R.E.M. Says They Get Along Now Because They 'Quit at the Right Time' — but Reveal They Won't Reunite Again
In an interview with 'CBS Mornings', the band opened up about why it would take "a comet" for them to get back together
CBS Mornings/YouTube
R.E.M. on 'CBS Mornings'R.E.M. doesn't want to overstay their welcome.
In an interview with CBS Mornings on Thursday, June 13, the band's original lineup — lead vocalist Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry— spoke with Anthony Mason ahead of their performance at their induction into the 2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame.
During the conversation, they opened up about what makes their dynamic work now.
CBS Mornings/YouTube
R.E.M. on 'CBS Mornings'When R.E.M. disbanded in 2011, they struggled to get along.
"At that point, there wasn't anything we could really agree on musically. What kind of music, how to record it, are we gonna go on tour? We could barely agree on where to go to dinner — and now we can just agree on where to go to dinner," Buck, 67, told the host.
Stipe, 64, added that they're now "here to tell the tale:" "We're sitting at the same table together with deep admiration and lifelong friendship. A lot of people that do this can't claim that."
Berry, 65, then teased that the reason they can all sit together is because of "ego and lawyers."
Buck added, "I think we quit at the right time. This is a really good place to finish. Great tour, great album, go home."
Beyond the Songwriters Hall of Fame, there are no plans for the "Losing My Religion" group to reunite.
In fact, Mills, 65, joked that it would take "a comet" for the band to get back together again, before Buck chimed in: "It'd never be as good."
On Thursday, June 13, R.E.M. performed for the first time together in 17 years at the Songwriters Hall of Fame's 53rd annual Induction and Awards Dinner, which took place at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.
At the event, the "Everybody Hurts" band played an acoustic version of "Losing My Religion."
The last time they had performed together was in 2007 when they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
At the Songwriters Hall of Fame on Thursday, another R.E.M. hit was featured by Grammy winner Jason Isbell who covered their 1987 classic “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)."
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Mike Mills, Michael Stipe, Bill Berry and Peter Buck, of R.E.M., perform onstage during the 2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala at New York Marriott Marquis Hotel on June 13, 2024 in New York City.Related: Patti Smith Celebrates 'Raucous and Sublime' R.E.M. on Their Anniversary: 'Spinning Art from Chaos'
When discussing their induction, Stipe waxed poetic about his relationship with his bandmates.
“Writing songs and having a catalog of work that we’re all proud of that is out there for the whole world for the rest of time is hands down the most important aspect of what we did as a band,” he said. “Second to that is that we managed to do so for all these decades and remain friends — and not just friends but dear friends, friends for life.”
He added: "What a ride it has been. It truly means the world to us that you recognize us tonight. And for that, we thank you for this incredible honor."
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