The guys from seminal alt-rock outfit R.E.M. announced their decision to break up today via an official posting on their website, saying that they will walk away from their legendary group with “great sense of gratitude, of finality, and of astonishment.”
Initially only a few sentences from the band, the official posting has since been updated to include explanations from each member of the group. From those explanations, it seems that Michael Stipe and crew called it a day out of simple good taste rather than road wear or infighting like so many other legendary groups.
“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,” wrote Stipe.
“We’ve made this decision together, amicably and with each other’s best interests at heart. The time just feels right,” read bassist Mike Mills’ message.
“Mike, Michael, Bill, Bertis, and I walk away as great friends,” wrote guitarist Peter Buck.
R.E.M.’s collective decision to split up puts a cap on a prolific career that began in 1980 with, as Buck says, a “group of 19 year olds trying to change the world.” That revolutionary effort resulted in a slew of critically acclaimed albums—including 1983’s Murmur, 1991’s Out of Time and 1992’s Automatic for the People—and a cult status for the group.
They innovated the alternative rock genre through channeling post-punk stylings mixed with 1960s pop rock sensibilities, resulting ultimately in the unique sound the group is known for today. Their early cult success has inspired scores of new (and old) groups.
The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.
Check out the full breakup statement below:
“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.”
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