R.E.M., one of the most successful and innovative bands from the 80′s and 90′s, decided to call it quits and announced their breakup on their own web site. Here’s what they had to say:
“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.
This was a great band and even though they hadn’t released much of note lately (duh…that’s probably why they’re calling it a day), they had some amazing songs and lasted a very long time as a band. They’re not often mentioned in the same sentence as say the Beatles or the Rolling Stones (except maybe in this sentence). But they truly were an amazing band. I remember first listening to them in my dingy apartment in Boston while lying on my post-college futon with a cheap mattress and thinking, man these guys can rock. We’ll all miss you, R.E.M.