R.E.M. have reunited for their first band interview in 30 years, saying, ‘It’s the hardest thing we’ve had to do.’
The legendary 90s rock group amicably split up in 2011 as the individual members decided to pursue solo projects.
Over the years, they achieved huge success, winning three Grammy Awards and 12 additional nominations.
They’re also the recipients of twelve VMAs, three BRIT Awards and two Billboard Music Awards.
But, ahead of their induction into the Songwriters’ Hall Of Fame, the quartet have sat down with U.S. broadcaster CBS.
Frontman Michael Stipe, drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck and bassist Mike Mills are asked what it means to have their songwriting recognised in a clip shared to social media.
Peter replies: “We lived and died on the strength of our songs, so this is a huge honour.”
Mike adds: “It is the hardest thing that we do and it’s the thing that we’ve worked on most from the very beginning.2
And Bill says: “Because we had to. I mean really early on, just to put food on the table we had to write songs as fast as we could.”
65-year-old Bill was one of the founding members in 1980 and was widely known as the band’s drummer.
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However, he was notable for the way he left the band and the direction he chose to go next – as a farmer.
At the height of the group’s success tragedy struck as he was rushed to hospital.
In 1995, the musician suffered a ruptured cerebral aneurysm whilst performing on stage and he subsequently collapsed.
He made a full recovery after the incident at the Patinoire Auditorium in Lausanne, Switzerland.
However, two years later he chose to leave the music industry for a more modest life.
At the time, he explained that he no longer had the drive or the enjoyment levels he used to and he also decided he didn’t want to travel.
He told VH-1’s Behind the Music: “I didn’t wake up one day and decide, ‘I just can’t stand these guys anymore”‘or anything.
“I feel like I’m ready for a life change. I’m still young enough that I can do something else.”
Bill added: “I’ve been pounding the tubs since I was nine years old … I’m ready to do something else.”
He since decided to maintain a low profile, making only sporadic returns to the group as he chose instead to become a farmer.
The recording artist is the only member not to remain with the group for their entire run, although he chose to return to the industry.
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