Arts & Entertainment

R.E.M.'s Breakup: What They're Saying

Here's a glimpse at how the world is reacting to the demise of one of Athens' signature bands.

They're crying. They're laughing. They're joking. They're creating song-based puns. Fans, admirers and detractors of R.E.M. from around the world are responding to the band's . Here's a sample of the early coverage:

  • Dave Simpson of the UK's The Guardian writes: "[W]e have undoubtedly lost one of the most important and influential rock bands of the past 30 years."
  • Hollywood Reporter compiles some celebrity tweets. Among them: "Doing my best to mourn the REM breakup, even though I thought they broke up 15 years ago."
  • The Hartford Courant offers some good background and a link to a podcast about the band's album "Accelerate."
  • Tris McCall of New Jersey's Star Ledger writes: "In a sense, R.E.M. was the first truly egalitarian rock band to hit it big in America. There were no stars; no grandstanding; nobody was mixed any higher than anybody else."
  • UGA student newspaper The Red & Black has dug up what it says are "the first two articles written anywhere about R.E.M."
  • Rolling Stone has a photo gallery called "R.E.M. Through the Years."

From the R.E.M. Facebook page:

  • Noemi Casula I can't believe it. It's so unreal, I can't imagine my life withot your music. You MADE my life: I grew up with you, I'll keep your songs into my heart forever. thank you
  • Samir Gomes Tannus Your music really touched my heart. The world it's gonna miss you. Congratulations from Brazil for everything you've achieved through these years with your beautiful music! We love you, guys!
  • Mimi Major Bittick So much of your music has made up the soundtrack of my life. Thank you for many, many great years and great tunes!
  • Markus Lundquist So sad news! Expected to se you once more in sweden/europe...
    Thanks for everything you have done to my life β™₯
  • Dana Burrell You will be greatly missed. Thanks for all the memories. Your greatest fan since 1980. XXXXOOOO

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