L.A. Times - Pop & Hiss — R.E.M., the Southern rock band hailing from Athens, Georgia, announced Wednesday morning on its website that the band is calling it quits after 31 years in the business and 15 albums. more info

VH1 Blog — R.E.M.‘s first single “Radio Free Europe” came out less than a month before MTV’s first broadcast, and since then their videos have been by turns innovative, fun, and artistic, in ways that were often uncommon at the time but totally normaliz... more info

Guardian Music — We have lost one of the most influential rock bands of the past 30 years, says Dave SimpsonREM's split is one of those announcements that will leave fans absolutely stunned, and yet, as the dust settles, it has probably been brewing for some time. In... more info

KEXP Seattle — After 31 years of working together, Athens band R.E.M. has announced on their website that the band is no more: “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 aw... more info

Perez Hilton — The alternative rock band, R.E.M., has officially split up after 31 years together, having produced 15 albums. What? Oh no! We think we're gonna lose our religion over this one… …or at least we would have had this news come out in 1995. Still, ... more info

Guardian Music — The group of childhood friends once hailed for taking indie music into the mainstream are to split after three decadesFor three decades, R.E.M. were considered one of the world's most significant rock bands but in an unexpected statement on their web... more info

CNN Showbiz — It's the end of the R.E.M. as we know them and they feel fine, according to a statement from the group posted online Wednesday. more info

NME — Seminal indie band call it a day with 'astonishment at all we have accomplished' more info

E! Online — Quick! Get yourself into the fetal position in a darkened room and put "Everybody Hurts" on a loop: R.E.M. has officially called time on being a band. Michael Stipe & Co.... more info

The Telegraph — Legendary band members release statement saying "as lifelong friends and co-conspirators, we have decided to call it a day". more info