It's the end of my world as I know it and I don't necessarily feel fine. R.E.M. just announced earlier this week that they are done as a band. Sounds like it was all very friendly. R.E.M. never struck me as a band of egomaniac assholes as can often be the case with rock stars. No acrimonious fighting in the press like Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones (who are as far as I know still rolling) or Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith (I think they're still on but they do take breaks).
This band was really a joy to discover for me back in college. I was the Music Director of the student radio station when I came upon their E.P. Chronic Town. I thought they were rather interesting as a band. I liked their sound and when Murmur was released shortly after, I absolutely fell in love with the band. Along with U2, R.E.M. really caught on in the college music scene. No one else was bothering with them. I believe in the state of Hawaii I was probably the first person to put them on the air.
Years later as I grew up and they grew up, I still hold both bands in very high regard as they have conducted themselves with grace and dignity and have stood up for many causes I also believe in. They are most humble in their approach to their careers – despite what the right-wing nuts who hate them for the liberal causes may say out of their willful ignorance.
All things must come to an end. It's just I'm tired of many of the things I enjoy entertainment-wise coming to an end this year. I can't wait for 2011 to be over. It sort of sucked for me on many levels.
At least it's cooler and my favorite season is starting. Here's hoping for better things. And here's hoping the individual members of the band go on and create even more awesomeness. I miss them already.
[NP: R.E.M. - Pretty Persuasion]
2 comments:
I wanted so much to like REM b/c everyone I knew loved them, but their music never spoke to me at all. Much to my disappointment. Still it's sad to hear when a band breaks up. But they may miss it and get back together from time to time...don't give up hope yet. did you ever get to see them live?
Yes! I did get to see them live. When they were playing a concert with Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band at the Palace at Auburn Hills. It was a great concert!
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