R.E.M. was a fantastic band and I had all their cassettes, CDs, special issue records, interviews, compilations, posters, magazine articles, etc.--Most displayed on my bedroom or college dorm wall.
Once Bill Berry left in 1997, I was disappointed that they didn't hold true to their pledge of breaking up when one person wanted to leave, albeit reluctantly for health reasons. I only bought a few handful of the other post-1997 albums. "Up" an ex boyfriend gave me; I bought "Accelerate" and listened once. I was in the grocery store and their latest was on sale--I bought it and listened to it in the car on the way home.
I have seen them 17 times. I have all the concert t-shirts, still wearing them in face. The posters are rolled up though. The magazines have been recycled. The CDs aren't specially displayed any longer.
The BBC had a nice, well, obit, for the band today.
As did the New York Times.
And now I have to listen to all the albums again and again. To Michael, Mike, Bill, and Peter: you were my Beatles and I love you and your music. Thanks for allowing me to grow up with you, to learn more about the world and issues and humanity.
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