Impromptu The rare band that knew when to walk away
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Jul 11, 2025 Will Leitch, a contributor to The Washington Post and occasional grocery store encounter of R.E.M. members, examines the band's remarkable choice to retire at their peak. He discusses how this decision contrasts with many bands that continue for fame. Their legacy endures through the music, free from the pressures of endless tours. Leitch reflects on the balance of commercial success versus artistic integrity, highlighting the nostalgia and contentment found in knowing when to step away.
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R.E.M. Quit at Their Peak
- R.E.M. stopped playing together right after their last album in 2011, resisting nostalgia tours common among bands of their scale.
- They explicitly refuse to reunite, valuing the integrity of their peak performance period.
R.E.M. Members Blend Quietly
- Will Leitch shares a personal story of meeting R.E.M. drummer Bill Berry, highlighting their down-to-earth nature.
- Despite their huge fame, band members blend into daily life anonymously in their hometown Athens, Georgia.
Refusing Nostalgia Tours
- R.E.M. chose not to reunite because they believe it would never be as good as before.
- This contrasts with many aging rock stars who continue touring despite declining performance quality.