Jasper wrote:I think the band sucks balls, but even though I think they're purveyors of mealy gruel, I have the intellect and grace to admit that they had a few well-crafted songs, regardless of their namby pamby style. Not so with Michael Stipe, who's proud of his ignorance, and always happy to get some attention however he can, even by saying something as ludicrous and hypocritical as he did. So including that quote was just an extra - a way to illustrate how Michael Stipe, as a person, is a massive douche. It's certainly not an isolated incident.
Either way, good riddance to the band. I know they'll live on in radioland, played back-to-back with Billy Joel. In a few decades they'll be among the music of choice in nursing homes, if they aren't already.
![tiphat :tiphat:](./images/smilies/hat-tip.gif)
While I agree to some degree with your assessment of Michale Stipe's opinion(s) and behaviour...when you then say things like R.E.M. will be played alongside Billy Joel, YOU then sound ignorant. IF they aren't being played back-to-back with him already, they probably will be...not because they are uncool (as you are obviously implying), but because their appeal and influence on the culture runs wide and deep.
Just to name a few, they've influenced the likes of Pearl Jam, Radiohead, Nirvana, U2, Dinosaur Jr., Husker Du, The Replacements, The Smiths, The Waterboys, Sonic Youth, Butthole Surfers, Pavement, and so on.
Your opinion of R.E.M. is barely less absurd than Stipe's opinion of The Beatles.