by Joseph Kent

American rock band REM have split after 31 years.

On their website, the band have posted a message to their fans, which says: “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 band began in the 1980s as a four-piece band, but fell to three when drummer Bill Berry left the group in 1997.

The band’s most popular hits included ‘Losing my Religion’ and ‘Everybody Hurts’.