orange Crush!
Mel Tillis
September 21st, 2011
2:49 pm
Whoooooooooo theeeeeeeee heckkkkkkkkkkk isssssssss rrrrrrr eeee mmmmmmmm.
Chronos
September 21st, 2011
2:49 pm
Their time is up.
Sam the Sham
September 21st, 2011
2:50 pm
I think 30 years IS the long haul. Thanks for the music.
Mel Tillis, Jr.
September 21st, 2011
2:51 pm
Hey Dad, its that sleep cycle thing. Please stop typing to your stutter again!!!
Rapid Eye Movement
September 21st, 2011
2:54 pm
REM were probably one of the finest, most influential alt rock bands of their time, in my opinion. I still count “Reckoning” and “Life’s Rich Pageant” as some of my favorite all-time albums. I agree, however, that their breakup was long overdue, and also hope a hokey “reunion” is not in the cards down the road.
SAWB
September 21st, 2011
2:55 pm
The call just came in from Party Central we’re all meeting at The Heron House to reminisce.
Dellmensingen
September 21st, 2011
3:00 pm
I remember being at the 40 Watt back in the early 90’s before Michael came out of the closet. He appeared to be on a date with a girl with both their heads poking out of a army blanket poncho and smelled as if they hadn’t bathed in quite some time. Shooo, it was nasty.
SpaceyG on Twitter
September 21st, 2011
3:03 pm
Thought I’d feel fine with this. I do not.
dreams so real
September 21st, 2011
3:05 pm
rough night in jericho
Superman
September 21st, 2011
3:05 pm
I know whats happening
joe
September 21st, 2011
3:06 pm
My favorite band of all time…saw them countless times, including Chastain about 12 years ago. Even though they were not very popular or releasing new recordings in their later years, everything they put out was great, xcept for Shiny Happy People (what were they thnking on that one?). I even got a chance to make a PSA with them for The Nature Conservancy when had just moved to ATL in early 90’s. Thanks for everything guys…ya’ll rocked!!!
The Reverend Baby Doctor Bedpan
September 21st, 2011
3:06 pm
Blah…..Their music was uninspiring and monotonous. All they had to do was get enough air play to trick the drones of this planet in to thinking they were good. If it is on the radio….All the time….It must be good…..Right?
Follower of the Church of Doctor Bedpan
September 21st, 2011
3:08 pm
Amen!!
Cliff
September 21st, 2011
3:08 pm
This is a very sad day for music. R.E.M. was arguably the best and most influential American rock band. Even with the perhaps less than stellar Up, Reveal, and Around the Sun, they always maintained their artistic integrity, put out good music, and finished their career with two strong albums. It could be decades before another American group has R.E.M.’s staying power.
Harleydawg
September 21st, 2011
3:09 pm
They are going out on a high note. That last album was the strongest album they had recorded since “Automatic For the People.” Its the end of an era full of great memories. No place had the musical spirit of Athens when “Out of Time” came out.
Freddie Mercury's spirit
September 21st, 2011
3:12 pm
The lads made a wonderful contribution to rock-n-roll.
Well done !
guadalcanal diary
September 21st, 2011
3:13 pm
what would jay memory and bubba dean do?
CK
September 21st, 2011
3:18 pm
C’mon a “very sad day for music?” in the words of The Miz…”Really?” “Really?”
I can think of several other days that were much more horrible for music.
Such as the day Hendrix died, the day Layne Staley died, the day Cobain died, the day John Mayer got a contract, the day Metallica released St. Anger, when Soundgarden broke up, when Elton John released Candle in the Wind,..etc…etc…blah, blah, blah
athensmatt
September 21st, 2011
3:32 pm
how about pearl jam next?
Jeff
September 21st, 2011
3:34 pm
This one goes out to the one I love! Thanks, REM, for all the great music and memories. The breakup is hard news, but nothing is forever. But umm…maybe just one more “going away” album? Please?
afan
September 21st, 2011
3:40 pm
this one goes out to the one we love…fireeeeee!!!
Ron Burgundy
September 21st, 2011
3:42 pm
I guess no more weany rock. Oh well. Shinny happy people holkding hands will always be a staple in my music catalog when I am feeling like a pu$$.
Ron Burgundy
September 21st, 2011
3:43 pm
Maybe Stipe can run for president. i hear the libtards are looking to replace the current guy.
Brian Asselstine
September 21st, 2011
3:46 pm
I stopped listening to them when they obviously were trying to look and sound like Motley Crue.
Dan
September 21st, 2011
3:46 pm
Sadly, I lost my virginity in Russell listening to “Stand”…
maribob
September 21st, 2011
3:47 pm
Stinky Pete – shame on you for starting rumors.
HoundDog
September 21st, 2011
3:49 pm
80s and 90s were good to R.E.M.Thanks for the memories!!
George Bush
September 21st, 2011
3:56 pm
It’s the end of the world as we know it !!!!!!!!!