REM Call It Quits...Or Did They?
Yesterday after 30 years, REM called it quits. They released the following statement:
"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."
The most poignant prose on the REM split was written by Michael Stipe:
"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."
I don't believe this breakup for one bit. REM has been having trouble with their label Warner Brothers for a while now. They have been struggling with the label's new demands on content and REM has never been one to just DO what you tell them. I see this more as a "fuck you" to the record company than an actual dissipation or dissolution of the band.
Prince did this a while ago with Warner Brothers when he went by that symbol to get out of releasing material under the Prince name. He got out of the contract and negotiated a more favorable one and he's back releasing as Prince. I suspect REM will do the same.
I would really recommend you pull yourself off the bridge and untie the noose because these things never stay. The key part of the press release was this gem by Peter Buck:
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.
If they broke up due to contention, like Guns N' Roses, I would say it would be harder to pull them back together, but I really see this as a label dispute and they will return in a few years.
"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."
The most poignant prose on the REM split was written by Michael Stipe:
"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."
I don't believe this breakup for one bit. REM has been having trouble with their label Warner Brothers for a while now. They have been struggling with the label's new demands on content and REM has never been one to just DO what you tell them. I see this more as a "fuck you" to the record company than an actual dissipation or dissolution of the band.
Prince did this a while ago with Warner Brothers when he went by that symbol to get out of releasing material under the Prince name. He got out of the contract and negotiated a more favorable one and he's back releasing as Prince. I suspect REM will do the same.
I would really recommend you pull yourself off the bridge and untie the noose because these things never stay. The key part of the press release was this gem by Peter Buck:
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.
If they broke up due to contention, like Guns N' Roses, I would say it would be harder to pull them back together, but I really see this as a label dispute and they will return in a few years.
So unbunch those panties and fear not REM fan. I suspect the band will return in about five years. Dare to take the over or under?
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