Music
REM announce split: "We built something extraordinary together"
Published Wednesday, Sep 21 2011, 19:11 BST | By Hugh Armitage | 33 comments
REM have announced that they are to split after 31 years together.
The band made the revelation in a statement on their official website today.
"To our Fans and Friends: As REM, and as lifelong friends and co-conspirators, we have decided to call it a day as a band," the group wrote.
"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."
> REM split: Career highlights and gigs - in pictures
> REM split: Their five career-defining tracks - video
Band members Michael Stipe, Peter Buck and Mike Mills also shared their own thoughts on the split.
"A wise man once said, 'The skill in attending a party is knowing when it's time to leave,'" said Stipe.
"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 REM for these 31 years; our deepest gratitude to those who allowed us to do this. It's been amazing."
> Michael Stipe 'helped Snow Patrol write album'
> REM Stipe 'grappled with contradictions'
Watch the video for REM's 'Everybody Hurts' below:
The band made the revelation in a statement on their official website today.
"To our Fans and Friends: As REM, and as lifelong friends and co-conspirators, we have decided to call it a day as a band," the group wrote.
"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."
> REM split: Career highlights and gigs - in pictures
> REM split: Their five career-defining tracks - video
© PA Images / Ian West/PA Archive
Band members Michael Stipe, Peter Buck and Mike Mills also shared their own thoughts on the split.
"A wise man once said, 'The skill in attending a party is knowing when it's time to leave,'" said Stipe.
"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 REM for these 31 years; our deepest gratitude to those who allowed us to do this. It's been amazing."
> Michael Stipe 'helped Snow Patrol write album'
> REM Stipe 'grappled with contradictions'
Watch the video for REM's 'Everybody Hurts' below:
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