R.E.M. Splits After 31 Years And 15 Albums : Music News
It's the end of the world as we know it, and
R.E.M. fans don't feel fine. That's right, after almost 31 years and
over 15 album releases, one of the most important band of the 1990s
have decided to call it a day.
Since joining forces in 1979 their career has spanned 15 studio albums
and huge global success, somehow only ever comprising four original
members. The one person to leave was drummer Bill Berry, who retired
two years after suffering a brain aneurysm on-stage during 1995's
"Monster" tour.
"During our last tour, and while making Collapse Into Now and putting
together this greatest hits retrospective; we started to ask ourselves
'What Next?'... Working through our music and memories from over three
decades was a hell of a journey. We realised that these songs seemed to
draw a natural line under the last 31 years of our working together.
The time just feels right" commented Mike Mills.
Mills adds: "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."
Michael Stipe suggests that "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".
R.E.M. will release a career-spanning Greatest Hits album through
Warner Brothers in November.
On their website, each band member gave their own take on the situation
- have a read here...
For those interested, here is the official statement from the band :
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."
For those who aren't familiar with R.E.M's work - as true a musical
experience we've
encountered.
