REM decide to call it a day as a band

The band, comprising singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck and bassist Mike Mills, released their debut album, Murmur, in 1983.

Drummer Bill Berry was also in the group but left in 1997.

The online announcement said the band members “walk away with a great sense of gratitude, of finality, and of astonishment at all we have accomplished”.

Stipe added: “A wise man once said – ‘the skill in attending a party is knowing when it’s time to leave’. We built something extraordinary together.

“We did this thing. And now we’re going to walk away from it. I hope our fans realize this wasn’t an easy decision; but all things must end, and we wanted to do it right, to do it our way.

“We have to thank all the people who helped us be R.E.M. for these 31 years; our deepest gratitude to those who allowed us to do this. It’s been amazing.”

REM gained a great amount of their success in the 1990s.